Be The Exception In Special Education

Title: Being Intentional with Wait Times as a Teacher

So what is wait time? How much should you give? There are so many questions when we deal with our students who are struggling with developmental delays and sometimes not enough answers. In this week's episode we will talk about the definition of wait times, the benefits of allowing for longer ones and how paying attention to the directives given makes all the difference in the world.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of allowing extra wait time
• How to adapt your directions to get a response from your students
• How to use effective prompts and verbal gestures
• About the consequences of not giving wait time

Links and Resources

Free IEP Goal Training Session

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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!

Our students come to us with so much background and history. There are pieces that can be traumatic and those affect their daily behavior in the classroom. So how do we deal with trauma in our students, how do we help them be successful in spite of their past?

In this week's episode I am joined by Rachel from Safe Space Teaching who will share with us strategies for creating a trauma informed classroom. Her tips are easy to put in place, but have a huge impact on learning.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of having systems in place to respond to behavior
• How to adapt small things in your classroom for a big impact
• How to consider your own habits and triggers
• About understanding the role of what your students bring to the classroom

Connect with Rachel from Safe Space Teaching

Rachel's Website:

https://www.safespaceteaching.com/

Rachel's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/_safespaceteaching/

The Trauma Supportive Classroom Method

https://www.safespaceteaching.com/trauma-course

Freebie, Classroom Trauma Checklist:

https://crafty-builder-9196.ck.page/940da297ee

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 ReviewIf 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!

Every special education teacher has to write IEP goals..it does not matter what level you teach or what grade level you work with. Writing effective goals does not have to be difficult. There are 5 easy steps that you can take right now that will have you feeling like a pro in no time.

Join me for this week's episode and learn to write data driven, measurable goals!

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of a Post-It Party to get organized
• How to write a SMART Goal
• How to know which areas a goal is needed
• About the relationship between the present level and the goal

Links and Resources

March Bundles for Special Ed

IEP Input forms

Special Ed Teacher Stickers

Connect with Dawn

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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!

We all know that one of the biggest factors in student learning is classroom management. But, how can we make strides in student behavior and organization? It all begins with being intentional! Join Erin Godwin from Organized in Elementary as she chats with me in this week's episode about decluttering and structuring your environment to become a rock star at classroom management.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of structure and routines in the classroom
• How to adapt to the needs of different groups of students
• How to be intentional with your classroom management plan
• About the benefits of decluttering your classroom and letting go

Links and Resources

https://organizedinelementary.com/organization-in-the-classroom-7-easy-and-actionable-steps/

https://organizedinelementary.com/7-tips-for-implementing-a-classroom-management-plan-that-works/

Connect with Erin Godwin

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Teacher Pay Teachers

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If you have spent any time in a classroom then you know that managing student behaviors can be a challenge. There are so many varied situations and structuring your classroom to meet the needs of each student is an ever changing task. Having some go-to tools can make life just a little easier.

Join me in this week's episode as we discuss building out your behavior toolbox.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of knowing the ABCs of student behavior
• How to the type of behavior occurring
• How to reinforce with positive feedback
• About the tools you need in your behavior toolbox

Links and Resources

Behavior Calendar

Behavior Visuals

IEP Input Sheets

Escape Rooms for Special Ed

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Scattered papers, pens laying around the room, data collection forms with ripped edges in a haphazard stack on the windowsill, seventeen windows open on your laptop...sound like your life? Then this episode is for you! You are a great teacher, you just need a few tips to get yourself organized so you can focus more on being present for your students.

Join me as I chat with Jennifer DeBrosse from Positively Learning about an organized classroom and organized data collection methods. Jennifer will talk you through working with your energy levels instead of against them, how to use what already works more efficiently and how to tackle those non-teaching tasks with ease. She also shares about her true love..the laminator!

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of an organized classroom
• How to adapt what already works for you to be more efficient
• How to collect data like the pro you are
• About repurposing materials you already have

Connect with Jennifer

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Resource Room

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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!

Predetermination is when any member of the IEP team makes decisions before the IEP meeting and fails to seek parental input in those decisions. This not only goes against what is in the best interest of the student, it is also illegal. IDEA states that parental input must be included in the IEP team's decisions.

In this episode, I will share with you 4 ways that you can avoid predetermination and all the legal headaches that can come with it. Don't worry, these are simple strategies that even the newest teachers can follow through with.

In this episode you will learn:

• The importance of not predetermining services for a student
• How to gather input from the parent before every meeting
• How to make sure that you are meeting the legal aspects of IDEA
• About ways to avoid predetermination

Links and Resources

Special Education Teacher Input forms (Digital & Printable)

Case Manager must-have bundle

Connect with Dawn

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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!

Mindset is all about our attitude and how we interact with our emotions. As teachers, especially this year we have to find ways to recognize the negative and then move past it to the positives. We need action steps to reach a mindset that allows us to be present for ourselves, our colleagues and our students and their families.

In this episode Lindsay Titus shares with us some easy and simple things we can do right now to improve our mindset. Join us as we learn about the journey out of Shouldville! She talks with us about recognizing our emotions, even the sad or frustrating ones, being present in that moment and then surviving to be a better you!

In this episode you will learn:

• How to improve your mindset in simple and easy ways
• The benefits of recognizing the truths that surround your teaching practices
• The importance of a simple piece of paper and a pen
• How to be present in all of your emotions
• About all the great resources (yes there are free ones!) that Lindsay offers

Links and Resources

Teacher Affirmations FREEBIE

Self-Care Checklist & Product

Winter Bundle For Special Ed Teachers

4 Simple Strategies for Special Education Teachers Needed in 2021.

I'm back and ready to tackle the last few months of school with you! There are many things to come in the next few weeks as we chat about all the things you have been asking for! For now, sit back and relax as we learn to love on ourselves and set some self-care goals and boundaries for 2021.

2020 was hard and 2021 has started off much the same. As teachers of special needs students we must find renewed energy, lower stress levels and to be honest some ways to just survive the remainder of our school year. One important way to do that is to engage in self-care.

We all know we need self-care, but how many of us actually take time in our day to make sure it happens? It's not selfish, it's necessary! We have an opportunity as we begin 2021 to make it a habit, to no longer pour from an empty cup. Listen along as I share some of my favorite ways to pay a little attention to you!

In this episode you will learn:

The benefits of taking time for yourself

How to find social time, even during a pandemic

Tips for an in-home spa night with friends

Ideas for a self-care routine that you can do on a daily basis

Links and Resources

Download the freebie here

Shop on amazon here

Connect with Dawn

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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!

Who is this for? This episode will appeal to special education teachers who often suffer from burnout and compassion fatigue but may not know how to create a self-care plan that will lead them down a path of improved mental health. By the end of the podcast, you'll have a list of resources, tips, and techniques that you can put into action immediately to begin creating a self-care plan that works best for you.

I'm a special education teacher/school leader who has maintained a passion for mindful living and personal mental health wellness in the midst of the many hats I wear. I've found the way to stay sane and balanced while working hard is to maintain a personal mindfulness practice woven throughout my day. I'm not talking about being mindful on command but rather creating moments throughout the day that allows you to be in the present moment. These mindfulness tips won't always feel natural, but over time they will become part of who you are. When I learned these lessons from my mindfulness practice over time they stayed with me. In this podcast episode, I talk about: The benefits of following a self-care calendar for special education teachers and how to use self-care plan.

Connect with Dawn

Distance Learning Freebie

My Digital Products

My Distance Learning Products

Find me on IG

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!