Be The Exception In Special Education

Latest Episodes:

183.Choosing the Right Assessment to Get the Info Needed About Your Students Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Assessments…just the word sounds overwhelming…especially in the special education world. There are SOOOO many options to choose from! How do you pick? Where do you start?

In this week's episode I am chatting with my friend Heather from Full Sped Ahead all about assessments. She is sharing her knowledge on how to choose the right assessment to get the info needed about your students. She lives and breathes assessments right now and loves implementing them in the classroom. Her tips and strategies (and her understanding of so many different options) is life-changing for those of us in the trenches.

In this episode you will learn:

About a wide variety of assessments available to you
How to choose an assessment based on the age, ability, etc of your students
Why you should train other teachers to help with ongoing assessments
How to use the info you gain from assessments to drive the IEP

Links and Resources

Fall + Halloween Tees for Special Educators and Paras Halloween Bundle Exceptional Collective Full Sped Ahead Task Boxes Full Sped Ahead Assessments Full Sped Ahead Para Binder

Connect with Heather

Full Sped Ahead Mentorship Full Sped Ahead Instagram Full Sped Ahead Website

Connect with Dawn

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182.The Power of Training Your Paraprofessionals Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

We all know that we cannot survive in our special education classrooms without our paraprofessionals. This year I have several new members of my team and it has been somewhat of a learning curve. We can't expect our staff to walk in and know exactly what to do in all the day to day situations. It is imperative that we train them, continuously, in what is needed.

In this week's episode, I am sharing some ideas on the power of training your paraprofessionals. This training needs to be on-going and it needs to have a purpose and goals. You need your team, so make sure you are taking care of them.

In this episode you will learn:

How to approach ideas that feel new and awkward for your paraprofessionals
Ways to approach the training to most benefit your students
Actionable steps that you can take in the training sessions

Links and Resources

Fall + Halloween Tees for Special Educators and Paras Halloween Bundle Exceptional Collective

Connect with Dawn

Are you subscribed to my podcast? Trust me, you definitely want to do that so you don't miss a thing! Click here to subscribe in iTunes!

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181.Physical Education that Works for All Students Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever wished that your students with special needs had more opportunities to get involved in physical education, sports and even creative activities? Well, you are not alone! But finding those opportunities can often prove challenging…even when we try our best.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Lucy from Club Activo. Club Activo is an organization that creates those opportunities in schools and social organizations for all students. Lucy is a mom to children with autism and she realized that her children were being left behind from their peers in this area. She, along with a larger group of parents, decided to do something about it. Out of that came Club Activo, and now she is sharing all that she has learned so that everyone can have a chance.

In this episode you will learn:

How to help teachers and coaches adapt activities for students with disabilities
How physical activities can help all students feel connected
Ways to improve the soft skills through physical education
How the parents and caregivers of your students will also feel more connected

Links and Resources

Etsy Tees for Teachers Halloween Bundle Exceptional Collective

Connect with Lucy

Club Activo Website

Club Activo Instagram

Connect with Dawn

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180.How to Make Your Morning Meeting the Best Ever! Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

A morning meeting can look different in every single classroom. Sometimes they focus on basic skills, like understanding a calendar; and sometimes they focus on social-emotional skills, like friendship. No matter the purpose, having a morning meeting in your self-contained classroom is a great way to get your day started.

But what should you include to get the most out of them? How should you structure them? What resources will make your life easier? In this week's episode I am sharing tips and strategies on how to make your morning meeting the best ever!

In this episode you will learn:

What kinds of things you should include in a morning meeting.
The best way to structure your morning meeting
What kinds of resources will make your morning meeting the best ever
How you can have your morning meetings DONE FOR YOU!

Links and Resources

Spooky Daily Agendas {FREE}*(you can find other themes in my TpT store)

Morning Meeting Slides

Connect with Dawn

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179.Professional Development That Matters Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever sat through a professional development, especially as a special educator, and left feeling you wasted so much time? It is always amazing what we sit through that does nothing to help us in our jobs.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Alissa and Megan from PopPD about their new adventure aimed at helping teachers get what they need. PopPD is designed by teachers, for teachers to give training, ideas and strategies to improve teaching methods and allow teachers to reach their goals. It is, essentially, professional development that matters!

In this episode you will learn:

How to identify the steps that you need to take to be a better teacher
How to create action steps that get you to your goals
Ways to organize all the things coming at you so that you can breathe
Creating a realistic timeline for improving

Links and Resources

Connect with Dawn

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178.5 Tips for Creating Effective Special Ed Sub Plans Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

You know what? Sick days happen…and you shouldn't have to worry about how things are going in your classroom when you have to take a day off. This means that you have to be prepared beforehand. By creating effective special ed sub plans, you can focus on getting better.

