227.Mastering the Alternate Standards: Strategies for Success for Special Education Teachers
Be The Exception In Special Education
Release Date: 08/22/2024
250. Consistency Is Key: Behavior Management Tips That Will Change Your Special Education Classroom
Be The Exception In Special Education
In this episode of Be The Exception in Special Education, I chat with Abby from Mrs. Moeâs Modifications about behavior management strategies that actually work in special education classrooms. Abby shares her tried-and-tested techniques, including how to prioritize behavior interventions, the most overlooked factor in addressing challenging behaviors, and how to build lasting relationships with your students. We also talk about the importance of consistency, family involvement, and practical tools to track student behavior and progress. What Youâll Learn in This Episode: How to...
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249.Mastering IEP Service Pages + Fun Winter Activities for Special Education Teachers
Be The Exception In Special Education
This week, weâre tackling two key topics: how to write effective and compliant IEP service pages, and creative ways to bring winter-themed learning into your special education classroom. From tips on avoiding common IEP mistakes to fun Groundhog Day activities, this episode is packed with tools and strategies to support you and your students this season. What Youâll Learn in This Episode: How to write clear and actionable services pages in IEPs. Common mistakes to avoid when detailing services. Engaging winter activities to support IEP goals. Creative ways to celebrate Groundhog...
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248.IEP Writing Mastery: Simplify the Process with Templates That Work
Be The Exception In Special Education
If IEP writing feels like an uphill battle, this episode is here to help. Weâre breaking down how to use easy-to-follow templates to save time, stay organized, and write impactful IEPs for your students. Tune in to learn practical tips, discover helpful tools, and feel more confident heading into your next IEP meeting. What Youâll Learn in This Episode: Why templates are a game-changer for IEP writing. Key features of effective IEP templates. Step-by-step tips for using templates to simplify the process. Tools and resources to make your IEP season stress-free. Links and...
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247.Best Strategies for Writing IEP Goals for Special Education Teachers
Be The Exception In Special Education
In this episode, weâre tackling one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of special education: writing IEP goals. Learn actionable strategies, discover helpful tools, and avoid common mistakes as you craft meaningful and measurable goals for your students. What Youâll Learn in This Episode: The four key elements of a strong IEP goal. Practical strategies to simplify goal writing. Tools and templates to save time and stay organized. Common pitfalls to avoid in the IEP writing process. Links and Resources Connect with Dawn ...
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246.5 Steps to Avoid Self-Sabotage During IEP Season
Be The Exception In Special Education
In this episode of Be The Exception in Special Education, we chat with Liz Sherman, the founder of Inclusion Disco, about avoiding self-sabotage during progress report season, improving collaboration with general education teachers, and staying student-focused through the chaos of data collection. Liz shares her insights on how to shift your mindset, stay positive, and communicate effectively with colleagues. If youâre feeling overwhelmed by the demands of progress reports, this episode is full of practical strategies to help you navigate this busy season with a renewed perspective. In...
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245.New Year, New Semester: A Special Ed Teacherâs Guide to Reigniting Your Classroom
Be The Exception In Special Education
As we step into January 2024, we understand that returning to the classroom after a winter break can be both exciting and overwhelming. In todayâs episode, weâre diving into 7 essential tips to help you refresh your routines, reconnect with your students, and ensure the new semester starts on the right foot. Whether itâs re-establishing classroom expectations, prioritizing self-care, or focusing on social and emotional learning, weâve got you covered with actionable strategies that will make your second semester a success. So grab a cup of coffee, and letâs turn the page together!...
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244. A Year in Review: Best of 'Be The Exception in Special Education' 2024
Be The Exception In Special Education
Join me as we wrap up 2024 and reflect on the biggest milestones of the year, both personally and professionally. From hitting 100K podcast downloads and seeing myself featured in Times Square to serving hundreds of special education teachers, this year has been filled with growth, learning, and a few surprises. Plus, get a sneak peek at whatâs coming in 2025, including new resources, a fresh community platform, and much more! Letâs take a moment to celebrate YOU and everything weâve accomplished together. In this episode, youâll hear about: Business highlights of the year, including...
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243.Fighting Burnout in Special Education: 6 Tips to Protect Your Energy
Be The Exception In Special Education
As a special education teacher, burnout can feel like an inevitable part of the job. The demands of supporting students with diverse needs, managing paperwork, attending endless meetings, and giving your all every single day can leave you feeling drained, overstimulated, and completely exhausted. If youâve been there (trust me, Iâve been there too), you know how hard it is to keep giving when you have nothing left to offer. In this episode, Iâm sharing personal strategies to help combat burnout as a special education teacher. Iâm talking about setting boundaries, managing expectations,...
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242.Unlocking Social Skills with Robots: The Future of Assistive Technology in Special Education
Be The Exception In Special Education
If you're an educator looking to bring more tech into your classroom that not only engages your students but also gives them the tools they need to succeed socially and academically, this episode is for you! In this episode, we revisit the team at RoboKind and explore their recent pivot to virtual avatars and how this shift is benefiting special education classrooms. In this episode you will learn: Customization & Differentiation: How educators can customize avatars to meet individual student needs. Practical Classroom Use: What a typical lesson looks like using virtual...
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241.Making Holiday Learning Fun: Special Education Christmas Activities
Be The Exception In Special Education
The holiday season is a busy time for educators, but itâs also a great opportunity to engage your students with fun, festive learning activities. In this episode, Iâm sharing how my bundle can help special educators maintain a structured, engaging classroom while celebrating the holidays. Learn how math, literacy, social skills, and even fine motor activities can be taught with a holiday twist, making learning more enjoyable and accessible for your students. In this episode you will learn about: Hands-on learning with Christmas counting mats and number mats Holiday-themed...
info_outlineAlternate achievement standards, also known as AAS, are academic standards that different states, like Alabama, use for students with significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to participate in general assessments.
These standards are aligned with grade-level academic content standards, but may be less complex, deep, and broad. The goal of alternate standards is to help students achieve higher academic outcomes and prepare them for the future.
In this episode:
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đ Discover why the one-size-fits-all approach to AAS doesnât cut it and what to do instead
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3ď¸âŁ Learn the AAS Strategy Trifectaâ3 critical elements that will elevate your teaching game
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đĽď¸ Get a peek at my must-have resources and tools for effective AAS implementation
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âď¸ Understand the hidden benefits and time savers involved in AAS bundle in my TPT shop
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đŠđźâđŹ Find out the 5 commandments to follow for successful AAS integration into your classroom
Links and Resources
The Ultimate AAS Teaching Toolkit Freebie!
Teaching Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards Curriculum
Teaching Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards Blog
Teaching the Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards Facebook Group
Connect with Dawn
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