Episode 17: Supporting the Supporters: A Candid Conversation

In this episode of Wholistically Psyched, I sit down with the incredible Jenn Adams—special education teacher, instructional coach, and the force behind Teach Love Autism. With her honest insights and practical strategies, Jenn has become a trusted voice in the special education world, offering resources and real talk for educators who often feel overwhelmed and under-supported.

Together, we dive deep into the realities of working in special education—what’s working, what’s broken, and what we can all do to better support the supporters. From navigating IEP meetings and managing burnout, to aligning goals with real student growth and building systems that actually work, this conversation is a must-listen for teachers, families, and anyone committed to inclusive education.

💡 Topics we cover:

• Jenn’s journey from the classroom to coaching to content creation
• Why so many special educators feel isolated—and what we can do about it
• The biggest challenges teachers face today (spoiler: it’s not just the paperwork)
• Tips for effective communication between educators and families
• How to write meaningful IEP goals and make progress monitoring manageable
• Actionable ways admin and districts can actually support their teams
• Encouragement and advice for new special educators stepping into the field

Whether you’re an educator, parent, or advocate, this episode is full of heart, honesty, and practical tools to help you show up better—for your students, your team, and yourself.

✨ Connect with Jenn:

Follow her on Instagram @teachloveautism on Instagram and check out her resources and membership for special educators looking for structure and support.

Resources: 

IEP SUPPORT | 74-pg IEP Guide:

⚡https://stan.store/Wholisticallypsyched/p/get-my-behavior-guide--iep-guides-now 

BEHAVIOR SUPPORT: 

⚡https://stan.store/Wholisticallypsyched/p/get-my-behavior-guide--iep-guides-now 

OR FULL ACCESS:

⚡ Get complete access to my Google Drive, 54+ Educational resources and counting (includes both Behavior & IEP Guide!) Plus, any new resources I add in the future | https://stan.store/Wholisticallypsyched/p/get-access-now-6ohkt

🔴 Subscribe for more Advocacy Education on IEPs, 504s, Behavior, & SPED Law | @wholisticallypsyched | https://www.instagram.com/wholistically_psyched/ 

🔴 Join my email list | https://stan.store/wholisticallypsyched 

🔴 Stan Store | https://stan.store/wholisticallypsyched 

🔥FREE WHOLISTICALLY PSYCHED RESOURCES:

☀︎ 4 FREE Guides | Development, Student Supports, & Behavior 

☀︎ What To Ask In An IEP Meeting | (Or any meeting!)

☀︎Written Request Template for an IEP | Person Centered Approach 

All found at: https://stan.store/Wholisticallypsyched 

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