This week’s episode is a little different because it’s not about us as teachers. It’s about the incredible individuals who support us and our students every single day: our paraprofessionals.

Throughout July, we've been focusing into how to build strong para-teacher relationships, and in this episode, we’re hearing directly from the voices that matter most. I asked a group of current and former paraprofessionals five powerful questions about their roles, challenges, and what they need from their supervising teachers—and their answers were honest, heartfelt, and eye-opening.

✨ Inside this episode, we explore:

• What makes a para feel valued and respected
• The misunderstandings teachers often have about their role
• What paras wish would change in the way they collaborate with teachers
• Why input, clarity, and recognition matter more than you might think
• How we can better provide the training and tools they truly need

💡 You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to create a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative environment for your paras—and why doing so leads to better outcomes for your entire classroom.

🎧 Whether you’re new to working with paras or want to strengthen your existing team dynamic, this episode is a must-listen.

Get the FREE 10-Step Guide to Begin Creating a TEAM Culture With Your Staff

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

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This is the 3rd installment of the paraprofessional series for July.

In this episode of Special Education for Beginners, we’re tackling one of the toughest (but most necessary) parts of leading a team—what to do when a paraprofessional is disengaged, resistant, or just not meeting expectations.

If you’ve ever avoided a hard conversation, felt frustrated but unsure how to speak up, or simply wished you had the words and tools to handle tricky para situations… this episode is for you.

We’ll cover:

✅ Common signs of disengagement or burnout
✅ How to lead with both accountability and compassion
✅ A simple 3-step feedback framework: Observe, Ask, Collaborate
✅ What redirection and support can look like in real time
✅ A mini training idea you can use on the spot
✅ Why support doesn’t mean lowering expectations—it means raising your leadership

Plus, I’ll walk you through how to access a FREE bundle of tools to help make these courageous conversations easier. It includes:

• Courageous Conversation Starters
• Para Expectations Checklist
• Actionable Tips for Para Effectiveness
• A List of Practical Para Training Topics

💌 Join my email list at www.spedprepacademy.com/conversations to get access to free tools!

Remember, you don’t have to handle these challenges alone. Let’s grow into stronger, more confident leaders—together.

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

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Welcome back to our July podcast series all about working with paraprofessionals!

Last week in Episode 217, we talked about making the mindset shift from boss to leader. And this week, we’re building on that foundation with one of the most practical skills you can master as a special educator: delegating.

If you’ve ever thought, “It’s just easier to do it myself,” or if you’ve assigned a task and then felt frustrated when it wasn’t done right—this episode is for you.

In this episode, Jennifer shares:

• Why delegation is a skill that builds confidence, not control
• Her “5W + H” formula for giving clear, respectful directions
• The glitter door debacle that taught her the power of being specific
• Real-life examples of how vague vs. clear delegation changes everything
• A free downloadable toolkit to help you plan and organize delegation tasks

When done right, delegating doesn’t just free up your time—it builds trust, ownership, and confidence within your classroom team. It turns your paras into true collaborators instead of passive assistants.

🎤 Don’t forget:
Jennifer will be presenting at the Autism Little Learners Virtual Summit July 14–16. Her session, The Power of Us: Strengthening Team Dynamics in Special Education, is packed with tools, templates, and strategies to help you become the confident leader your team needs.
👉 Sign up free at spedprepacademy.com/summit

Writing individual impact statements based on a student’s unique disability and needs can be a big struggle AND a big time suck.! And in case you haven't noticed...extra time is not something you have a lot of.

My IEP Impact Statements Growing Bundle will give you the resources you need to make writing impact statements a breeze.

Sign up to be notified each time a new episode airs and get access to all the discounts!

Don't forget to leave a review of the show!

Follow Jennifer
Instagram
TPT