Be The Exception In Special Education

High school comes with its own set of challenges for everyone. This is especially true when working with students with moderate to severe disabilities. There are so many life skills that need to be taught and mastered that it can feel overwhelming for the teacher. We sometimes wish that there was a guidebook to get us headed in the right direction.

In this week's episode, I am chatting with Shari Pierce. She is a retired special education teacher after 33 years in the self-contained classroom. Shari recently authored a book with ideas, suggestions, and actionable advice on topics that are concerning to parents and teachers of the intellectually disabled.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of involving the families of your students when deciding what skills to focus on in the classroom.

• How to use hands-on, actionable activities to teach them new things.

• How to incorporate multiple life-skills into basic activities.

• About what skills you should focus on the most.

Links and Resources

Life Skills: A Handbook for Parents and Teachers of the Intellectually Disabled

Connect with Shari Pierce

Shari's Facebook

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As special education teachers, we know how important it is to keep our students engaged and learning, especially as we head into the summer months. Using some fun summer activities can be a great way to promote engagement and learning, while also giving students a break from traditional work. These activities can also help promote social and emotional skills, such as teamwork and self-confidence.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of creating fun learning opportunities to close out your year.

• How to create a summer memory book for your students.

• How to host a game day in your classroom.

• About summer themed art projects that are fun and easy to do.

Links and Resources

Board Games in Special Education Blog

Beach Themed Escape Room

Community Based Virtual Field Trips

5 End-of-Year Activities in Special Education Classrooms Blog

FREE End of Year Agenda Slides

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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!

When you became a teacher, you probably intended to stay in the field until retirement. However, the last few years have been hard and many of us are feeling more and more burned out. So…what do you do? Are there other options for teachers who choose to leave the education world?

In this week's episode, I'm chatting with Kassaundra Foster from Foster Content Solutions. She was a special education teacher who is now a social media manager for other small business owners. She is sharing about her journey in leaving the education world behind and how her skills have helped her in that path.

In this episode you will learn:

• The skills that you already have that will transfer to other areas.

• How to take the steps to leave the education world behind.

• What are some other options for those with education degrees.

• About where to find more information about those options.

Links and Resources

End of Year Bulletin Board

Beach Themed Escape Room

5 End of the Year Activities in Special Education Classrooms Blog

Connect with Kassaundra Foster

Foster Content Solutions Instagram

Schooled in Socials Podcast

Free Reels for Teacher Authors

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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!

Students with disabilities often face additional challenges when it comes to social emotional development. This can stem from difficulties with communication, sensory processing and self-regulation. But how can we help as a special education teacher?

In this week's episode I'm sharing many strategies and approaches that special education teachers can use to support the social and emotional development of these students.

In this episode you will learn the benefits of:

• Social stories.

• Therapy dogs.

• Turning up the music.

• Board games.

• Positivity

Links and Resources

Summer Countdown Bulletin Board

Emotions & Feelings Bundle

Benefits of Using Board Games in Special Education Blog

Episode 63: Benefits of Using Board Games in Special Education

Connect with Dawn

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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!

The end of the year is upon us..{insert a little happy dance here}...and it is always such a chaotic time. There are so many moving pieces that we need to control and some days we are barely surviving, even when they are fun days. But, with a little organization and a little prep work, you can prepare your classroom for the end of the year and be ready to start next year strong.

In this episode, Heather from Full Sped Ahead, is sharing some things that she has learned through the years to feel confident and prepared.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of admitting that you don't know it all and you can ask for help.

• How to make sure IEPs are organized and tied up for the year.

• How to declutter the junk.

• About updating materials and resources so that they are ready for next year.

Links and Resources

Special Education Classroom Setup Checklist and Guide for Teachers

New Student Profile At a Glance

5 End of Year Activities In Special Education Classrooms Blog

End of the Year Escape Room

Connect with Perry LaRoque

Full Sped Ahead Mentorship Program

Full Sped Ahead Data Collection Mini Course

Full Sped Ahead Facebook

Full Sped Ahead Instagram

Full Sped Ahead Website

Connect with Dawn

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Etsy Shop

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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!

