In this episode of Teach. Task Box. Inspire. , Lisa Hollady breaks down exactly how to tackle student IEPs before the school year starts—without the overwhelm. Learn which parts of the IEP to focus on, what to highlight for planning, and what actions to take before Day One. Plus, Lisa shares how to create a powerful IEP-at-a-glance sheet that will save you time, streamline communication with your team, and ensure your students get what they need right from the start. Resources Mentioned: IEP-at-...
Jul 21, 2025•13 min•Ep. 90
In this episode, Lisa Hollady breaks down exactly what to teach, practice, and model during the critical first 10 days of school—whether you’re in an inclusion setting or a self-contained classroom. From building routines to setting expectations, Lisa shares how to intentionally structure the start of the year to promote independence, reduce behavior issues, and lay the foundation for a successful school year. You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a plan you can implement immediately. R...
Jul 14, 2025•13 min•Ep. 89
In this episode, Lisa Hollady shares how to flip your summer planning strategy and start with the end in mind. Instead of scrambling in September, learn what systems, visuals, routines, and materials you can prep now —even if you don’t have your student list yet. This episode is packed with practical tips that help you simplify, prioritize, and walk into the school year with calm confidence and clarity. Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Y...
Jul 07, 2025•13 min•Ep. 88
In this behind-the-scenes episode, Lisa Hollady walks you through everything inside the Teach. Task Box. Inspire. Membership—and why it’s the go-to monthly resource for special education teachers looking for low-prep, high-impact support. Whether you're in a self-contained setting or pushing into gen ed classrooms, this episode unpacks how the membership saves time, supports IEP goals, and builds independence for your students—all without the overwhelm. Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simp...
Jul 03, 2025•10 min•Ep. 87
In this real-talk episode, Lisa Hollady gets honest about what self-care actually means for special education teachers. And no—it’s not about spa days or fancy candles. It’s about setting boundaries, building routines, creating systems, and learning to say “no” without the guilt. If you’re feeling burned out or already running on empty, this episode is your reminder to hit reset and focus on what really matters—with practical tips you can use right in your classroom. Show Notes: https://chalkboa...
Jun 23, 2025•13 min•Ep. 86
Let’s talk sensory! In this episode, I’m breaking down how sensory processing impacts everything—behavior, learning, focus, you name it. It’s not something to save for last on your checklist—it should be the first thing we think about when a student is struggling. I walk you through the Sensory Pyramid (aka the Pyramid of Learning), explain the eight sensory systems in plain language, and share real stories from my classroom to show how what looks like “misbehavior” is often really dysregulation...
Jun 16, 2025•12 min•Ep. 85
Let’s be real—transitions are hard. And for our students with disabilities who rely on structure and routine, the end of the school year can feel extra tricky. In this episode, I’m sharing some of my favorite tips and tools that have helped make those big changes a little smoother—for both students and teachers! I’ll talk about things like visual countdowns, social stories, transition visits, and fun ways to celebrate how far our kids have come. Whether your students are heading into summer or g...
Jun 09, 2025•13 min•Ep. 84
In this honest and heartfelt episode, Lisa shares an important truth: if you no longer love your role as a special education teacher, it’s okay to make a change. Whether that means switching grade levels, moving to a new building, stepping into a different role, or even leaving special education entirely—your happiness, mental health, and sense of purpose matter. This episode offers a mix of personal reflection, tough love, and gentle permission to stop staying in spaces that drain you. Because ...
Jun 02, 2025•11 min•Ep. 83
In this end-of-year episode of Teach Task Box Inspire , Lisa shares her top sanity-saving tips for surviving the chaos of May as a special education teacher. From last-minute IEP meetings and behavior spikes to packing up the classroom and navigating unpredictable schedules, May is no joke—but you don’t have to go it alone. Lisa offers practical strategies, real classroom stories, and gentle reminders to help you stay grounded, lighten your load, and finish the year with intention (and maybe eve...
May 26, 2025•12 min•Ep. 82
In this heartfelt and informative episode, Lisa dives into the CDC’s new statistic that 1 in every 31 children is now diagnosed with autism by age 8. Rather than fueling fear, she breaks down what this number actually represents: progress in awareness, diagnosis, and inclusion. Through relatable stories from the classroom, examples of real students, and practical tips, Lisa helps listeners understand why this isn’t a crisis—it’s a sign that more kids are finally being seen and supported. Whether...
