My Life in Binders

My Life in Binders In my last episode, I shared how binder organization helped me survive—and eventually thrive—as a mom navigating medical systems and IEP meetings. Over time, this system made its way into my classroom life as well. Now, I use binders for just about everything—from keeping track of student documentation to prepping for substitute teachers. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to start your own binder system—at home or at school. Step One: Choose the Right Binders Don’t overthink it—start simple. I prefer standard three-ring binders, usually in 1- or 2-inch sizes. Colored binders or labels make it easy to distinguish between themes or students. You can always expand or adjust your system as you go, but having just one binder per student, one for your sub, and one per teaching theme can make a huge difference in your daily workflow. Step Two: Set Up Your Core Binders Here are the main types of binders I use in my classroom, each with its own specific purpose: S...

  “Binders saved my sanity—and my sons’ education.” I started using binders when my oldest son was just six years old. He’s now eighteen. What began as a desperate attempt to manage appointment overload quickly turned into a life-changing system for organizing our family's medical, educational, and personal needs. My binders were more than paper and tabs—they were our roadmap through chaos. My sons had frequent appointments at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Each binder included printed appointment summaries, test results, medication changes, and a running list of questions I needed to ask doctors. That way, nothing got forgotten—especially during high-stress visits. Later, as both of my boys qualified for IEPs, I created separate binders for each of them that held evaluations, progress reports, meeting notes, and even behavior documentation. I knew their stories better than anyone, and these binders became a powerful tool to advocate for what they needed...