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5 Powerful Mindset Shifts for Special Education Teachers

• Episode 179

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In this episode of Special Education for Beginners, Jennifer discusses the vital role of mindset in the life of a special education teacher. This isn’t just another pep talk about staying positive—Jennifer tackles the real, sometimes overwhelming challenges that come with the job and shares how adopting the right mindset can make all the difference.

From embracing the new school year as a fresh start, setting goals and practicing self-compassion, she offers five powerful mindset shifts that can help you navigate the ups and downs of teaching with resilience and purpose. Tune in to learn how to reclaim your joy and passion for teaching, even on the toughest days.

Key Talking Points:

  1. Mindset Shift #1: Embrace the New Year as a Fresh Start
    • The first mindset shift involves seeing each school year as a new opportunity to grow and make a difference. Jennifer encourages teachers to set positive intentions, visualize successes, and focus on the potential of the year ahead rather than dwelling on past difficulties.
  2. Mindset Shift #2: Focus on What You Can Control
    • Jennifer shares her personal struggle with the need for control and how letting go of what’s beyond her control significantly reduced her stress. This shift helps teachers conserve their energy for what truly matters, like student engagement and personal well-being.
  3. Mindset Shift #3: Celebrate the Small Things
    • The third shift is about recognizing and celebrating small victories, both for teachers and students. Jennifer explains how this practice can boost morale, reinforce a positive mindset, and serve as motivation throughout the school year.
  4. Mindset Shift #4: Surround Yourself with Positivity
    • Jennifer discusses the impact of environment on mindset and offers practical tips for surrounding yourself with positive influences, whether through colleagues, media, or personal spaces.
  5. Mindset Shift #5: Practice Self-Compassion
    • The final mindset shift focuses on self-compassion, reminding teachers that it’s okay to have bad days. Jennifer encourages teachers to develop self-care routines that allow them to recharge and maintain their well-being.

The challenges of teaching in special education are very real and maintaining the right mindset can help you navigate these challenges and ultimately lead to a more fulfilling and joyful teaching experience.

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a colleague who might benefit from these mindset shifts. Let’s start this school year strong—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.  





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Speaker 1:

Well, hey there, welcome back to another episode of Special Education for Beginners. I'm your host, Jennifer, and today I want to talk to you about something that is absolutely vital for your success as a special education teacher your mindset. Now I know what you might be thinking oh great, another pep talk about staying positive no matter what. But that's not where I'm going with this. Not in the way that just glosses over the very real challenges that we face in our classrooms every single day, not in a just think happy thoughts and everything will be fine kind of way. That's not helpful, and we both know it. We deal with complex situations, heavy responsibilities, extreme behaviors, and are constantly putting out little fires and sometimes big fires all day long, and the emotional toll we have on us can feel like it's too much to bear sometimes. But instead I want you to dive into how your mindset, your real, authentic approach to the daily ups and downs, can shape your entire experience as a teacher. I'm talking about a mindset that acknowledges the hard days, that recognizes when you're in a funk, but also knows that staying there isn't an option. This is about empowering you to reclaim your joy and your purpose, even when the going gets tough. You see, mindset isn't just about staying positive. It's about how you respond to the inevitable challenges that come your way. It's about finding that balance between being realistic and maintaining hope, and today I'm going to share with you five powerful mindset shifts that can really make the difference as you head back into the classroom this school year. So let's get started. Hey, special educator, are you overwhelmed by the absurd amount of paperwork on your to-do list? Do you wish you had the skills to build a rock solid team with your staff? Do you find yourself scouring the internet for how to meet the needs of each student on your caseload? Well, hey there. I'm Jennifer Hopper, an award-winning veteran special education teacher and current instructional coach, who has walked in your shoes through each of these challenges, and, yes, I have the metaphorical blisters to prove it. I have cried your tears and felt your pain, and now I'm here to support you in the way I wish someone would have been there to support me. Listen in each week as my guests and I dish out practical wisdom, to help you handle all the classroom curveballs that are thrown at you and learn how to laugh in spite of the chaos, to celebrate those small yet significant victories that only a special educator can understand. So are you ready? Wipe your tears and put on your superhero cape, because together we are going to learn how to survive and thrive in the ever crazy, completely overwhelming laugh. So you don't cry. Profession of being a special education teacher All right, so let's talk mindset.