May 19, 2025•11 min•Ep. 81
In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire , I’m diving into one of my favorite (and totally underrated!) strategies— errorless learning . I’ll walk you through what it actually is, who it works best for, and how you can start using it confidently in your classroom. Whether you’re working with early learners, students with Autism, or kids who just shut down when they make mistakes—this strategy can be a total game changer. From worksheets to task boxes, adapted books to file folder games, I’m s...
May 12, 2025•14 min•Ep. 80
In this episode, Lisa gets real about work-life balance—and why the traditional idea of it just doesn’t work for busy educators. Instead of aiming for perfection or stressing about keeping work inside a perfect time block, she shares practical tips for managing stress, protecting your peace, and finding more joy in your day-to-day. With honest stories (yes, even those late-night laminating sessions), mindset shifts like GETMO and hygge, and a whole lot of encouragement, this episode feels like a...
May 05, 2025•11 min•Ep. 79
In Episode 78 of Teach, Task Box, Inspire , we’re getting real about one of the hardest parts of the job—dealing with difficult adults. Whether it’s a tough administrator, a coworker who pushes your buttons, or a parent who just won’t hear you out, these situations can leave you feeling drained and defeated. I’m sharing some of my own experiences (the good, the bad, and the messy) and the strategies I’ve learned to help you stay calm, set boundaries, and keep your peace. We’ll talk about how to ...
Apr 28, 2025•11 min•Ep. 78
In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire , we're talking all about reinforcement—what it is, what it isn’t, and why getting it right really matters. I’m breaking down some of the most common mistakes we all make (yep, I’ve made them too!) and how these can actually make challenging behaviors stick around longer. Reinforcement isn’t just about sticker charts or token boards—it’s at the heart of why our students learn new skills or why tough behaviors keep showing up. I’ll walk you through the ...
Apr 21, 2025•12 min•Ep. 77
In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, we’re getting real about co-teaching in special education. Let’s be honest—it’s not always easy. Figuring out roles, juggling teaching styles, and looping in paras can feel like a total whirlwind. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. I’m sharing some practical strategies that have helped me turn the chaos into true collaboration—things like rotating teaching models, setting clear roles, and actually involving paras in the planning (yes, it makes a hu...
Apr 14, 2025•11 min•Ep. 76
In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, we're talking all about mini-schedules — and why they’re a total game-changer in the special ed classroom. I’m diving into how they can help reduce behavior challenges, build independence, and make those tricky transitions a whole lot smoother. I’ll share real examples from my classroom (and a few from real life!) to show just how natural and helpful mini-schedules really are. You won’t want to miss this one! Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simp...
Apr 07, 2025•14 min•Ep. 75
Visual boundaries are a game-changer when it comes to behavior management in a special education classroom. They help students stay focused, reduce distractions, and clearly understand expectations. In this episode, we’re diving into what visual boundaries are, why they’re so effective, and how you can easily implement them in your classroom. From using tape to define personal space to setting up labeled workstations and calming areas, these simple strategies create a structured, supportive envi...
Mar 31, 2025•12 min•Ep. 74
Classroom procedures are the foundation of a smooth and structured learning environment. In this episode, I’m sharing tried-and-true strategies that will help minimize disruptions, keep students engaged, and create seamless daily routines. From using hand signals and attention-getters to managing transitions and setting up early finisher activities, these practical tips will make a big difference in how your classroom runs. Whether you want to streamline arrival and dismissal or build student in...
Mar 24, 2025•10 min•Ep. 73
Specials classes—like art, PE, music, and technology—are often the best part of the day, but for students with special needs, they can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this episode, Lisa Hollady shares real, practical strategies to help students succeed in specials. From using visual supports to adapting activities and working closely with specials teachers, she covers it all. Whether you teach in an inclusion setting or a self-contained classroom, these tips will help your students feel more con...
