Are you new to Special Education this year? Or maybe you aren’t new but the last few years have been so overwhelming that you feel like you need a refresh this year? Being a special educator is no easy task. There are so many moving pieces and you have to be on top of all of them, at the same time! So how do you do it? 

In this week’s episode I am sharing some steps to get you ready for the new school year. These steps are easy to take, but will make a huge difference in how prepared you feel.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of prepping for everything as far ahead of time as you can.
• How to build rapport on your campus with professionals, your students and their parents.
• How to use surveys to their full advantage.
• About getting a handle on collecting data.

Links and Resources

Special Education Digital Planner

Special Education Teacher Organization Set

CBI Field Trips

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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!

It is back to school time..it is both exciting and a little sad as we let go of our carefree summer days for structure and schedules. And with back to school, there are tons of items on our to-do list. And sometimes we forget about a few key items as we get caught up in the chaos. Where do we start? What do we really need to focus on? What can wait until a few weeks into school?

In this week’s episode, I’m chatting with Heather from Full Sped Ahead about tackling that back to school list in just the right way. Whether you are a first year teacher or a veteran returning for another year, we are here to help you  get organized in the fastest way possible. 

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of getting your furniture set first.
• How to take inventory of your supplies before shopping at Target!
• How to set up a lesson planning system that works for you.
• About getting your data collection system organized from the start.

Links and Resources

Case Manager BundleSpecial Education Teacher Digital PlannerScience BundleSocial Studies Bundle

Connect with Heather from Full Sped Ahead

Full Sped Ahead Website

Full Sped Ahead Instagram

Full Sped Ahead Facebook

Parent Communication Blog Post

Parent BTS Input Form

Parent IEP Input Form

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

Etsy Shop

TpT Store

Have you been to Target recently? The back to school aisles are bursting at the seams and they are crowded with parents and a mixture of both sad and excited students. I still haven’t fully decided how I feel about summer ending. On one hand I want the down time that summer allows, but on the other hand I want the structure that school brings..and I miss my students.  But no matter how I feel, back to school is coming and we all need to get prepared.

In this week’s episode, I’m sharing 5 things that you need to do over the next few weeks to be the best special educator you can be. These are easy tips that won’t take up all your time, but will have a big impact on your classroom.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of creating an Amazon wishlist.
• Why you should choose one area of your room to improve this year and focus there..instead of trying to do it all at once. 
• About sharing the goals of your students with admin, paraprofessionals and other service providers.
• The importance of making time for yourself.

Links and Resources

Special Education Teacher T-Shirts

Special Education Teacher Stickers

Amazon Wishlist How to on Tik Tok

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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!

Progress monitoring is the evaluation of progress towards a target, based on improvement from frequent assessment. Wow! What a mouthful, right? Even the definition feels overwhelming!!!!! But it doesn’t have to be.

In this week’s episode I am chatting with Amanda Wilp from the Primary Gal about all things progress monitoring. She is sharing her top 3 tips to make it completely doable.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of realizing that you don’t have to be at perfection level on everything.
• Why creating a progress monitoring calendar at the beginning of the year makes life easier (and set reminders several weeks before).
• How to create a cheat sheet with student goals to keep yourself organized each quarter.
• About setting good routines so that you can work smarter, not harder!

Links and Resources

Special Education Digital Planner

Connect with Amanda Wilp

The Primary Gal Website

The Primary Gal Blog

The Primary Gal Webinars

The Primary Gal on Instagram

The Primary Gal on YouTube

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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!

Project based learning is an approach that gives students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through engaging projects that focus on issues they may face in the real world. But what does this mean in the special education classroom? How do we teach our students in a project based method? 

In this week’s episode I am sharing some ideas for project based learning in the adapted classroom. With specific ideas, strategies to keep you organized and even a way to fund it all, everything you need is inside!

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of project based learning.
• How to adapt your current lessons into project based learning lessons.
• How to pay for your project based learning without taking anything out of your own pocket.
• About ideas for new project based learning lessons.

Links and Resources

How to Write Grants for Your Classroom

Special Educator Digital Notebook/Planner

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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!

