Have you ever wished that your students with special needs had more opportunities to get involved in physical education, sports and even creative activities? Well, you are not alone! But finding those opportunities can often prove challenging…even when we try our best.

In this week’s episode I am chatting with Lucy from Club Activo. Club Activo is an organization that creates those opportunities in schools and social organizations for all students. Lucy is a mom to children with autism and she realized that her children were being left behind from their peers in this area. She, along with a larger group of parents, decided to do something about it. Out of that came Club Activo, and now she is sharing all that she has learned so that everyone can have a chance.

In this episode you will learn:

• How to help teachers and coaches adapt activities for students with disabilities

• How physical activities can help all students feel connected

• Ways to improve the soft skills through physical education

• How the parents and caregivers of your students will also feel more connected

Links and Resources

Etsy Tees for TeachersHalloween BundleExceptional Collective

Connect with Lucy

Club Activo Website

Club Activo Instagram

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A morning meeting can look different in every single classroom. Sometimes they focus on basic skills, like understanding a calendar; and sometimes they focus on social-emotional skills, like friendship. No matter the purpose, having a morning meeting in your self-contained classroom is a great way to get your day started.

But what should you include to get the most out of them? How should you structure them? What resources will make your life easier? In this week’s episode I am sharing tips and strategies on how to make your morning meeting the best ever!

In this episode you will learn:

• What kinds of things you should include in a morning meeting.

• The best way to structure your morning meeting

• What kinds of resources will make your morning meeting the best ever

• How you can have your morning meetings DONE FOR YOU!

Links and Resources

Spooky Daily Agendas {FREE}*(you can find other themes in my TpT store)

Morning Meeting 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!

Have you ever sat through a professional development, especially as a special educator, and left feeling you wasted so much time? It is always amazing what we sit through that does nothing to help us in our jobs. 

In this week’s episode I am chatting with Alissa and Megan from PopPD about their new adventure aimed at helping teachers get what they need. PopPD is designed by teachers, for teachers to give training, ideas and strategies to improve teaching methods and allow teachers to reach their goals. It is, essentially, professional development that matters!

In this episode you will learn:

• How to identify the steps that you need to take to be a better teacher

• How to create action steps that get you to your goals

• Ways to organize all the things coming at you so that you can breathe

• Creating a realistic timeline for improving

Links and Resources

PopPD Website

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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 know what? Sick days happen…and you shouldn’t have to worry about how things are going in your classroom when you have to take a day off. This means that you have to be prepared beforehand. By creating effective special ed sub plans, you can focus on getting better.

In this week’s episode I am sharing some tried and true tips of what you need to include in your sub plans to make the day run smoothly.

In this episode you will learn:

• What to include in the sub plans

• How to organize your sub plans

• How to involve your assistants in the right way when you are out

• How to prepare your sub for an emergency or unforeseen incident.

Links and Resources

Special Education Sub Plan Templates

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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! 

Do you work with students with hearing disabilities? Do you feel lost in connecting with them and truly meeting their needs? When you are not familiar with sign language it can be challenging to feel like you are able to make an impact on your own.

In this week’s episode I am chatting with Cynthia from ASL Teaching Resources about things that you can do to make that impact. She is sharing 3 overviews that will make a difference. 

In this episode you will learn:

• How to start small but still make a big impact.

• Why you should go slow when introducing sign language and making connections.

• How to build on those small steps to grow your connection and your student’s progress.

Links and Resources

Special Fall TShirts for Special Education TeachersFall Themed Escape RoomCommunity Based TripsBack to School Dough MatsTask CardsExceptional Collective Membership

Connect with Cynthia

ASL Teaching Resources Website

ASL Teaching Resources LinkedIn

Cynthia’s Freebie

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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!

Back-to-school nights or curriculum nights are essential opportunities for special education teachers to connect with parents and families and provide valuable information about the upcoming school year. For self-contained teachers working with students with multiple needs, these events can be particularly impactful in fostering a strong home-school partnership

In this week’s episode, we delve into essential tips to make your back-to-school night a truly inclusive and informative experience. We'll explore ways to ensure that your presentations speak to all families, and students, regardless of their needs. 

