Claim OwnershipTeach, Task Box, Inspire: The Podcast (A Show for Special Educators)
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© Copyright 2025 Lisa Hollady, Special Education Teacher
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Teach, Task Box, Inspire: The Podcast is your go-to educational podcast dedicated to making your job as a special education teacher easier and more enjoyable. Your host, Lisa Hollady, is a veteran special education teacher with a passion for helping teachers like you make a real difference in the lives of your students.
In your demanding roles, you’re constantly juggling various responsibilities, from differentiated instruction and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to data collection, and, of course, teaching. That’s where task boxes come in.
Task boxes aren’t just teaching tools. They’re the key to unlocking student independence, student engagement, and personalized learning. Through this podcast, you’ll uncover the incredible task box benefits for your special needs students and practical implemention tips that you can take to your classroom.
Tune in each Monday for a new episode that will equip you with essential strategies and motivation to approach your week with confidence and enthusiasm. Topics will include task box activities, social and emotional development, adaptive teaching, inclusive teaching, supporting diverse learners, classroom management, scheduling, visual aids, and more.
If you’re looking for more special education resources and support with increasing student independence, check out my FREE training at https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/training.
In your demanding roles, you’re constantly juggling various responsibilities, from differentiated instruction and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to data collection, and, of course, teaching. That’s where task boxes come in.
Task boxes aren’t just teaching tools. They’re the key to unlocking student independence, student engagement, and personalized learning. Through this podcast, you’ll uncover the incredible task box benefits for your special needs students and practical implemention tips that you can take to your classroom.
Tune in each Monday for a new episode that will equip you with essential strategies and motivation to approach your week with confidence and enthusiasm. Topics will include task box activities, social and emotional development, adaptive teaching, inclusive teaching, supporting diverse learners, classroom management, scheduling, visual aids, and more.
If you’re looking for more special education resources and support with increasing student independence, check out my FREE training at https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/training.
114 Episodes
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In this special highlight episode, Lisa looks back on the most powerful lessons from over 100 episodes of Teach, Task Box, Inspire. From the importance of visuals and independent work systems to understanding behavior as communication, preventing burnout, and building supportive classroom communities, this episode celebrates the heart of the podcast. As Lisa steps into a season of rest, she shares her gratitude with listeners and reminds educators that their work matters deeply — and they never have to do it alone.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes:
In this episode, Lisa breaks down the real reasons behavior strategies “fail” and what to do when nothing seems to work. You’ll learn how misalignment — whether it’s the wrong function, ineffective reinforcement, or inconsistent implementation — can derail even the best plans, and how to recognize the red flags in your classroom, from over-prompting to mismatched expectations. Lisa shares why consistency, not perfection, is the true driver of behavior change and walks you through her personal reset process for when a student’s behavior suddenly takes a turn, including clearing the noise, simplifying expectations, rebuilding trust, and returning to essential supports. She also offers practical guidance for helping exhausted staff regroup, get on the same page, rebuild routines, and stay grounded during challenging behavior seasons.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode112
In today’s episode, Lisa dives into one of the most underrated but most powerful parts of behavior support: the micro-moments. These are the quick 5-second decisions—tone, phrasing, proximity, visuals, and tiny choices—that turn chaotic days into calm ones.Instead of relying on complicated plans or intense interventions, Lisa breaks down how small, intentional shifts in your interactions can prevent escalation, strengthen connection, and create a smoother classroom environment. Whether you're in a 12:1:1 room, pushing into gen ed, or supporting students with a wide range of needs, these micro-moves are the tools you can put into action tomorrow.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode111
Work refusal is one of the most common challenges teachers face, but we often make the mistake of assuming all refusals are the same. In this episode, Lisa breaks down the powerful “Can’t Do or Won’t Do” framework, a simple way to identify why a student is refusing work so you can respond with strategies that actually stick. You’ll learn to recognize signs of overwhelm versus signs of avoidance, quickly assess the root cause, and adjust instruction, motivation, and support to help students build confidence and independence. This episode will leave you feeling clear, empowered, and ready to tackle work refusal with purpose and precision.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode110
