The start of the school year can feel like stepping onto a moving treadmill—exciting, overwhelming, and just a little bit chaotic. For those of us in special education, that’s especially true. There’s a caseload of unique learners to prepare for, a mountain of paperwork to organize, and a million details to juggle before the first bell even rings.
Whether you’re a seasoned special education teacher or a parent trying to make sure your child gets the support they need, a strong start can make all the difference. Here are ten things you can do at the beginning of the school year (without fail!) to get grounded, get organized, and start off on the right foot.
1. Read Every IEP—Even If You Wrote It
Yes, even if you wrote it yourself just a few months ago. Read it again. Reading through IEPs with fresh eyes can help you identify student needs, goal areas, accommodations, and service times in the context of your new schedule and classroom setup. Take notes. Highlight key points. Print IEP-at-a-glance sheets to share with co-teachers or general ed staff. These documents are your roadmap—make sure you know them inside and out.
2. Fill in Your Calendar with IEP Due Dates and School Events
Before things get too hectic, map out IEP deadlines, re-evals, and goal progress reporting dates on your calendar—layer in school-wide events like assemblies, testing dates, holidays, and early dismissals. A visual snapshot of the year ahead will save you from scrambling later. Many teachers swear by a Google Sheet, a paper planner, or a color-coded wall calendar—pick the system that works for you.
3. Meet with Inclusion or General Education Teachers Early
A quick check-in with co-teachers and general ed staff can go a long way. Share IEP snapshots, discuss classroom accommodations, and review behavior plans if applicable. These early conversations foster collaboration and help everyone feel prepared to support shared students from day one. Don’t forget to check in with related service providers and instructional assistants, too.
4. Build (and Rebuild) Your Schedule
You’ll probably tweak your schedule more times than you can count—and that’s okay. Start by sketching out service times based on IEP minutes, then build around grade-level specials, lunch, and recess times. Expect changes. Expect chaos. And give yourself permission to revise it as often as needed. Flexibility is a skill, not a failure.
5. Set Up Your Progress Monitoring System
Whether you use a digital tool, a binder system, or color-coded folders, having a method for tracking IEP goals from the start is key. Create your goal sheets, data collection templates, and charts. If you have paras or aides helping with data collection, make sure they’re trained and clear on what to observe and when. A little prep now saves a lot of scrambling later.
6. Reach Out to Families with a Welcome Letter
A quick reintroduction can set the tone for positive, open communication. Send a friendly email, ClassDojo message, or printed letter to parents introducing yourself, sharing your contact info, and inviting them to share updates about their child. Even if you’ve had the student before, life changes over the summer, and parents often have important new insights to offer.
7. Get to Know Your Students Beyond Their Paperwork
IEPs tell part of the story, but they can’t capture everything. Take time to learn what your students love, what makes them anxious, what routines they thrive on, and what motivates them. This might mean sending home questionnaires, reviewing old notes, or simply observing and chatting with students during the first few days. Relationship-building is the real foundation of success.
8. Organize Your Materials—Then Organize Them Again
Let’s be honest: special ed teachers have stuff. Curriculum for multiple grade levels, manipulatives, visuals, sensory tools, data binders, emergency plans, and not nearly enough storage. Do your best to organize what you can, lock up what you need to keep safe, and give yourself grace for the rest. Clutter may be inevitable, but a little early effort can save you from digging through piles mid-lesson.
9. Practice (and Re-Practice) Routines
Visuals. Schedules. Routines. Then practice, practice, practice. For many students with disabilities, structure is security. Set aside time in the first days to teach and reteach transitions, expectations, classroom jobs, and behavior plans. The time you spend upfront on consistency will pay off for months to come.
10. Breathe, Pray, Panic (Just a Little), and Then Breathe Again
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to question your classroom setup ten times. It’s okay to over-plan your first week and then throw half of it out the window. Beginning-of-year emotions are real, especially in special education where the stakes are so personal. Don’t forget to breathe. Don’t forget to ask for help. Don’t forget that you’re doing something incredibly important.
And if your first week is filled with coffee-fueled chaos, last-minute changes, or hiding materials in closets just to feel somewhat organized… you’re not alone.
It’s Just the Beginning
You’re not expected to have it all figured out by day one. But starting with intention—reading those IEPs, connecting with your team, organizing what you can, and embracing what you can’t—sets the stage for a solid, supportive year.
You’ve got this. And your students? They’re lucky to have you.