In this episode you will learn:

• How to prepare a presentation that works for all needs.

• Why you should have your room setup in an inclusive learning setting.

• Fun ways to introduce your entire team to families.

• About sharing various communication methods and how they will be used during the year.

Remember that back-to-school night is an opportunity to build a supportive and trusting relationship with parents, ensuring that they feel confident and involved in their child's educational journey. Your passion for teaching and dedication to your students with multiple physical needs will undoubtedly shine through, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved.

Links and Resources

Meet the Teacher Materials Back to School Special Educator Bundle

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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!

Co-Teaching is a well known term in the special education world. It happens when two teachers are in the same classroom, one general ed and one special ed teacher, working with students with disabilities and students without. There are 6 different methods of co-teaching, all of them work in different situations. Finding what works can be daunting, but allowing students to learn in the least restrictive environment is what is best for everyone. 

In this week’s episode we have Meredith from Meredith Mitchell Methods sharing all things collaboration and co-teaching. She is sharing tips and strategies on how to make almost any co-teaching situation work.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of co-teaching for your students.

• The 6 different methods of co-teaching.

• How to work with your co-teacher instead of separately.

• Where to find resources that will make things smoother.

Working with our students in the least restrictive environment, allowing them to learn there, should be the goal for us all. Co-teaching allows for those moments to happen.

Links and Resources

Back to School Case Manager Bundle

Email Templates for Special Education Teachers

Connect with Meredith

Meredith’s Website

Meredith’s Facebook

Meredith’s Instagram

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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 first week of school is an exciting time for both teachers and students in a self-contained classroom. Creating a positive learning environment from the very beginning of the first day is crucial for success. 

In this week’s episode, we'll explore ten engaging activities and lesson plans designed to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere during the first five days of school.

In this episode you will learn:

• How to collaborate and communicate with your parapros and your students.

• Why you should have clearly defined roles and expectations for everyone in your classroom.

• What ongoing training you need to have in place for your parapros.

• About implementing data collection and progress monitoring systems that work.

Remember, it's not just about the activities; it's about the connections we make and the impact we have on the lives of our students.

Links and Resources

Apple Emotions Worksheets

The Exceptional Collective

Back to School Bundle

Unlocking Success: How Paraprofessionals and Special Educator Teachers Find Success in Self-Contained Classroom Blog Post

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!

What the heck is an adapted book and how am I supposed to use it? Adapted books are books that are modified in some way to make reading accessible for students with disabilities. There are so many ways that you can use them in your classroom. Anytime you are doing a reading activity, you can have an adapted book for those who need it. You can make your students feel engaged with all lessons.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of creating or finding adapted books for your students.

• How to find adapted books or create your own.

• Success stories from using adapted books.

• About active engagement for all students in your classroom in multiple subject areas.

Tune in to this episode of Be The Exception Podcast to gain knowledge about adapted books and how you can expand the reading abilities of ALL you students.

Links and Resources

Back to School Special Educator Bundle

Connect with Tara

Autism Little Learners Instagram

Autism Little Learners Website

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!

In this episode of "Be The Exception," we are thrilled to provide new special education teachers with the guidance and support they need to kick start their year with confidence and success. Join us as we share essential tips, real-world examples, and must-have items for creating a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.

In this episode you will learn:

• The benefits of understanding your students from more than an academic level.

• How to create an inclusive classroom.

• Why you need to collaborate for success.

• About planning around the IEP goals.

Tune in to this episode of Be The Exception Podcast to gain valuable insights and actionable strategies that will help you create a meaningful and impactful learning experience for your students. Whether you're a seasoned educator or a new teacher, this episode has something for everyone.

Links and Resources

Back to School Special Educator Bundle

Connect with Dawn

Find me on IG

Find me on Tik Tok

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!