Speaker 1:

It has always been my belief that mindset is a choice. You either choose to be a positive person or you choose to be a negative person. You always see the silver lining or you always see doom and gloom. In fact, I tell my husband that I'm the positive one and he's the negative Nellie in our relationship. Of course, he disagrees and says that he's just a realist. But when someone cuts him off in traffic, negative Nellie shines through like clockwork. But here's the thing I need to debunk that idea. It's not always as simple as being positive or negative, and it's not fair to box ourselves into one category or the other. The truth is, we all have moments where negativity creeps in. Even the most optimistic people can feel down, frustrated or overwhelmed at times, and that's okay. Mindset isn't about being blindly positive or pretending everything is perfect. It's about how we choose to respond to the situations life throws at us. It's about acknowledging when things are tough, allowing ourselves to feel those emotions, but then making a conscious choice not to stay stuck in that place. Now, for me, mindset has been more about finding balance, about recognizing when my own negative Nellie is making an appearance and deciding just how long I'm going to let her stay. It's about choosing to see the bigger picture, finding solutions and focusing on what I can control rather than what I can't. And that's why I wanted to talk about mindset today, and I want to share a personal story with you.

Speaker 1:

When I was a kid, starting at the age of four, when I began kindergarten because, yes, that was a thing back then I absolutely loved the first weeks of school. I would be so excited to wear my new clothes, to show off my new shoes, and that feeling of a fresh start just filled me with pure joy and anticipation. I couldn't wait to meet my new teacher, see my friends play at recess and dive into all the new things I would learn. But then, after a particularly rough third grade year, that excitement started to shift. I began to feel more nervous about the start of a school year. I began to feel more nervous about the start of a school year. The joy and anticipation were replaced with dread and worry. I remember worrying about who my teacher would be and what kinds of things she would say to me, what the classroom would be like, and whether or not I would have friends in my class. Instead of counting down the days with excitement, I found myself wishing that summer would just slow down and last a little bit longer.

Speaker 1:

When I became a teacher, though, that excitement came flooding back. The start of every school year once again felt like a fresh beginning. The smell of lamination, the clean whiteboards, the blank slate it all made me feel like I could conquer the world. There was something so energizing about preparing my classroom, planning those lessons and imagining all the possibilities that the year could bring. But somewhere along the way, that excitement started to fade. The stress of the job, the never-ending to-do lists, the pressure to meet every student's needs it all started to weigh on me, and by the time July rolled around, instead of feeling that familiar excitement, I felt a sense of doom. I had become, in some ways, my own negative Nellie.

Speaker 1:

I realized that my mindset had shifted, but not in a good way, and I realized I needed to make a change. I knew that if I continued down that path, not only would it affect my happiness, but it would also impact my ability to be the teacher my students needed. So I started to work on my mindset really work on it, and I can honestly say that it has transformed the way I approach each school year, and that's why I want to share with you today five powerful mindset shifts that have helped me reclaim my joy in education and that I believe can help you, too, as you prepare for the new school year. And these aren't just quick fixes. They are shifts that help you navigate the inevitable challenges that come with our job, while keeping your passion and your positivity intact. So mindset shift number one is to embrace the new year as a fresh start.

Speaker 1:

It's easy to get bogged down by the challenges of previous years, the difficult moments, the setbacks, the things that did not go as planned, but each year truly is a new opportunity to make a difference, not just in your students' lives, but in your own professional journey as well. Instead of dwelling on what didn't go well last year, focus on the potential of the year ahead. You have an entire year ahead of you, filled with possibilities. This is your chance to leave behind any frustrations or disappointments from the past and embrace the excitement of what's to come. I want you to set positive intentions for this school year. What do you want to accomplish? What successes do you want to see? I want you to visualize those successes, not just for yourself, but for your students as well. Picture your classroom as a place where students feel safe, supported and eager to learn. Imagine the smiles on their faces when they grasp a new concept or overcome a challenge.

Speaker 1:

And then I want you to choose a goal for yourself, something that will keep you motivated throughout the year. It could be related to student achievement, like helping a particular student reach a milestone, or it could just be something more personal, like improving your work life balance, or trying out a new teaching strategy, or doing something better on your paperwork. Whatever it is, write it on a sticky note, put it somewhere you can see it daily and let that goal be your guiding light when things get tough. The fresh start is a chance to implement new strategies, build new relationships and create an environment where everyone can thrive. It's about being intentional with your time and energy, focusing on what you can control and letting go of what you can't, which brings me to mindset shift.

Speaker 1:

Number two focus on what you can control. What you can control, and this one was really hard for me in the beginning, because I have a need for control. I've always been the type of person who likes to have a plan, to know what's coming next and to be prepared for every possible scenario. But the reality of teaching, especially in special education, is that things don't always go according to plan. Students have off days, lessons don't go the way you had hoped and unexpected challenges pop up all the time, and that's where my need for control would clash with the unpredictable nature of the job, leading to a lot of unnecessary stress. We all know that stress is a huge part of teaching, especially in SPED, but a lot of that stress comes from trying to control things that are beyond our control, whether it's district policies that suddenly change, parent expectations that feel impossible to meet, or unexpected changes in a student's behavior that throw off your entire day. What helped me tremendously was learning to focus on what I can control my attitude, my preparation and my response to challenges.

