Be The Exception In Special Education

Latest Episodes:

62.4 Rules for Writing an Effective IEP Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

We often feel like writing an IEP is the most difficult thing in our jobs as special educators. But if you break down the process, it can actually feel doable instead of overwhelming. Stephanie DeLussey from Mrs. D's Corner and the Intentional IEP joins me in this week's episode to discuss the 4 rules of writing an effective IEP. By learning to ask for help and working through some simple professional development, you will be well on your way to being an IEP master.

In this episode you will learn:

The benefits of including the parent in the IEP
How to learn the laws of IEPs without reading the entire law
How to understand how the pieces of an IEP fit together
About using what you already have in place and adapting it to fit the new

This summer, Stephanie is hosting a professional development geared towards all things special education! The line-up is impressed and jam-packed with actionable takeaways so you don't want to miss it. It is actually summer professional development that you can implement in your classroom this fall. Click here to learn more information.

Links and Resources

What To Do Freebie

Summer PD Series

IEP Week

The Intentional IEP Training

Connect with Stephanie

Mrs. D's Corner

The Intentional IEP

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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!

61.Teacher Planner, Made for Special Education Teachers May 27, 2021

Show notes

Life as a special education teacher is crazy...ALL.THE.TIME! There are so many meetings, paperwork deadlines and information about our students to keep up with. And somehow, we are supposed to "just remember". Well, I don't know about you, but my brain is full and I needed help! Enter the digital planner that I created with special education teachers in mind. In this week's episode I'm going to share all the goodies about this new resource along with some tips on how to use it. I have even included a discount code just for you!

In this episode you will learn:

The benefits of using a digital planner over a paper copy.
A step by step guide to using a digital planner.
How to calm the chaos and show up to everything prepared.
About all the options that a digital planner allows.

Connect with Dawn

Digital Planner Freebie

Digital Planner

Find me on IG

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!

60.Best Tech Essentials for Special Education Teachers: GSuite Edition May 20, 2021

Show notes

Technology in education has come so far in just the last few years. It seems like things change every single day. So how do we keep up? What works best for our special education students? What holds their attention but also keeps them learning? And what is the best thing for me as a teacher? There are so many questions!

In this week's episode I'm joined by Kara Guiff, a 31 year veteran educator who shares with us some of the latest and greatest in the educational technology world, and specifically how we can be using the GSuite to improve our work function and our student output.

In this episode you will learn:

The benefits of GSuite in collaboration with your virtual students.
How to adapt your lessons to work in a virtual classroom.
How to use Google forms to gather work and input from your students.
About learning even more from Kara.

Links and Resources

Setting Up Data in Google Forms Freebie Video

Wait List for Thriving in SpEd 3

Kara's Facebook Group

Connect with Kara

Kara's Website

Kara's Facebook Group

Wait List for Thriving in SpEd 3

Google Forms Freebie Video

Connect with Dawn

Digital Planner Freebie

Buy the Digital Planner Here

Find me on IG

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!

Leave a Review

If you are loving the podcast, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other teachers find my podcast and I love hearing what you think about the podcast as well. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what part of the podcast you found to be the most helpful!

59.How to Finish Out the Year Strong in Special Education May 13, 2021

Show notes

You made it! It is the end of the year and we have all survived...and at times even thrived...a pandemic. I am so proud of you and all that you have overcome. Let's finish out the year strong, and together. In this week's episode I want to share with you a few tips that have worked for me to add just a little calm to the chaos.

In this episode you will learn:

The benefits of still maintaining a schedule
How to adapt grading to make it easier on yourself
How to set up centers so you can get 1:1 time to observe goal progress
About prepare for next year so you are ready to start strong

Links and Resources

Easy Grading Rubric

Connect with Dawn

My Digital Products

Find me on IG

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!

Leave a Review

58.How to Incorporate Social Skills in the Special Ed Classroom May 06, 2021

Show notes

Title: How to Incorporate Social Skills in the Special Ed Classroom

Challenging behaviors can appear at any time from any student, but they always seem to be more prevalent in the Spring. Where do these behaviors come from and how can we respond appropriately?

