Be The Exception In Special Education

 The holiday season can feel like a blur of glitter, behavior spikes, and teacher burnout. In Episode 293 of Be The Exception, Dawn shares 5 ways to simplify your SPED classroom — so you can support your students and protect your peace. You'll learn: ✔️ What routines are worth streamlining now ✔️ How to build in calm, quiet moments each day ✔️ Why you should prep sub plans before you need them ✔️...

Mid-year IEP revisions don't have to be stressful. Learn how to review student progress, adjust goals, and revise services with ease using templates and team input. Body: The holidays are approaching—and so are mid-year IEP reviews. In Episode 292 of Be The Exception, Dawn shares practical strategies for updating IEPs based on Q2 progress and real-time data. Learn how to: Know when to revise an IE...

 Feeling behind on data collection before midyear IEPs? This episode is here to help. In Episode 291 of Be The Exception, Dawn walks you through how to track behavior and academic growth in ways that actually work for busy special education teachers. You'll learn: What types of data to collect before the holidays How to track both academic and behavior on the same form What patterns to look for be...

 In this episode, Dawn shares how to use seasonal adapted units like Fall Leaves and Thanksgiving to hit AAC, core vocabulary, math, and reading goals in special ed classrooms. Seasonal doesn't mean shallow. In this episode of BTE, I'm walking you through how I use my Fall Leaves and Thanksgiving-themed adapted units to build communication and core vocabulary—without adding more to my plate. You'l...

 Learn three easy, respectful ways to acknowledge Veterans Day in your special education classroom. No complex crafts or prep required—just meaningful, inclusive ideas that build gratitude and community. Veterans Day is a meaningful opportunity to teach students about respect, service, and gratitude. But in special education, we often need to simplify, scaffold, and reduce prep—without losing the...

In this episode of Be The Exception in Special Education, I'm sharing 5 real things I've learned to do differently after the first quarter of the school year. These are the shifts I make when the fall honeymoon fades, behaviors spike, and burnout starts creeping in. If you're nodding "yep" to all of that—this one's for you. Inside the episode, we'll cover: Why I stop reinventing my centers The pow...

Halloween brings costumes, candy, and plenty of opportunities for communication. By weaving AAC into seasonal lessons, you can boost engagement and make learning stick. In this episode of Be The Exception, you'll learn: How to role-play trick-or-treating with AAC tools. Fun ways to label and describe costumes. A Halloween SEL activity using spider emotions. Links and Resources Halloween Freebie  ...

AAC isn't something you "add on." It's something you embed into the routines you're already doing. In this episode of Be The Exception, you'll learn: How to incorporate AAC into morning meetings, transitions, and centers. Real classroom examples of students engaging when AAC became part of routines. Tips for keeping paras and related service staff consistent. Plus, I'll share how my Core Boards an...

Non-verbal doesn't mean non-communicative. Every student has a voice — and with the right tools, we can help them use it. In this episode of Be The Exception, you'll learn: ✅ Why aided language input is a game-changer ✅ How to use partner-assisted scanning for students with limited motor skills ✅ Ways to build consistency with visuals across your classroom ✅ How to train your team with the Par...

AAC isn't just for non-verbal students. It's a powerful tool that supports communication for all students in special education classrooms. In this episode of Be The Exception, you'll learn: Why AAC matters for every student — not just those without verbal speech. Easy ways to start modeling core words every day. How to make AAC feel doable, not overwhelming. Plus, I'll share how our membership tra...

You can't be everywhere in your classroom — but your paras can help you capture the data you need to make smart instructional decisions. In this episode of Be The Exception, you'll learn: How to train paras in data collection without overwhelming them. Simple systems that make data logging easy and consistent. How to use tools like my Para Handbook to set expectations from day one. 🎯 Links & Reso...

Ever feel like you're teaching on autopilot because you've been working on the same IEP goal for months? Here's the truth: data — not instinct — should guide your next move. In this episode of Be The Exception in Special Education, I'm sharing what it really means to be data-driven, how to track and use academic, behavior, and functional skill data, and when it's time to adjust IEP goals. I'll als...

