128. One Task You Can Take Off Your Special Educator Plate Today

Delegating tasks in the special education classroom isn't a luxury but a necessity for teacher sustainability and effective classroom management. This episode is a must-listen if you often think "it's faster if I just do it myself!"

If you're ready to start delegating but need help setting clear expectations, check out our Paraprofessional Training and Expectations Manual. This editable resource helps outline roles, routines, and responsibilities. 

If you're a busy special education teacher looking for tips, tricks, and resources to save you precious time, I've got you covered! I'm here to help you regain your confidence in the classroom and feel calm and collected as a special educator.

Tune in every Friday for practical tips, tools, and the support you need to to THRIVE in the classroom.

Grab your FREE Special Educators Cheat Sheets at positivelylearningblog.com/free-resource-library/

Join the Facebook group

I'd love to hear what's working for you! Send me a message on Instagram @positivelylearning

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
If you've ever caught yourself thinking it'll just be
faster if I do it myself, thisnew episode of Special Educators
Resource Room is for you.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
Hey, special Educators, I'm Jennifer from
Positively Learning.
Welcome to the SpecialEducators Resource Room.
If you're like me, you'realways looking for ways to save
time and streamline your work.
That's why this podcast wascreated to give you the systems
and solutions you need to getyour time back.
Tune in for tips, tricks andtools that will help you manage

(00:33):
your workload and make the mostof your time.
Whether you're brand new orexperienced, all are welcome in
the Special Educators ResourceRoom.

Speaker 1 (00:44):
Welcome back to Special Educators Resource Room
Podcast.
I'm your host, jennifer fromPositively Learning.
I really struggled with thetitle of this episode.
It was originally titled OneTask you Can Delegate to a
Paraprofessional Today, but thenI thought well, if you don't
have any support which is thereality for so many you may not

(01:07):
even click, listen.
And I still think there are alot of tips and mindset shifts
that are helpful in this episode.
So, either way, I'm so gladthat you took the chance and hit
play.
Today.
We're talking about one smallbut mighty move delegating just
one task off your plate today,because I know how it goes.

(01:28):
You have a growing to-do list,your students need support, your
inbox is full of reminders, butmaybe there's someone out there
whether it's a paraprofessional, an intern, student, teacher,
instructional coach, a friendand they're asking what can I do
?
And even though they're readyto help, it can feel like more

(01:51):
work to explain than to just doit yourself.
So today we're going to bechanging that without adding
more to your plate.
First, let's check in with ourmindset.
Delegating is a skill and for alot of us in special education
it doesn't come naturally.
Maybe it's a bit of control,maybe you've worked with people

(02:11):
in the past who weren't superreliable, or maybe you're just
so used to juggling everythingthat handing over one thing it
feels like a weird luxury.
But here's the truth.
Delegating isn't lazy luxury,but here's the truth.
Delegating isn't lazy, it'sleadership, because you're not
offloading half your job.
You're just starting with onetask that doesn't require you

(02:33):
and your unique expertise tocomplete it.
If you're rolling your eyes orcringing a bit, I've got you.
Here are five easy, safe tasksthat you can hand off today
without needing to prep or trainfor hours.
Number one prepping independentwork.
So think task boxes, filefolders, work binders.

(02:55):
This is Velcroing, cutting,organizing by level.
Number two resettingindependent work, so pulling
finished work and restocking forthe next activity.
Number three filing or labelingmaterials, especially if you
already have a system in place.
Number four running a familiaractivity, so something your

(03:17):
students already know how to do.
Number five recording data forskills that are clearly defined
and observable.
So think yes, no behaviors ortask completion.
And if that all still feelslike too much, try this baby
step have someone check andrefill supply bins.
It's small, but it's still sohelpful.

(03:38):
Hopefully you're coming aroundto the idea.
Here's how to make it stick.
Try out this super simplescript.
Hey, I'm going to have you takethis one over today.
The students already know theroutine.
Just watch out for insert ahelpful tip.
Let me know if anything comesup.
Or you could just say can youhelp me out by taking care of

(03:58):
this one task today?
It'll free me up to focus onwhatever you're going to do.
It's clear, it's appreciative.

Speaker 2 (04:06):
Zero guilt.

Speaker 1 (04:08):
Why does this matter?
When you delegate a task, youget breathing room, whether it's
to review data, answer an emailor just catch your breath
between transitions.
Whoever you're working withfeels trusted and empowered,
which often leads to greaterinitiative and ownership.
Your students are going to getmore consistency and support,

(04:31):
even when you're pulled in fivedifferent directions and, most
importantly, you're building asmoother classroom flow, one
where you're not the only oneholding everything together.
Delegation is one of thosequiet leadership skills that
doesn't always get talked about,but it's essential to surviving
in this role.

(04:52):
You don't have to do it all,and honestly, you shouldn't.
Here's your takeaway for todayPick one thing, just one, and
hand it off.
It might be resetting anindependent activity, might be
collecting finished task cardsor prepping visuals.
Could be something likegrabbing your to copy folder and
running copies.

(05:12):
It doesn't have to be perfect.
It just has to be off yourplate and then notice what
changes, not just in yourworkload but in the way your
classroom feels whenresponsibilities are shared.
If you're ready to startdelegating but not exactly sure
how to set clear expectations,or if you've ever felt awkward

(05:33):
asking a paraprofessional totake on a new task, I've got
something for you, I'll put alink in the show notes to a
paraprofessional training andexpectations manual.
It's going to help you clearlyoutline roles, routines annual.
It's going to help you clearlyoutline roles, routines and
responsibilities.
It's editable and it's easy touse.
You can grab the link to thisbinder in the show notes.

(05:53):
Thank you for tuning in todayand for being an educator who's
not afraid to lead with bothheart and strategy.
You are here.
You're looking for ways tostrengthen your team and create
smoother systems.
You're not just holding it alltogether, you're building
something that's going to lastand that is worth celebrating.
I'll catch you next time in thespecial educators resource room

(06:17):
.

Speaker 2 (06:21):
Thanks so much for tuning in and I'm dying to ask
what'd you think?
Be sure to hit the follow orsubscribe buttons that you never
miss an episode.
You can find the show notes andlinks for everything mentioned
in this episode atPositivelyLearningBlogcom.
See you next week for morespecial education solutions.