Beginning-of-the-Year To-Do List for Special Education Teachers:

What You Actually Need to Start Strong

The beginning of the school year hits differently when you’re a Special Education teacher. While everyone else is sharpening pencils and arranging flexible seating, you’re juggling IEPs, compliance deadlines, behavior plans, and a hundred tiny details no one sees—but that make all the difference for your students.

Sound familiar?

Whether you’re brand new to the role or a seasoned SPED pro, the beginning of the year can feel like sprinting a marathon. That’s why I’ve created a clear, actionable Beginning-of-the-Year To-Do List for Special Education Teachers—so you can stop spinning your wheels and start the year with purpose and confidence.

And yes—it’s totally free.

👇 Grab your free checklist here:
🔗 Beginning of the Year SPED To-Do Checklist (FREE on TPT)

Why You Need a Specialized To-Do List as a SPED Teacher

Special Education teachers wear more hats than most—case manager, compliance officer, team lead, instructional coach, and oh yeah, teacher. A generic back-to-school list won’t cut it.

Here’s what you’re really thinking about in August:

IEP deadlines already looming
Tracking service minutes
Finalizing schedules for inclusion, pull-out, and push-in
Setting up progress monitoring systems
Communicating with general education teachers
Organizing your caseload binder

That’s exactly what this list is built for—your job, not everyone else’s.

What’s Included in the Free Special Education To-Do Checklist?

This checklist is broken into actionable steps that walk you through what needs to happen during those chaotic first weeks, including:

✅ Reviewing IEPs for services, accommodations, and goals
✅ Setting up data collection and progress monitoring systems
✅ Connecting with general education teachers
✅ Organizing student files and compliance calendars
✅ Communicating with families
✅ Preparing for IEP meetings right away (yep—they start early!)

Each item is designed to help you meet compliance and create a calm, structured classroom from day one.

🎁 Bonus: It pairs perfectly with my bestselling (and editable!)
👉 Special Education Teacher Binder, a must-have for managing your caseload all year long.

How to Use This To-Do List Effectively

Here’s how I recommend using the checklist to stay focused and avoid burnout:

Print it out or save digitally. (It’s editable, so you can make it your own!)
Highlight or check off items as you complete them.
Use the checklist weekly—not just once. It helps you track tasks that often need repeating in August and September.
Pair it with your IEP Binder to keep everything streamlined and accessible.
Share it with your team! If you’re mentoring a new SPED teacher or working on a team, this list can be a lifesaver.

Pro Tip: Use the Binder to Stay Organized All Year

The Special Education Teacher IEP Binder (also free with lifetime updates!) includes:

📘 Editable IEP snapshot templates
📘 Service tracker logs
📘 Meeting notes pages
📘 Goal progress trackers
📘 Calendars and caseload overviews
📘 Parent communication logs
📘 Sub plans and lesson templates

Together, the checklist and binder will change your school year. You’ll walk into each week feeling clear, calm, and ahead of the chaos.

Don’t Start the Year Without It

If you’ve ever made it to September wondering what just happened… this year can be different. Starting strong is about more than just surviving—it’s about building the foundation for your students' success and your own.

🔗 Download the free Beginning-of-the-Year SPED Checklist here:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Special-Education-Teacher-Beginning-of-the-Year-TO-DO-Checklist-IEP-3973214

📘 Grab your editable IEP Binder while you’re at it:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-BEST-Special-Education-Teacher-Binder-EDITABLE-FREE-updates-for-life--3919037

Let’s start this year stronger, calmer, and more organized than ever. You’ve got this!

Happy Teaching!

Miss Rae

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