Most progress notes are too vague to be useful. But when you write them with clarity and intention, they become powerful tools for instruction and advocacy. In this episode of Be The Exception, you'll learn: The 4-part formula for writing progress notes that tell a story. How to connect your data directly to your instructional decisions. Real examples of vague vs. meaningful notes. Plus, I'm shari...

Progress monitoring is one of those things in special education that can either be your best friend or your biggest headache. I've lived both extremes. In this episode of Be The Exception in Special Education, I'm sharing: Why progress monitoring is more than a compliance task. The top mistakes I've made (and how you can skip them). My favorite tools that actually make data collection doable. You'...

Wish your classroom could run more smoothly without you constantly being the glue that holds everything together? In this episode, Dawn shares her go-to templates and systems that save time, reduce stress, and help paraprofessionals thrive. From data collection and IEP meeting tools to para training binders and daily systems, you'll walk away with practical ways to create an efficient, supportive...

Struggling with chaos during transitions, arrival, or center time? You might have a routine problem—not a student problem. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to teach and reinforce daily classroom routines in a self-contained special education setting. You'll learn how to build routines that support independence, reduce challenging behaviors, and make your classroom run like clockwork....

 Trying to juggle reading, science, and social studies in your special ed classroom without losing your mind? I've got you. In this episode, I'm breaking down simple, strategic ways to plan and implement adapted curriculum across three core subjects—without needing an extra hour in the day. Whether you're brand new or a seasoned SPED pro, these tips will help you streamline your planning, engage y...

Back-to-school season is officially here—and whether it's your first year or your fifteenth, setting up a functional, organized, and calm classroom can feel like a lot. In this episode, I'm walking you through practical classroom setup tips specifically designed for self-contained special education classrooms. You'll learn how to create student-centered zones that actually work, set up visuals and...

If your classroom has ever felt like a whirlwind of chaos (hello, Monday mornings!), then this episode is your go-to guide for turning the madness into magic. ✨ In today's episode, we're diving into: Why functionality is everything in a special education classroom The must-have tools that simplify your day (yes, visual schedules = lifesavers!) How to set up efficient zones that make transitions s...

Hey there, special educators! In this episode of Be the Exception in Special Education, we're diving into one of the most impactful ways to set your classroom up for a smoother, more successful school year—creating purposeful classroom zones. Whether you're just getting started or looking to refine your current setup, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you organize your space in a...

Welcome back to Be the Exception in Special Education! I'm your host, Dawn Ellis, and today we're jumping into one of the most exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) parts of back-to-school season—classroom setup! Whether you're a veteran teacher or fresh on the scene, this episode is packed with tips to help you set up a functional, organized, and stress-free special education classroom that works...

Ready or not, the new school year is just around the corner—and if your to-do list is already giving you anxiety, you're in the right place! In this episode of Be the Exception in Special Education, we're tackling that all-too-familiar beginning-of-year stress head-on. Whether you're staring down a fresh IEP caseload, knee-deep in classroom setup, or just wondering how you're supposed to do everyt...

Hey there, teacher friend! 👋 Ever feel like you're on an island in your special ed classroom? You've got IEPs stacking up, routines to run, and a caseload that never seems to quit. We get it—and you're so not alone. In this episode, Dawn is diving into the heart of what keeps us going: community and collaboration. Because while teaching special education can feel isolating, the truth is...you don...

Hey there, amazing educators! 👋 Feeling that mid-summer "I should probably start thinking about school stuff..." tug? You're not alone—and I've got just the thing to help you ease back into prep mode without sacrificing your poolside peace. 💦☀️ In today's quick and power-packed episode, I'm spilling all the details on the Summer Launchpad Challenge—your shortcut to an organized, smooth, and actu...

Let's be honest—most PD just doesn't get special ed. If you've ever sat through a training that had nothing to do with IEPs, visuals, or the beautiful chaos of your classroom… same.  That's why this week, we're ditching the fluff and diving into three totally free PD options made just for special ed teachers. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the scene, these resources are built to support y...