Transformational Tools for Special Educators
How to Beat Burnout and Become the Best at What You Do
- Katrina G. Huels - Executive Director, Ascend Training Institute
Foreword by Steve McMahon
Avoid burnout and reclaim your passion
Burnout has become the silent epidemic threatening the very heart of special education. People enter the field with a passion to make a difference, only to find themselves overwhelmed by endless paperwork, high-stakes meetings, behavioral crises, and the unrelenting pace of the work. While professional development addresses topics like specialized instruction, behavior management, and IEP development, a critical gap remains: training that helps special educators sustain themselves and thrive in their roles.
Transformational Tools for Special Educators offers a way forward. Grounded in neurology and emotional intelligence research, this resource equips educators with practical, time-efficient strategies that fit into the realities of the school day. Inside, you'll find:
- Research-backed tools across the five domains of emotional intelligence
- Insights into how consistent use of the tools rewires the brain for better balance, resilience, and clarity
- Real-world scenarios reflecting the diverse roles of special education professionals
- Strategies designed for use individually, in professional learning communities, or across districts
Whether you are new to the field or a veteran, a teacher or a paraprofessional, an administrator or a related service provider, this book helps you reclaim your energy, restore your balance, and sustain the passion that first drew you to special education.
"Having led special education teams for many years, I've witnessed the deep dedication and the equally deep exhaustion that so often accompany this work. This book is a compassionate and practical resource that speaks directly to the heart of educators. With clarity, empathy, and wisdom, the author offers meaningful strategies and tools to help teachers care for themselves while continuing to care for others. It is a timely reminder that our well-being is not optional—it is essential to the work we do. Keep this book close. You will return to it again and again!"
"Transformational Tools for Special Educators is a practical and informative resource. Katrina combines her 20+ years of leadership, experience, and insight to share effective evidence-based strategies that all special educators should add to their toolkit. The strategies resonate with anyone at any level in education, notwithstanding position, experience level, or school setting. This book is applicable, motivating, and meaningful and a game-changer for special educators at all levels."
"Transformational Tools for Special Educators is nothing short of revolutionary for our field. Katrina Huels has masterfully addressed the elephant in the room—while we extensively train special educators in legal compliance and instructional strategies, we have left them emotionally unprepared for the intense daily realities of supporting neurodivergent students. This book fills that critical gap with research-backed, practical tools that do not just help educators survive but truly thrive. By combining emotional intelligence with neuroplasticity science, the author provides a clear roadmap for building the internal resilience and external social skills that transform both educator well-being and student outcomes. Every special education professional—from first-year teachers to seasoned administrators—will find invaluable strategies that seamlessly integrate into their existing routines. This is not just another professional development resource; it is the missing foundation that will help retain passionate educators and elevate the entire profession.
"I have spent over two decades teaching self-regulation strategies to students and never thought about how to support my teachers and staff with using them for their own benefit. Transformational Tools for Special Educators provides practitioners with real insight, practical applications, strategies, and resources to encourage them to prioritize their well-being so that they can better serve our most vulnerable populations."
"Transformational Tools for Special Educators spotlights practical ways to foster longevity within the field of special education. Emphasizing the link between one's well-being and the ability to thrive as a career educator, Katrina Huels outlines practical ways to address challenges educators experience that may lead to burnout and ultimately leaving the field. This book is an outstanding resource for all educators and is absolutely essential for anyone who has a passion for teaching and a desire to balance personal and communal care."
"Transformational Tools for Special Educators helps educators utilize emotional and behavioral intervention skills they may already possess with greater confidence, intention, and capacity. It can also help them develop skills and insights to enhance their teaching, leading, and relationships. This book is written in language that is easy to understand and includes concrete examples and scenarios. It is a practical guide to self-awareness and self-improvement for new and veteran educators alike."
Sample Materials & Chapters
Huels Transformational Tools for Special Educators_Look Inside Content.pdf