Transitions are a critical part of life. We all have them and we all get through, but they can be especially challenging for students with diverse needs. The transition from school to post-secondary education or the workforce can be particularly daunting, as it requires students to navigate new environments, expectations and social norms.

In this week's episode, I am sharing strategies and techniques for supporting students when preparing for life after school. This can include vocational training and higher education or finding a job. I am discussing the importance of taking a comprehensive and individualized approach to transition planning, collaborating with families and community partners, and teaching self-advocacy and executive functioning skills.

In this episode you will learn:

• An introduction to the importance of transition planning and support for students with diverse needs.

• Strategies for taking a comprehensive and individualized approach to transition planning, including identifying strengths, challenges and goals.

• The importance of collaboration with families and community partners in supporting students' transition to life after school.

• The role of self-advocacy and executive functioning skills in supporting students' transition to life after high school.

• Strategies for preparing students for vocational training and higher education, including identifying appropriate programs and providing individualized support.

Connect with Dawn

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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!

Parent communication is such a vital part of our jobs as special educators. We know this and want to do it, but man, it can be such a challenge to find the time to do it the right way. Our planning periods are often filled with meetings and we have families to get home to in the afternoons. So how do we communicate and build rapport with our student's parents in the tight timeline we are forced into each day?

In this week's episode, I am chatting with my friend Jenn from Teach, Love, Autism about some out of the box ideas that will keep your parents informed without completely overwhelming you.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of making time to communicate with parents.

• How to have your students help with the communication piece.

• How to communicate in ways other than a lengthy phone call.

• About being okay with saying you are sorry when something doesn't go right.

Links and Resources

Taking Flight: The Guide to College for Diverse Learners and Non-Traditional Students

Connect with Perry LaRoque

Teach, Love, Autism Instagram

Teach, Love, Autism Facebook

Teach, Love, Autism Website

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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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!

As special education teachers, one of the most important goals we have is to help our students with communication impairments develop their language skills and effectively express themselves. Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, and for students with communication impairments, it can be a significant barrier to social and academic success.

In this week's episode, we'll explore effective strategies and techniques for supporting students with communication impairments in their language development journey.

In this episode you will learn:

• An overview of AAC systems and how they can help in the classroom.

• How to use visual supports to help your students communicate.

• An explanation of social skills instruction and how it benefits language development.

• Strategies for creating a supportive environment in the classroom that encourages communication.

Links and Resources

Special Education Teacher Stickers

Connect with Dawn

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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!

Can we just be honest for a minute and admit that writing IEPs is hard? It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned veteran or just getting started in the education world. A lot is riding on those pieces of paper for our students and we have to get it right. And of course we want what is best for our kiddos! But how can you feel confident in building out IEPs?

In this week's episode I am chatting with my amazing friend Stephanie. She is the brains behind both Mrs. D's Corner and The Intentional IEP. As an IEP coach she has so much knowledge on how to start an IEP, how to stay organized throughout and how to feel confident in the process. She is sharing tips and some freebies so that you can enter this IEP season more ready than you have ever been.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of understanding that writing an IEP is actually a team event.

• How to delegate certain steps of the process.

• How to use a solid calendar to make your life easier.

• About the meat and potatoes of an IEP…the Present Level of Performance.

Links and Resources

IEP Meeting Blog Post

IEP Meeting Checklist

IEP Writing Timeline

Science Year Long Bundle

Social Studies Year Long Bundle

Connect with Stephanie

Mrs. D's Corner

The Intentional IEP

Connect with Dawn

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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!

As special education teachers, we often encounter students with challenging behaviors that can make it difficult for them to succeed in the classroom. These behaviors can range from minor disruptions to severe aggression, and can be caused by a variety of factors such as trauma, mental health issues, or a lack of appropriate social skills.

One of the most effective ways to address challenging behaviors is through the use of positive behavior supports or PBS. PBS is a proactive approach to behavior management that focuses on teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors, rather than simply punishing the negative behaviors.

In this week's episode I am sharing some tips and strategies that will help you unlock the power of positive behavior supports.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of positive language.

• How redirection can change things in your classroom.

• How to stay consistent in your behavior management.

• About visual supports for your students.

Links and Resources

Plant Collection Stickers for Special Education Teachers

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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Etsy Shop

TpT Store

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!