Join me in this week's episode as I chat with Amanda and Danielle from Navigating Behavior Change for answers to these questions and more.

In this episode you will learn:

The benefits of using the scope and sequence method in teaching behavior
How to deal with Spring fever in your classroom
How to be a safe person for your students
About a teaching interactions checklist that can help you get started with teaching behavior the right way

Links and Resources

Teacher Interactions Checklist

Connect with Amanda + Danielle

Navigating Behavior Change Website

Navigating Behavior Change Membership Site

Navigating Behavior Change Facebook

Navigating Behavior Change Instagram

Connect with Dawn

7 Steps to Running a Smooth IEP Freebie

TpT Store

Etsy Shop

Find me on IG

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!

Leave a Review

57.How to Teach the Standards and IEP Goals Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

As special education teachers we are tasked with the unique job of teaching both state standards and a student's personalized IEP goals. It can be very overwhelming at times. In this week's episode, I'm going to share with you some strategies that I have found that can make things a little easier to balance.

In this episode you will learn:

The benefits of focusing on state standards in whole group instruction
How to use your one on one time for IEP goal instruction
How to turn circle time into state standard instruction
About breaking down the data for each of your students

Links and Resources

Easy Grading Rubric for Special Education

Data Freebie

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

Cultivating Exceptional Minds TpT Store

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!

56. 5 Organizational Tips for SPED Teachers at the End of the Year Apr 22, 2021

Show notes

Are your ducks a little out of line right now? Do you feel like you are completely overwhelmed to the point that you don't even know where to start? Join me as I chat with Lauren Larson from Structure Special Ed about all things organization in this week's episode.

In this episode you will learn:

The benefits of finding your own system
How to adapt what you already have in place
How to stop listening to what works for others and find your own path
About the benefits of trial and error

Links and Resources

Earth Day Freebie on TpT Store

Connect with Lauren Larson

Lauren on Instagram: @structuredspecialed

Lauren's website: www.structuredspecialed.com

Connect with Dawn

My Digital Products

Find me on IG

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!

Leave a Review

55.Test Taking Strategies for Special Education Teachers and Students Apr 15, 2021

Show notes

The end of the school year is right around the corner! Statewide testing and IEP season are both in full swing. So how do you and your students finish the year strong? Join me for this week's episode where I will share some tips and strategies for you and your kiddos to be the best that you can be!

In this episode you will learn:

The benefits of the pyeudonym PIRATES
How to help your students prepare for testing
How to stay organized and sane during IEP season
About being intentional with your time

Links and Resources

Test Prep Resources

IEP Input Forms

TpT Store

Connect with Dawn

Distance Learning Freebie

My Digital Products

My Distance Learning Products

Find me on IG

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!

Leave a Review

54.How to Become an Impactful Teacher Mentor Apr 08, 2021

Show notes

Being a new teacher can be such a scary thing. Some have just graduated and have a good foundation, others are coming from different fields entirely and need tons of support as they make the transition. Teacher Mentors an absolute necessity for those first crucial years. In this week's episode I'm chatting with Kasey and Madison from Ability Driven Teaching about how to be an impactful teacher mentor.

In this episode you will learn:

The importance of setting a schedule with your mentee
Simple ways to make yourself available throughout the day
Helping your mentee know what questions to ask
How to learn from your mentee

Links and Resources

Spring Bundle

March Escape Room Activity

Ability Driven Teaching on Instagram

Ability Driven Teaching Podcast

Madison's Website

Kasey's Website

Connect with Dawn

Distance Learning Freebie

My Digital Products

My Distance Learning Products

Find me on IG

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!

53.The Importance of Positive Praise & How to do it Correctly Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

The dream of every special education teacher is for their students to be in a positive learning environment: behaviors are appropriate, students are engaged and succeeding. So how do we get our classrooms to this utopia? One of the key steps is giving positive and specific praise as often as you can. In this week's episode we will talk about positive and specific praise and how to use it correctly to create your very own dream world.

In this episode you will learn: