Special Education for Beginners | Managing Paraprofessionals, Special Education Strategies, First Year Sped Teachers, Special Ed Overwhelm, Paperwork for Special Education Teachers

Before You Close the Door: Reflecting on The School Year

• Episode 213

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In this first episode of our Summer Strategies for Special Educators series, we’re taking a pause before the full summer reset begins. Whether your classroom is already packed up or you're heading into Extended School Year, this is the perfect moment to reflect on the past year. 

  • What went well? 
  • What could have gone better? 
  • And what absolutely crashed and burned?

Jennifer walks you through a simple, reflective framework designed just for special educators. You'll review key areas like paraprofessionals, instruction, routines, IEPs, and communication—then identify what worked, what needs tweaking, and how to use those insights to set a few meaningful goals for the next school year.

Grab your printable reflection chart, or sketch it out on paper and follow along as we break down the year—one area at a time.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

  • Why reflection is the most important first step to planning for next year
  • How to use a simple 4-column chart to reflect on eight key areas of your role
  • What questions to ask yourself to dig deeper into what worked (and what didn’t)
  • How to turn honest reflection into realistic, actionable goals

Reflection Chart Columns:

  • 🟢 Nailed It – What worked well this year?
  • 🟡 Could Do Better – What could use a little tweaking?
  • 🔴 Crashed & Burned – What needs to go or be totally reworked?

Reflection Areas Covered:

  • Paraprofessionals
  • Instruction
  • Routines & Procedures
  • Data Collection
  • IEP Management
  • Behavior Support
  • Scheduling
  • Communication

🎯 Final Task:
After completing your chart, choose 2–3 intentional goals to carry into next year—just for you. Use the clarity you’ve gained today to support the version of yourself that will show up next fall with purpose and peace of mind.

📄 Grab the Free Printable:
Download the End-of-Year Reflection Chart from the show notes and use it now—or save it in your planner for a quieter moment this summer. It’s one of the best gifts you can give your future self!

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 and welcome back to Special Education for Beginners. I'm Jennifer, your host, and today we are kicking off a brand new month and, with it, a brand new podcast theme. It's June, which means for many of us, the school year is already in the rearview mirror and, if not, it will be winding down soon. Whether you are closing out your room, transitioning into ESY or just enjoying that first deep breath of summer, this month is all about summer strategies for special educators. Today's episode is all about reflection, because, before we start thinking ahead to next year, or even before we try to rest and recharge, it's helpful to take a moment to look back what actually worked this year and what didn't, where were you successful and where were you derailed. So grab a notebook, take this, walk with me down memory lane and let's unpack the wins, the struggles and how to use all of that to build a stronger school year next time around. Let's get to it. 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 Hopperberg, 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 sodon't-cry profession of being a special education teacher.

Speaker 1:

So, as special educators, our roles are so layered. We really just do so much in addition to teaching. We are responsible for managing paraprofessionals, collecting data, running instruction groups, supporting behaviors, writing IEPs and trying to communicate with a dozen people at once every single day, and I don't need to tell you everything you do. I know you already know that, but there are aspects of what we do that we may be doing really well at, while there are other areas where we are just barely keeping our heads above water or maybe even sinking a little. That's totally normal. It's very, very rare to find a teacher who excels in every single area all the time.

Speaker 1:

The truth is, we wear so many different hats that it's impossible for everything to be perfect all the time, and that's why this kind of reflection that I want to do with you today is so important. It gives you a chance to pause and look at the big picture, instead of just coasting into summer and promising ourselves we'll figure it out next year. We're going to intentionally take some time to really examine what's working, what needs tweaking and what might need a total overhaul, because when you look at each part of your role individually, it really becomes a lot easier to celebrate your wins and identify small, manageable ways where you can grow All right. So instead of just asking how was your year and asking you to reflect on it, I want to help you do your reflection in a more meaningful way. We're going to break it down. We're going to reflect on several different areas of your program and, don't worry, this isn't about judgment. It's about clarity, because when we take time to reflect across all of these areas, we will be better equipped to plan for next year with intention and confidence.

Speaker 1:

So grab a piece of paper and sketch one out for yourself. I'm going to walk you through it or, if you want, you can go to the show notes and print out the reflection resource that I provided for you. So on the chart, there are four columns and nine rows. The columns are titled reflection area nailed it could do better and crashed and burned. And then, under the reflection area, the eight remaining rows are titled with all of those hats you wear, I have paraprofessionals, instruction, routines and procedures, data collection, iep management, behavior support, scheduling and then communication. Now, not all of these might apply to you, and if that's the case, just cross one off. And if there's an area that's specific to your role, your setting or even your own goals this year that isn't on there, feel free to add it. Maybe you took on transition planning, maybe you are doing co-teaching or mentoring new teachers or managing assistive technology. Whatever it is, this tool is flexible and meant to work for you. Okay, so let's start on a high note. What worked for you this year. This is your chance to celebrate the wins, big or small. As I walk through each reflection area, think about what felt smooth, successful or just better than the year before and write those down in the nailed it column For paraprofessionals you might consider did your team work well together?

Speaker 1:

Maybe you created a schedule that finally stuck? Maybe you trained your paras more intentionally or built stronger relationships? Did they feel supported or even take on more leadership? In the next row, instruction, were there small group lessons that clicked? Did your students show growth? Maybe you try to do strategy like using more visuals, scaffolding or co-teaching, and it made a difference For routines and procedures. Think about your daily flow. Did arrival, transitions or packing up go smoother this year? Maybe you implemented a visual schedule that actually worked or practiced routines until they stuck.

Speaker 1:

For data collection, did you finally find a system that worked for you? Maybe you kept up with progress monitoring more consistently. Maybe you used a new form that worked better or you trained your paras to help with documentation For IEP management. Were you more prepared for your meetings this year? Maybe you started drafting present levels earlier or kept track of deadlines better or used templates that saved time For behavior support. Ask yourself. Did you use a behavior plan that actually worked? Maybe you had fewer referrals, maybe you found a new way to reinforce positive behaviors, or you just felt more confident in handling those tough moments. For scheduling, did you make a schedule that didn't need redoing every two weeks? Maybe you found a rhythm that worked for services, inclusion and small groups, or you could have used a digital tool that made it easier. And then, for communication, did you connect more consistently with parents? Maybe you started using a communication log, shared wins more often, or improved collaboration with general education teachers.

Speaker 1:

Take a moment to fill in the wins for each of those areas. Even if it wasn't perfect, if it was better than last year or made your day easier, it belongs in the nailed it column. I want you to celebrate it. Now that you've celebrated your wins in the nailed it column, let's shift into the next two sections. Could do better and crashed and burned. Now remember, reflecting on what didn't go quite as well isn't about beating yourself up, it's about growing. So keep that in mind as we work through the next two columns.

Speaker 1:

So on paraprofessionals, I want you to think about what you could do better and what crashed and burned. Maybe you didn't hold as many check-ins or team huddles as you intended. Maybe roles weren't as clearly defined as they could have been. And then on crashed and burned, maybe you had major scheduling issues or inconsistent support or communication breakdowns that left everyone frustrated. For instruction on could do better. Maybe your small group instruction was okay but a little bit inconsistent. Or you struggled to differentiate the way you wanted For crashed and burned, maybe you had groups that never got off the ground, plans you never implemented or a subject you felt totally unprepared to teach. For routines and procedures, maybe you had good intentions but forgot to reteach routines after winter break. Or you didn't have time to build them strong in August. Maybe your students never really grasped your expectations or chaos was the daily norm during transitions.

Speaker 1:

For data collection, what could you do better? Maybe you started strong but fizzled out mid-year. Or maybe your data wasn't as organized as you'd like For crashed and burned organized as you would like For crashed and burned, maybe you had no system, no consistency, sticky notes everywhere and you didn't know which sticky note belonged to which student. We've all been there. For IEP management, you maybe met your deadlines, but you felt rushed. Maybe you want to improve your present levels or your goals. And for crashed and burned Maybe you missed a deadline or forgot a meeting altogether or didn't feel proud of the documents that you submitted.

Speaker 1:

For behavior support what you could do better. You might have had plans, but you didn't always follow through with them. Or maybe you weren't proactive enough For the crash and burn column. Maybe meltdowns ruled the room, you felt reactive and not strategic and nothing seemed to work. For scheduling, you maybe had a schedule, but it constantly needed adjusting. Maybe service minutes weren't always met the way you planned. Or maybe no real schedule ever stuck and you spent most of the year flying by the seat of your pants. And then, lastly, for communication maybe you meant to send more updates home or loop gen ed teachers in more often, but you didn't. Or maybe you avoided to send more updates home or loop gen ed teachers in more often, but you didn't. Or maybe you avoided tough conversations, had parent complaints or felt disconnected from your team.

Speaker 1:

The goal here is not to make you feel bad, it's just to give you clarity.

Speaker 1:

Once you filled in all of the columns, you will have a solid snapshot of what to improve and what to let go of. You have named what worked, you have owned what didn't, and you have started thinking critically about each part of your role. So here is your final task. I want you to use this chart to set two to three intentional goals for next year. You don't need to overhaul everything. Just look at the patterns.

Speaker 1:

Is there a row where your crashed and burned column is overflowing?

Speaker 1:

That might be a top priority?

Speaker 1:

Is there something in the could do better column that feels totally doable? With just a little bit more planning, that could be a quick win for you. Or maybe there's something in the nailed it column that you want to build on or replicate in other areas? Pick two or three goals that feel realistic, meaningful and helpful just for you, and write them down, not for your admin, not for an evaluation, just for you. This is how we grow intentionally not by making a million promises to ourselves in August, but by starting in June with honest reflection and a clear plan. You can grab the printable version of the reflection chart in the show notes to make this process easier, but I want you to use it now, tuck it into your planner and then revisit it when you start thinking about next year. It's one of the best gifts you can give your future self. Thanks for joining me today. You have done incredible work this school year In the summer. I want to keep supporting you every step of the way. I'll see you next week with more summer strategies for special educators.