In this heart-to-heart episode, Lisa opens up about what it’s like to feel isolated as a special educator and how to build school culture even when you’re the only one in your role. She shares practical strategies for creating visibility, connecting with general education staff, and finding your people — both inside and outside your building. From hallway hellos to collaborative projects, you’ll learn how small, intentional actions can change how you feel about your school and how your school sees you. If you’ve ever felt invisible, misunderstood, or alone in your work, this episode is for you.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode109
In this episode, Lisa breaks down what it really means to teach through the senses. She explains how sensory processing is the foundation for learning, how to identify sensory seekers and avoiders, and why meeting those needs changes everything—from focus and behavior to emotional regulation. You’ll learn simple ways to weave sensory input into everyday instruction, plus easy classroom tweaks that can help your students stay calm, confident, and ready to learn. This episode is packed with real examples, practical strategies, and those “aha” moments that will make you see sensory needs in a whole new way.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode108
In this episode, Lisa digs into the why behind task boxes — the real psychology and brain science that make them such powerful tools for students with special needs. You’ll learn how structure, repetition, and predictability calm the brain, how success releases motivation-boosting chemicals, and why visuals and autonomy are key to independence. With real classroom stories and down-to-earth examples, this episode will leave you seeing your task boxes not just as learning tools, but as a confidence-building system that rewires how students think and feel about learning.Resources Mentioned:Independent Task Box Starter Kit → https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/chalkboard-superhero (Teachers Pay Teachers)Visual Schedules & Mini-Schedule Pack → https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/ (Chalkboard Superhero)Token Board & Reinforcement System Bundle → https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/product/Errorless-Worksheets-Life-Skills-7355034 (Teachers Pay Teachers)Task Box Labels & Organization System → https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/search?search=task%20boxes%20labels%20Chalkboard%20Superhero (Teachers Pay Teachers)Membership / Subscription for Monthly Task Boxes → https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/ (Chalkboard Superhero)Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode107
In this episode, Lisa breaks down what an autism classroom actually is, why it exists, and what makes it unique compared to other classroom settings. She explains that an autism classroom is not a “lesser” placement — it’s a specialized environment intentionally designed to support students through structure, visual supports, communication tools, and predictable routines.Lisa guides listeners through the core components of an autism classroom, such as visual schedules, independent work systems, sensory supports, and individualized behavior plans. She emphasizes how these tools help students feel safe, understood, and confident.She also addresses common myths — especially the misconception that an autism classroom limits students — and reframes it as a space that teaches essential skills like communication, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and independence.The episode closes with encouragement for teachers stepping into this environment, reminding them that with consistency, compassion, clear expectations, and relationship-building, they can create a calm, supportive space where students grow.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education ClassroomShow Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode106
In this episode, Lisa gets real about the unspoken culture of overworking in education and the guilt that often comes with leaving at contract time. She challenges the outdated idea that staying late equals dedication and reminds teachers that balance, not burnout, leads to better teaching. Through personal stories, practical strategies, and gentle truth-telling, Lisa empowers educators to set boundaries, protect their time, and leave school guilt-free—because great teachers don’t need to stay late to make a difference.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode105
In this episode, Lisa dives into one of the toughest challenges special educators face — anger and explosive behaviors. From meltdowns to moments of defiance, Lisa helps you unpack the why behind the outburst. You’ll learn how the brain responds to stress, what common triggers look like, and how to co-regulate and respond with empathy instead of reactivity.With real classroom examples, trauma-informed insights, and step-by-step strategies you can use right away, this episode will leave you feeling calm, confident, and equipped to handle tough moments with compassion and clarity.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode104
In this episode, Lisa gets real about one of the hardest parts of being a special education teacher — training paraprofessionals who just won’t listen. She breaks down why this happens, how to set clear expectations, and how to lead with confidence and compassion in an inclusion setting. You’ll learn how to build buy-in, communicate effectively, and stay professional even when things get tough. If you’ve ever felt more like a manager than a teacher, this episode is for you.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode103
In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, Lisa dives deep into practical, classroom-tested strategies for supporting students with ADHD. From setting up structured environments and predictable routines to using movement, visuals, and positive reinforcement, she shares realistic tools that teachers can implement immediately. Lisa also explores motivation, emotional regulation, and collaboration with paras and parents — all while keeping teacher well-being in mind. This episode is packed with empathy, humor, and insight to help educators better understand their students with ADHD and create classrooms where every learner can thrive.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode102
