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

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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!

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 and Adapted Books with AAC supports make AAC practical and accessible in every classroom.

👉 Listen now + grab the resources.

Links and Resources

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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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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!

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 Para Handbook so communication doesn’t fall apart when you’re not in the room

🎓 Ready to go deeper?

Join me for the AAC Workshop — where I’ll walk you through how to implement communication systems in a way that works for your classroom. 🎉 Free for Exceptional Collective members 📩 Replays available 🧾 PD Certificate included

🔗 Sign up here

Links and Resources

• Halloween Resources for the Special Education Classroom

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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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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!

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 training, Say It Without Speaking, gives you practical, low-stress strategies and ready-to-use visuals to bring AAC into your daily routines.

👉 Join The Exceptional Collective today to access the training, visuals, and a community of teachers making communication a priority.

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The Exceptional Collective

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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!

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 & Resources:

• Blog: Training New Paraprofessionals in Special Education

• Paraprofessional Training Manual

• Exceptional Data Simplified Course

Connect with Dawn

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The Exceptional Collective

Subscribe

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!

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 also walk you through real classroom examples and show you how built-in progress monitoring sheets (included in my academic bundles) can simplify the process so you spend less time on paperwork and more time on meaningful instruction.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What “data-driven” means in special education beyond compliance

• How to collect and interpret academic, behavior, and functional skills data

• Practical examples of data tracking you can use right away

• When and how to adjust IEP goals for student success

• Simple tools to make data collection seamless during instruction

Links and Resources

• Science Units for Self-Contained Special Ed

• Social Studies Units for Self-Contained Special Ed

Connect with Dawn

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The Exceptional Collective

Subscribe

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!

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 sharing my free guide to help you Tackle Progress Reports Like a Pro so you can save time and stress less.

🎯 Links & Resources:

• Free Guide: Tackle Progress Reports Like a Pro

• Exceptional Data Simplified Course

Connect with Dawn

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The Exceptional Collective

Subscribe

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!

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’ll hear about my hybrid system that blends the speed of paper with the power of digital, plus real strategies you can start this week to make your data work for you.

If progress monitoring has ever made you feel overwhelmed, this episode will help you cut through the chaos and create a system you can actually stick with.

Links and Resources

• Progress Monitoring Templates

• Exceptional Data Simplified Course

Connect with Dawn

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The Exceptional Collective

Subscribe

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!

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 classroom that works—even when you’re pulled in ten directions.

• What templates save the most time in special ed classrooms

• How to batch print, prep visuals, and build a monthly system

• How to train paraprofessionals clearly and consistently

• Why reference binders and task lists help your team succeed

• Simple daily/weekly systems that reduce decision fatigue

Links and Resources

• Templates for SPED Blog Post

• Training New Paraprofessionals Blog Post

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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. Plus, we’ll talk about how to get paras and support staff on board with consistent systems from Day One.

• How to teach routines using visuals and repeated modeling

• The top 3 routines to focus on during the first week of school

• How to build structure into high-stress times like arrival & dismissal

• Ways to align your team and support staff with the same expectations

• How to avoid routine overwhelm and build slowly, one step at a time

Links and Resources

• 🛍 Visual Routine Tools & Para Training Materials: The Exceptional Collective

• 📥 Free Classroom Setup Webinar (includes zone/routine checklist)

Connect with Dawn

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The Exceptional Collective

Subscribe

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!