"Transformational Tools for Special Educators is nothing short of revolutionary for our field."
Rekindle 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.
Transformational Tools for Special Educators gives you the power to change the impact of stress that leads to burnout so that you can excel and thrive in your important role.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.
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.
OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES, I've worked alongside some of the most dedicated professionals in any field. As a special educator, my colleagues and I showed up each day, giving everything we had, often at the expense of our own well-being. Each new school year brought renewed passion and purpose, but with the mounting paperwork, student challenges, and administrative demands, we found ourselves counting the days until the next calendar break by October.
Teacher preparation programs and professional development prepared us in many ways, but the daily emotional toll, the constant decision fatigue, and the weight of caring deeply while resources run thin were never addressed. We were prepared for the technical demands of the work, but not for the reality of sustaining ourselves through it.
I wrote Transformational Tools for Special Educators to fill that gap. I hope that the tools in this book give you the means to reclaim your energy, renew your sense of purpose, and build the emotional resilience to sustain the passion that initially brought you to the important work that you do!
Inside you'll find:
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Research-based tools across the five domains of emotional intelligence
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Insights into how consistent use of the tools rewires the brain for better balance, resilience, and clarity
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Real-world scenarios reflecting the diverse roles of special education professionals
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Strategies designed for use individually, in professional learning communities, or across districts
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Mobile applications for easy use of the tools
What Readers are Saying
"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!"
-Robin Baumgarten, Special Education Supervisor
"With Transformational Tools for Special Educators, the author creates a practical and informative resource for special educators. Katrina combines her 20+ years of leadership, experience, and insight to share effective evidence-based strategies that all special educators could 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 is a game-changer for special educators at all levels."
-Dr. Isaac D. Kelly , School Principal
"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.
-Dr. Holly Haynes, Professor of Education
"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."
-Kristal Brown, Special Education Director
"Katrina’s book, Transformational Tools for Special Educators, can help educators utilize emotional and behavioral intervention skills they may already possess with more confidence, intention and greater capacity. For other educators it can help them develop skills and insights to enhance their teaching, leading and relationships. This book is written in language that is easy to understand with concrete examples and scenarios. It is a practical guide to self-awareness and self-improvement for new and veteran educators.
-Dr. Jana Ladner, School Psychologist
"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."
-Angela Ellis, Special Education Administrator
