Sped Prep Academy Podcast

Don't want to miss an episode??

Get notified as soon as a new epidsode drops!

We won't send spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Listen to the show

5 Boundaries Every Special Educator Needs to Prevent Burnout

In this episode of Special Education for Beginners, we’re continuing our focus on teacher burnout—and today’s topic might be the most practical yet.

As special educators, we often pour from an empty cup. We overcommit, stay late, skip lunch, and carry the emotional weight of the work home with us. But burnout doesn’t just happen because of how much we’re doing—it happens when we don’t have boundaries in place to protect our time, energy, and mental health.

"Protecting your planning time isn't selfish—

it's how you stay effective and sane.”

In this episode, I’m sharing 5 realistic boundaries you can start using right now to prevent burnout and bring more balance back into your school year.

🔑 Here’s what we’ll cover:

Limiting communication outside of work hours (and what to say in an auto-responder)
How to protect your planning time so it doesn’t disappear every day
My simple, non-negotiable end-of-day routine that brings mental closure
Why working with your energy—not just your time—can change everything
How to say “no” or “not yet” without feeling like you’re letting people down

💌 FREE RESOURCE
If you’re on my email list, I’ve created a one-page visual guide for you with all 5 boundaries plus quick, actionable tips to help you protect your time and your well-being.

Not on the list yet? Head over to spedprepacademy.com/podcast and join for access to weekly freebies and support.

Free Burnout Reducing Strategies + Habit Tracker

Download the Transcript

GET ACCESS TO THE SPED PREP ACADEMY RESOURCE LIBRARY BY BECOMING AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER HERE!

JOIN THE COMMUNITY:

The Sped Prep Academy Facebook Group

Connect with Jennifer on Instagram

ENJOYING THE PODCAST?

Tag me @spedprepacademy on Instagram and tell me what you are listening to!

SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW

I don’t want you to miss a thing! Be the first to know when a new episode is available by subscribing in iTunes HERE!

If you would like to support The Sped Prep Academy® podcast, a review would mean so much. By leaving a review, you are helping fellow special educators find this podcast to receive the help and support they need. To leave a review in iTunes, click HERE and scroll down to Ratings and Reviews. Click “Write a Review” and share with me how this podcast is helping you grow as an educator!

Listen, rate & subscribe on itunes today!

Free Percentile Chart

Amazing Feature