In this week's episode I am sharing some tried and true tips of what you need to include in your sub plans to make the day run smoothly.

In this episode you will learn:

What to include in the sub plans
How to organize your sub plans
How to involve your assistants in the right way when you are out
How to prepare your sub for an emergency or unforeseen incident.

Links and Resources

Special Education Sub Plan Templates

Connect with Dawn

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177.Providing Access + Resources for Hard of Hearing Students Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

Do you work with students with hearing disabilities? Do you feel lost in connecting with them and truly meeting their needs? When you are not familiar with sign language it can be challenging to feel like you are able to make an impact on your own.

In this week's episode I am chatting with Cynthia from ASL Teaching Resources about things that you can do to make that impact. She is sharing 3 overviews that will make a difference.

In this episode you will learn:

How to start small but still make a big impact.
Why you should go slow when introducing sign language and making connections.
How to build on those small steps to grow your connection and your student's progress.

Links and Resources

Special Fall TShirts for Special Education Teachers Fall Themed Escape Room Community Based Trips Back to School Dough Mats Task Cards Exceptional Collective Membership

Connect with Cynthia

ASL Teaching Resources Website

ASL Teaching Resources LinkedIn

Connect with Dawn

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176.Back-to-School Night Tips for Special Education Self-Contained Teachers Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

Back-to-school nights or curriculum nights are essential opportunities for special education teachers to connect with parents and families and provide valuable information about the upcoming school year. For self-contained teachers working with students with multiple needs, these events can be particularly impactful in fostering a strong home-school partnership

In this week's episode, we delve into essential tips to make your back-to-school night a truly inclusive and informative experience. We'll explore ways to ensure that your presentations speak to all families, and students, regardless of their needs.

In this episode you will learn:

How to prepare a presentation that works for all needs.
Why you should have your room setup in an inclusive learning setting.
Fun ways to introduce your entire team to families.
About sharing various communication methods and how they will be used during the year.

Remember that back-to-school night is an opportunity to build a supportive and trusting relationship with parents, ensuring that they feel confident and involved in their child's educational journey. Your passion for teaching and dedication to your students with multiple physical needs will undoubtedly shine through, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved.

Links and Resources

Meet the Teacher Materials Back to School Special Educator Bundle

Connect with Dawn

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175.All Things Collaboration and Co-Teaching Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

Co-Teaching is a well known term in the special education world. It happens when two teachers are in the same classroom, one general ed and one special ed teacher, working with students with disabilities and students without. There are 6 different methods of co-teaching, all of them work in different situations. Finding what works can be daunting, but allowing students to learn in the least restrictive environment is what is best for everyone.

In this week's episode we have Meredith from Meredith Mitchell Methods sharing all things collaboration and co-teaching. She is sharing tips and strategies on how to make almost any co-teaching situation work.

In this episode you will learn:

The benefits of co-teaching for your students.
The 6 different methods of co-teaching.
How to work with your co-teacher instead of separately.
Where to find resources that will make things smoother.

Working with our students in the least restrictive environment, allowing them to learn there, should be the goal for us all. Co-teaching allows for those moments to happen.

Links and Resources

Back to School Case Manager Bundle

Email Templates for Special Education Teachers

Connect with Meredith

Connect with Dawn

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174.Unlocking Success in Self-Contained Classrooms: Tips for Special Education Teachers and Paraprofessionals For The First 5 days of school Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

The first week of school is an exciting time for both teachers and students in a self-contained classroom. Creating a positive learning environment from the very beginning of the first day is crucial for success.

In this week's episode, we'll explore ten engaging activities and lesson plans designed to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere during the first five days of school.

In this episode you will learn:

How to collaborate and communicate with your parapros and your students.
Why you should have clearly defined roles and expectations for everyone in your classroom.
What ongoing training you need to have in place for your parapros.
About implementing data collection and progress monitoring systems that work.

Remember, it's not just about the activities; it's about the connections we make and the impact we have on the lives of our students.

Links and Resources

Apple Emotions Worksheets

The Exceptional Collective

Back to School Bundle

Unlocking Success: How Paraprofessionals and Special Educator Teachers Find Success in Self-Contained Classroom Blog Post

Connect with Dawn

Are you subscribed to my podcast? Trust me, you definitely want to do that so you don't miss a thing! Click here to subscribe in iTunes!