Mar 17, 2025•13 min•Ep. 72
Welcoming a new student mid-year can be a challenge, especially when you’re balancing push-in support with your existing caseload. In this episode, veteran special education teacher Lisa Hollady shares practical, real-world strategies to make the transition as smooth as possible—for both the student and the classroom. She breaks down what works, from reviewing the IEP and creating a quick-reference IEP-at-a-Glance to building a strong partnership with the gen ed teacher and reinforcing expectati...
Mar 10, 2025•13 min•Ep. 71
In this Teach Task Box Inspire episode , Lisa Hollady explores the critical differences between accommodations and modifications, two essential components of every special education teacher's toolbox. Accommodations provide students with the tools they need to access the same content as their peers, while modifications adjust the curriculum to meet a student’s unique needs. Lisa shares real-world examples, such as sensory supports, text-to-speech systems, and alternate curricula, while offering ...
Mar 03, 2025•14 min•Ep. 70
In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire , Lisa Hollady shares practical tips to help special education teachers end their day feeling organized. From tidying up to prepping materials and resetting data sheets, these strategies make the next school day smoother. With just 15–20 minutes of focused effort, teachers can leave stress-free and ready for tomorrow! Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: h...
Feb 24, 2025•12 min•Ep. 69
In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire , Lisa is breaking down the prompt hierarchy and why fading prompts is key to building student independence. It’s so easy to over-prompt without realizing it, and that can actually hold students back instead of helping them grow. Lisa walks through the seven levels of prompting, common mistakes we all make, and simple, effective ways to fade prompts so students can gain confidence and independence. If you want to help your students do more on their own...
Feb 17, 2025•13 min•Ep. 68
In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire , Lisa Hollady breaks down what the Teach Task Box Inspire Membership is all about—giving special education teachers ready-to-use, differentiated task boxes to support their students. She invites listeners to share ideas for future task box themes and skills and announces an exciting new plan to feature real teachers on the podcast to share their stories and tips. Plus, she gives a sneak peek at upcoming resources and highlights how working together as...
Feb 10, 2025•10 min•Ep. 67
In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, Lisa dives into the art of fading prompts to help students become more independent. She breaks down the different types of prompts, explains how to use a prompt hierarchy effectively, and shares strategies for gradually fading support. With real-life examples and practical tips for handling common challenges, Lisa gives educators the tools they need to guide students toward self-reliance. Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways ...
Feb 03, 2025•11 min•Ep. 66
This week on Teach, Task Box, Inspire, Lisa dives into a really important topic—executive function skills—and how they impact students in the classroom. She breaks down what these skills actually are, shares some relatable classroom moments, and offers simple, practical tips to help kids strengthen them. Lisa’s all about fostering independence and giving students the tools they need to succeed, not just in school, but in life. If you’re looking for easy ways to support students who struggle with...
Jan 27, 2025•11 min•Ep. 65
In this episode, we explore practical tools that empower educators to manage behaviors effectively in special education classrooms. From behavior-specific praise and token economies to social stories and calming corners, this episode provides actionable strategies to create a structured and supportive environment. Real-life examples and troubleshooting tips help educators navigate challenges and build positive relationships with their students, ensuring both academic and behavioral success. Reso...
Jan 20, 2025•16 min•Ep. 64
In this episode, we dive into how engagement can transform student learning and behavior in the classroom. By using high-interest topics, task boxes, movement, and real-world connections, we can help spark excitement and keep students focused. You'll walk away with practical strategies and real-life examples to create a lively and engaged classroom environment. Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes:...
Jan 13, 2025•14 min•Ep. 63
In this insightful episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, host Lisa Hollady welcomes Amanda Matsumoto, a high school speech and language pathologist with a caseload of over 60 students. Amanda brings a wealth of experience from her work in ABA therapy, outpatient facilities, and as a head softball coach. She shares her expertise on fostering meaningful connections with students and the impactful role of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices in empowering communication. Packed with...
Jan 06, 2025•29 min•Ep. 62
In this milestone episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, host Lisa Hollady welcomes her first-ever guest, Kelsey Baughman, an experienced special education teacher with eight years of expertise in a school where all students have special needs. Together, they dive into the critical topic of student advocacy, exploring what it means to truly champion your students’ needs, strengths, and voices. Kelsey shares powerful insights from her experience and practical strategies for advocating effectively, bo...
Dec 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 61