Speaker 1:

Now, this wasn't an overnight change. It did take some time, and it's something I still work on, but once I started to let go of the need to control everything. I noticed a significant reduction in my stress levels when you shift your focus in this way. It reduces stress because you're not wasting energy on things that you can't change. You start to reserve that energy for what really matters how to show up for your students, how to adapt to change and how you can take care of yourself in the process. So by focusing on what's within your control, you empower yourself to handle whatever comes your way with grace and resilience. And while it might not completely eliminate your stress, it certainly helps to keep it at a manageable level, allowing you to maintain your well-being and continue to be the effective, caring teacher that your students need.

Speaker 1:

Mindset shift number three is to celebrate the small things. In the craziness of teaching, it is easy to focus on the big goals, the ones that take months or even the entire school year to achieve Heck, that's the way our IEPs are written is a year-long goal. But by only looking at the end result, we often overlook the small victories that happen every day. Celebrating those small wins means recognizing and appreciating the little moments of progress, no matter how minor they might seem. Maybe it's a student finally mastering a difficult concept, or perhaps it's successfully managing a challenging behavior one day out of five that you've been working on for weeks. Maybe it's a child finally learning how to open their milk carton by themselves, or how, or transitioning in the hallway without putting their hands on another person. These small successes are the building blocks of larger achievements, and they deserve to be acknowledged. So make it a habit to celebrate these moments. It not only boosts your morale, but it also reinforces a positive mindset for you and your team. It's a reminder that progress is being made, even if it's slow, and that your efforts are making a difference. This approach will help you shift your focus from what still needs to be done to what has already been accomplished, which is incredibly motivating. And a practical way to do this is to keep a win journal where you jot down at least one positive thing that happened each day. It could be as simple as a student's smile, a lesson that went well or a moment of connection with a colleague. Reflecting on these small wins can help you end each day on a positive note and help keep you motivated for the next day. And celebrating small wins doesn't just benefit you. It also has that ripple effect on your students and your staff and when they see that you notice and appreciate their progress, no matter how small, it encourages them to keep trying and reinforces their own growth mindset.

Speaker 1:

Mindset shift number four is to surround yourself with positivity. Roy T Bennett once said distance yourself from negative people who try to lower your motivation and decrease your ambition. Create space for positive people to come into your life. Surround yourself with positive people who believe in your dreams, encourage your ideas, support your ambitions and bring out the best in you. One of the worst things you can do for your mental well-being is hang out in a negative environment. Your environment plays a huge role in shaping your mindset. If you are constantly surrounded by negativity, whether it's from air, quote, friends, colleagues, social media or even your own thoughts, it's going to be tough to maintain a positive outlook. So make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positivity. Seek out colleagues who uplift and inspire you. Listen to podcasts, read books or watch videos that motivate you. You could even create a positivity board that you keep in your classroom, filled with quotes, photos and reminders of why you love teaching. This simple shift in your environment can have a profound impact on your mindset and your overall happiness. And then mindset shift.

Speaker 1:

Number five is to practice self-compassion. Number five is to practice self-compassion. It's okay to have bad days. It's okay to feel overwhelmed or frustrated. What's not okay is staying in that funk. We often give our students grace and understanding, but we forget to give that same compassion to ourselves. Self-compassion means allowing yourself to feel what you're feeling, but not letting those feelings define you. It's about acknowledging that you're doing the best you can and that's enough. When you practice self-compassion, you give yourself the space to regroup, recharge and move forward. Develop a self-care routine that works for you, whether it's taking a walk, journaling or simply just taking a few minutes each day to breathe and reflect. By taking care of yourself, you're better equipped to take care of your students. So there you have it five mindset shifts that can help you start this school year with positivity and purpose.

Speaker 1:

So let's recap. Number one is to embrace the new year as a fresh start. Recap Number one is to embrace the new year as a fresh start. Number two is to focus on what you can control. Number three is to celebrate the small things. Number four is to surround yourself with positivity. And number five is to practice self compassion. Remember, this school year can be as positive or challenging as you allow it to be. Your mindset is the key, and I know there's going to be tough days, but I also know that with the right mindset, you can navigate those challenges and come out stronger on the other side. So thanks so much for joining me today. I hope these tips help you as you prepare for the new school year.