In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, Lisa shares a fresh perspective on how task boxes can support not just students, but teachers too. Burnout in special education is real, and sometimes we need practical tools that lighten the load while still building student success. Lisa explains how task boxes can reduce planning stress, create breathing room, and bring balance back into your teaching day—so you can focus on what really matters.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode101
In this milestone 100th episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, I’m celebrating by looking back at the biggest lessons from the past 100 episodes. Instead of just rattling off a list, I’m sharing the stories, strategies, and “aha” moments behind your favorite episodes—classroom setup, independence, behavior, staff training, and practical tools that make teaching just a little easier. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or you’re just joining in, this is a celebration of the growth we’ve made together and the powerful takeaways that will carry us into the next 100 episodes.Resource Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode100
In Episode 99 of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, we’re focusing on the heart of every special education classroom—paraprofessionals. When paraprofessionals feel confident, the whole classroom benefits. In this episode, I share why confidence matters so much, the barriers that often hold paraprofessionals back, and practical ways to build their skills and trust from day one. With clear systems, communication strategies, and real classroom examples, you’ll walk away with tools to empower your team and create a smoother, more supportive learning environment for your students.Resources Mentioned:Teach Task Box Inspire MembershipParaprofessional Training ResourcesFree training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode99
In Episode 98 of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, we’re tackling one of the trickiest parts of special education: how to fade prompts without losing independence. Too much support leads to dependence, but too little too soon can cause frustration. In this episode, I break down what prompt fading really looks like, the biggest mistakes to avoid, and practical strategies you can use to help students build independence step by step. With real classroom stories, examples, and actionable tools, this episode will give you the confidence to strike the right balance with prompting in your classroom.Resources Mentioned:Teach Task Box Inspire MembershipPrompt Hierarchy Visual SupportsFree training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode98
At the start of the school year, parents are handing over their most precious people to us every day — and for many, that trust doesn’t come easily. In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, Lisa shares practical, positive communication strategies for building strong parent partnerships in the first month of school. Through a personal story about her own special needs son’s first overnight camp — and how a special education teacher’s updates eased her worries — Lisa highlights why early communication is key and how simple, intentional outreach can turn parents into powerful allies.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode97
Do you ever feel like your to-do list as a teacher is never-ending—and the hardest tasks keep hanging over your head?In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, Lisa Hollady shares how the productivity concept “Eat the Frog” can completely transform your teaching day. By tackling your most dreaded, time-consuming, or energy-draining task first, you free yourself from stress and set the tone for a more productive, peaceful school day.You’ll discover:What “Eat the Frog” really means for special education teachersHow to identify your frogs—the tasks that steal your energy and focusPractical ways to tackle hard tasks first during your school dayHow this mindset can reduce burnout and improve work-life balancePlus, Lisa shares a personal story about how eating the frog helped her get through a week with seven IEPs due—without losing her mind!If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by endless lesson planning, data collection, and behavior tracking, this episode will show you how to reclaim your time and energy.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode96
Starting the year strong with your paraprofessionals can make or break your classroom flow. In this episode of Teach Task Box Inspire, Lisa walks you through exactly what to cover in your very first paraprofessional meeting of the school year. From setting clear roles and responsibilities to building rapport, reviewing systems, and creating a communication plan, you’ll leave this episode with a ready-to-use framework for building a strong, consistent, and collaborative team. Whether you’re a new teacher or a veteran, these tips will help you set the tone for a smooth and successful year.Resources Mentioned: Paraprofessional Handbook Template Task Box Starter Kit Prompt Hierarchy Visuals Independent Work System Setup Guide Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode95
Teaching is more than a career—it’s a calling. But let’s be honest: it’s also the hardest profession in the world. In this episode of Teach, Task Box, Inspire, Lisa Hollady dives into why teaching is so uniquely challenging—and why so many educators feel exhausted, underpaid, and undervalued. From wearing a dozen hats every day to spending our own money on supplies and planning every single minute of the school day, the demands on teachers are relentless.Resources Mentioned: Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom Show Notes: https://chalkboardsuperhero.com/episode94
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