Let’s face it, IEP meetings can either make or break a special education teacher. If we can approach it as a positive, a road map to help our students, then we can really get behind the purpose and give it our all. But they can also be overwhelming and sometimes those meetings can even be a little scary. So how do we prepare to make sure that we are ready to lead the IEP meeting with confidence no matter what?

In this week’s episode I am chatting with my very own co-worker Meredith Mitchell from Meredith Mitchell’s Methods. She is an IEP guru in my opinion and has so many wonderful tips and strategies to help you feel fully prepared!

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of sending home a draft IEP BEFORE the meeting.
• How to adapt the order that you write the IEP components so that it doesn’t feel so overwhelming.
• How to say “not yet” to a parent instead of “no”.
• About the benefits of working ahead so you aren’t working behind.

Connect with Meredith Mitchell

Meredith Mitchell’s Methods Website

Meredith Mitchell’s Methods Instagram

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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!

I have been in full blown summer mode since school let out…sleeping in, reading for pleasure and days by the pool. It has been incredible, but I am just about ready to spend some time learning. You see, there comes a point every summer where I am ready to get better at being a special educator and spend some time in professional development. Sometimes as a special educator I struggle to find appropriate PD, which can be so frustrating. Where are all the good options?

In this week’s episode I am sharing some great ideas for PD that are intended just for you, my special educator friends. 

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of completing some PD over the summer.
• How to balance learning and rest during your break.
• Where to find PD ideas for special educators.
• Different types of PD so that you can learn in your way on your time.

Links and Resources

Amazon Favorites

Special Ed Socials

Special Ed Professional Development Ideas

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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!

What if I told you that robots are changing the way that our students both understand and communicate with their peers and others? It is true! There are robots out there that are specifically designed for the special education classroom. 

In this week’s episode I am chatting with Richard and Marleigh from Robokind about their incredible robots. They are breaking down everything that their robots do to help your students master their social emotional goals. 

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of using robots in your classroom.
• How to adapt your social-emotional goals to work with robots.
• How to teach your students with specially designed robots.
• About a proven social-emotional curriculum that works with robots.

Links and Resources

Ways to Fund Robots at Your School

Connect with Robokind

Robokind Twitter

Robokind LinkedIn

Robokind Facebook

Robokind Instagram

Robokind YouTube

Richard’s LinkedIn

Marleigh’s LinkedIn

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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!

School’s Out for Summer….did you just sing that in your head? I love summer for so many reasons. It is a great time to relax and recharge, while also squeezing in some learning on things that actually interest you.

In this week’s episode, I’m sharing some of my favorite books to add to your list for the next few months. This list includes both professional development and leisure reading. I always try to find some balance in my own reading and you should too!

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of finding balance in your reading list.
• How to find the link for the books (we are making it easy for you!)
• How to find similar books to ones you have enjoyed in the past.
• About both audio books and print copies.

This episode is brought to you by Mightier.

MIGHTER have developed programs that help kids improve their social skills. Through screen time activities that involves interactive play and physical movement. Instead of sitting still at home all day watching television shows or playing video games. Click the link above to find out more information about the program.

Links and Resources

Amazon Link for Books Mentioned

Reading List Blog

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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!

Life skills are so important for our students and many are often lacking even the basic things. This could be everything from washing hands to being able to fix a simple meal. As teachers, we know that having a grasp on these skills can mean the difference between having to rely completely on others and independence.

In this week’s episode I am chatting with Heather Hall from Special Needs Embracing Autism. She has been a special education teacher for 16 years and she is sharing some of her best tips to incorporate life skills into your classroom or practice no matter the age of your client.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of asking for help.
• How to adapt your centers to teach life skills.
• How to teach money skills to your students.
• About taking life skills into the community for even more learning.

Links and Resources

Special Needs Embracing Autism Freebie

Connect with Heather Hall

Special Needs Embracing Autism Instagram

Special Needs Embracing Autism Facebook

Special Needs Embracing Autism Twitter

Special Needs Embracing Autism Blog

Special Needs Embracing Autism TpT Store

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

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!