Welcome back to our month-long focus on behavior management in the special education classroom.

In this episode, we’re digging into the science behind student behavior with special guest Sam Parmelee. This isn’t your typical conversation about clip charts and consequences. We’re talking about regulation, relationships, and the real reasons behind challenging behavior.

We know that classroom behavior can be one of the most overwhelming parts of a special education teacher’s job, and often the one we feel least prepared for. That’s why this episode focuses on brain-based regulation and a powerful framework that helps educators respond to behavior with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

Sam shares what every educator should know about the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, and how our brains process stress, threats, and relationships. We also explore why so many behavior plans fail (hint: it’s not just about the students) and why emotional regulation is just as important for adults as it is for kids.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why understanding brain function is essential to supporting behavior
• Why we need to stop asking dysregulated students to “think about their choices”
• How to regulate yourself first, especially in heated moments
• Practical tools for improving staff buy-in to behavior plans
• The CALM technique Sam uses to guide de-escalation
• The difference between responding to behavior vs. reacting to it

🔧 Strategies You Can Use Tomorrow:

• Use the phrase “This behavior is happening in front of me, not to me” to help emotionally detach in the moment.
• Teach your team the CALM acronym: Connect, Affirm, Listen, My Plan.
• Normalize the idea that behavior interventions, like academics, require collaboration, data, and adaptability.
• Provide staff with the tools they need to implement plans—think timers, visuals, checklists.
• Host team discussions that change the narrative around student behavior from “defiance” to “a skill that hasn’t been taught yet.”

📘 Article Mentioned:
Sam’s article on Emotional De-escalation (Edutopia):
Read it here

📱 Follow Sam on Social Media
@theedqueen on instagram, facebook & tik tok!

The ED Queen Website

🧠 Resource Mentioned:

125 Behavior Strategies

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Welcome back to Special Education for Beginners! September is such a critical month for teachers. It’s the time when routines are still being built and the habits you create now will either set you up for a calm, structured classroom or leave you constantly putting out “fires” all year long.

In this episode, we’re talking about prevention...how to stop behaviors before they start. Of course, we know there’s no way to erase every single behavior, but wouldn’t it be nice to reduce the frequency, intensity, and unpredictability of those behaviors with just a few proactive systems?

I’ll walk you through 7 practical strategies that special educators can start using right away to create smoother routines, reduce disruptions, and build a more positive, predictable environment for students. These strategies include:

• Setting clear, explicit expectations (and teaching them like academics)
• Using predictable routines to create a sense of safety and structure
• Building relationships before enforcing rules
• Offering simple, meaningful choices to give students ownership
• Incorporating movement, sensory, and even snack breaks before problems escalate
• Reinforcing the positive behaviors you want to see more of
• Aligning the adults so every staff member responds consistently

You’ll come away with concrete examples, classroom tips, and easy-to-implement strategies that make behavior management feel less reactive and more intentional.

💡 Free Resource for Listeners: If you’re on my email list, you’ll automatically receive a free set of Behavior Management Cards with these 7 strategies plus a few bonus ones. They’re printable, easy to clip on a ring, and perfect for quick reminders for you and your team.

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At the start of a new school year, everything can feel big. The stress, the expectations, the changes...they all seem to hit at once. If you’re in that season of overwhelm, this episode is your much-needed pep talk.

In Episode 225, I’m sharing the mindset shifts that have helped me stay grounded, protect my peace, and stop giving energy to things that don’t matter in the long run. Whether you’re already in the thick of it or gearing up to start the 2025–26 school year, this is the perfect time to take a deep breath and shift your perspective.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why it's normal to feel overwhelmed at the start of the year (you’re not alone!)
• 3 key perspective shifts that can help you stay grounded and avoid burnout
• How to tell the difference between a moment and a mountain
• Why building strong connections with your team (especially your paras and gen ed colleagues) matters more than ever
• What it means to zoom in, zoom out, and find the balance in between

Quick Recap of This Month’s Back-to-School Series:

• Ep. 222: Where Do I Even Start? — 3 Priorities for Special Educators
• Ep. 223: Mastering the Special Education Schedule (One Tetris Piece at a Time)
• Ep. 224: How to Choose the Right Data Collection System for Your Classroom

If you missed any of those episodes, now’s a great time to go back and catch up!

Key Takeaways from Episode 225:

🔄 Perspective Shift #1: Will This Matter in 3 Days, 3 Weeks, or 3 Months?

Use the “Triple 3 Rule” to filter your stress and energy. Not everything is worth your mental real estate.

🤝 Perspective Shift #2: Stay in Your Lane—But Don’t Isolate

Focus on your students and your goals, but build strong connections with your support team and gen ed teachers. You’re not alone, and your people can help lighten the load.

🔍 Perspective Shift #3: Know When to Zoom In… and When to Zoom Out

Being detail-oriented is a superpower—but don’t forget to zoom out and look at the big picture. Your students are making progress. So are you.

Final Thoughts

You can’t do it all and you don’t have to. The job is big, but it should never come at the cost of your well-being. Protect your peace, give yourself grace, and remember: you’re doing better than you think.

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