Skip to content

Tired of buying one resource at a time? We’ve got a membership for that!

UNLOCK ACCESS NOW

Home
Blog
Shop
Membership
- Explore the Membership
- My Membership Account
My Account Log In

Home
Blog
Shop
Membership
- Explore the Membership
- My Membership Account
My Account Log In

Search

Home
Blog
Shop
Membership
- Explore the Membership
- My Membership Account
My Account Log In

Username or Email Address

Password

Remember Me

Lost your password?

teach love autism blogs

Sharing What Works: Symbaloo

I had this issue this school year. As many of you know, I work with students with autism in middle school. My students’ academic abilities

teachloveautism

🌟 Special Education Teacher + Coach
💡 Empowering teachers with strategies &
resources to support diverse learners
📧 jenn@teachloveautism.com

When someone says, “That student doesn’t do that i

When someone says, “That student doesn’t do that in my classroom,” and you have to decide if you’re going to educate, explain masking, discuss demand differences, unpack relationship dynamics, review environmental triggers, and present your entire behavior data collection system…

Or just collect your paycheck and let Whitney Houston handle the response.

Because sometimes the most professional thing a special education teacher can do is close her mouth, smile softly, and think:

I wish you joy.
I wish you happiness.
But above all this, I wish you would stop assuming one setting tells the whole story.

Students respond differently in different rooms, with different people, different demands, different sensory input, different expectations, and different levels of support.

That doesn’t mean one teacher is magical and the other one is doing it wrong.

It means behavior is communication.

And also… I’m tired. So today, we’re choosing peace.

Drop a 🙃 if you’ve ever had to keep the inside thoughts on the inside.
#teaching #teachersofig #iteach

Principal: “How’s it going?” Me: “Oh, just going w

Principal: “How’s it going?”
Me: “Oh, just going with the flow.”

The flow:
A student refusing the schedule.
The copier blinking like it’s judging me.
Three emails that all say “quick question.”
A para asking where the visuals are.
A parent message that starts with “I was just wondering…”
A surprise meeting invite for my planning period.
And one child licking the laminated token board.

So yes. I am going with the flow.

But the flow is Class 5 rapids, my kayak is a rolling chair, and my paddle is a dry erase marker with no cap.

Still smiling though.

Mostly because if I stop, I may become part of the river.

Tag a teacher who is also “going with the flow” this week.

#teacherlife #specialeducationteacher #teachersofinstagram

When you’re a teacher on your planning period, goi

When you’re a teacher on your planning period, going to the bathroom is not a quick errand.

It is a full obstacle course.

You grab your keys.
You make eye contact with no one.
You speed walk like you’re late for an Olympic event.
And then it happens.

“Do you have a minute?”
“Can you sign this real quick?”
“Did you see my email?”
“One of your students is in the office.”
“Can I ask you something about the schedule?”
“Also, the copier is jammed.”

Ma’am. My bladder is the schedule right now.

There is nothing quite like trying to look calm and professional while your body is sending a very clear emergency alert.

Teachers do not need more jeans passes.
We need uninterrupted bathroom passes.

The end.

#teacherlife #teacherproblems #teachersofinstagram

Don’t overthink it.⁠ Don’t overthink the data shee

Don’t overthink it.⁠
Don’t overthink the data sheet.⁠
Don’t overthink the visual schedule.⁠
Don’t overthink the lesson plan.⁠
Don’t overthink the IEP goal.⁠
Don’t overthink whether you handled that behavior “perfectly.”⁠
Don’t overthink the email you sent, the para plan you made, the transition that went sideways, or the activity that absolutely did not land the way you pictured it in your teacher brain.⁠
⁠
Because self-contained teachers? We can overthink everything.⁠
⁠
We wonder if we’re doing enough.⁠
If we’re modifying enough.⁠
If we’re pushing too hard.⁠
If we’re not pushing hard enough.⁠
If the room is structured enough.⁠
If the supports are clear enough.⁠
If the data is clean enough.⁠
If everyone else thinks we have it together enough.⁠
⁠
But sometimes our students don’t need perfect.⁠
⁠
They need steady.⁠
They need safe.⁠
They need consistent.⁠
They need someone who keeps showing up, even when the day was a full-blown circus with a clipboard.⁠
⁠
So here’s your reminder:⁠
⁠
Don’t overthink it.⁠
⁠
You are already doing so much more than you give yourself credit for.⁠
⁠
⁠
#teacher #education #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teachersfollowingteachers #teachersofig #teachers #edtech #instateacher #teacher⁠
#specialeducationteacher #specialed #specialedteacher #specialneeds #specialneedsteacher

Not making eye contact. Not answering questions.

Not making eye contact. Not answering questions.

Not hearing “Do you have a second?” Not stopping for “real quick.”

Because we all know “real quick” is teacher code for there goes your entire planning period.

And listen… I love my students. I love my coworkers. I love being helpful.

But sometimes the most urgent IEP-related service is me sprinting down the hallway like I’m in an Olympic event called Bathroom Before the Bell. 🏃‍♀️

Teacher bladder should honestly be a documented workplace concern.

Tag a teacher who knows this exact hallway sprint. 👇
#teacherhumor #teachersofig #TeachersOfInstagram

When you’re trying to look like a professional sho

When you’re trying to look like a professional showing off your First/Then visual…

…and the Velcro piece said, “Actually, I’m choosing chaos today.” 😂

Honestly, it was giving real classroom energy because we all know visuals are amazing… until one piece hits the floor and suddenly everyone acts like we’ve entered a state of emergency

But this is exactly why I love using a First/Then schedule in the classroom:

✨ it shows students what is expected
✨ it makes transitions more predictable
✨ it supports independence
✨ it helps reduce the “WAIT, WHAT ARE WE DOING?!” moments

Even if the piece dramatically falls off mid-video. 😅
Want this First/Then visual for FREE?

Comment “first then visual” and I’ll send you the link!
#specialeducationteacher #spedteacher #autismsupport

Tag a teacher bestie who would do this for you! 😍😍

Tag a teacher bestie who would do this for you! 😍😍

#teacherlife #teachersofinstagram #iteachtoo

Give me the para who is willing to learn. Every. S

Follow on Instagram

SHOP

Teach Love Autism Shop
Teach Love Resource Membership
My Amazon Store
Boom Cards Store
$0 Resources

Support

My Account
Cart

Forgot Password

ABOUT

Blog
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Purchase Orders
Contact Us

Connect

Pinterest-p Tiktok Youtube

Facebook-f Instagram

© 2026 TEACH LOVE AUTISM. Terms and Conditions.

Search

Tired of buying one resource at a time?

Get fresh SPED resources every month for your self-contained and life skills classroom so you’re never starting from scratch.

🔓 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP!

📚 New!
Social Narrative Library

Exclusive access inside the membership—ready-made social narratives for your classroom.

🔓 Unlock Access Now!

✨ Ready-to-Use Visuals & Adapted Books

See what’s new in the shop—resources you can use right away.

JOIN THE EMAIL LIST!

Get tips, blogs, and freebies right to your inbox!

First name

Email address

Thank you!

×

Loading…