272. Start Smart: How to Tackle Beginning-of-Year Anxiety and Get Ready for Success
Be The Exception In Special Education
Release Date: 07/10/2025
291. Using Data to Drive Behavior and IEP Decisions (Before the Holidays Hit)
Be The Exception In Special Education
Feeling behind on data collection before midyear IEPs? This episode is here to help. In Episode 291 of Be The Exception, Dawn walks you through how to track behavior and academic growth in ways that actually work for busy special education teachers. You'll learn: What types of data to collect before the holidays How to track both academic and behavior on the same form What patterns to look for before revising IEP goals Ways to make your system para-friendly and sustainable If you're prepping for January IEP meetings, this episode will help you walk in with confidence and...
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290. How I Use Fall and Thanksgiving Activities to Build Communication and Core Vocabulary
Be The Exception In Special Education
In this episode, Dawn shares how to use seasonal adapted units like Fall Leaves and Thanksgiving to hit AAC, core vocabulary, math, and reading goals in special ed classrooms. Seasonal doesn’t mean shallow. In this episode of BTE, I’m walking you through how I use my Fall Leaves and Thanksgiving-themed adapted units to build communication and core vocabulary—without adding more to my plate. You’ll hear: Why seasonal units improve engagement How I hit multiple IEP goals with one activity Easy ways to incorporate AAC, fine motor, reading, and math What’s included in...
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289. 3 Low-Prep Ways to Acknowledge Veterans Day in Your SPED Classroom
Be The Exception In Special Education
Learn three easy, respectful ways to acknowledge Veterans Day in your special education classroom. No complex crafts or prep required—just meaningful, inclusive ideas that build gratitude and community. Veterans Day is a meaningful opportunity to teach students about respect, service, and gratitude. But in special education, we often need to simplify, scaffold, and reduce prep—without losing the heart behind the lesson. In this episode of Be The Exception, I’m sharing three low-prep ideas to bring Veterans Day to life in your SPED classroom: Visual “Thank You” card activities...
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288.Before You Plan November… Here’s What I’d Rethink as a Special Educator
Be The Exception In Special Education
In this episode of Be The Exception in Special Education, I’m sharing 5 real things I’ve learned to do differently after the first quarter of the school year. These are the shifts I make when the fall honeymoon fades, behaviors spike, and burnout starts creeping in. If you’re nodding “yep” to all of that—this one’s for you. Inside the episode, we’ll cover: Why I stop reinventing my centers The power of reviewing, not re-teaching What I always prep before November gets wild Why visuals matter more than ever in Q2 How to weave seasonal fun into academic goals ...
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287.Spooky Fun with Communication: Halloween Activities Using AAC
Be The Exception In Special Education
Halloween brings costumes, candy, and plenty of opportunities for communication. By weaving AAC into seasonal lessons, you can boost engagement and make learning stick. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: How to role-play trick-or-treating with AAC tools. Fun ways to label and describe costumes. A Halloween SEL activity using spider emotions. Links and Resources Connect with Dawn Subscribe Are you subscribed to my podcast? Trust me, you definitely want to do that so you don’t miss a thing! ! Leave a Review If you are loving the podcast,...
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286.Making the Most of AAC Tools in Daily Classroom Routines
Be The Exception In Special Education
AAC isn’t something you “add on.” It’s something you embed into the routines you’re already doing. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: How to incorporate AAC into morning meetings, transitions, and centers. Real classroom examples of students engaging when AAC became part of routines. Tips for keeping paras and related service staff consistent. Plus, I’ll share how my and make AAC practical and accessible in every classroom. 👉 Listen now + grab the resources. Links and Resources Connect with Dawn Subscribe Are you...
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285.Engaging Non-Verbal Students with Communication Systems That Work
Be The Exception In Special Education
Non-verbal doesn’t mean non-communicative. Every student has a voice — and with the right tools, we can help them use it. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: ✅ Why aided language input is a game-changer ✅ How to use partner-assisted scanning for students with limited motor skills ✅ Ways to build consistency with visuals across your classroom ✅ How to train your team with the Para Handbook so communication doesn’t fall apart when you’re not in the room 🎓 Ready to go deeper? Join me for the AAC Workshop — where I’ll walk you through how to...
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284.How to Use AAC in Your Special Education Classroom (Even If You’re Just Starting Out)
Be The Exception In Special Education
AAC isn’t just for non-verbal students. It’s a powerful tool that supports communication for all students in special education classrooms. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: Why AAC matters for every student — not just those without verbal speech. Easy ways to start modeling core words every day. How to make AAC feel doable, not overwhelming. Plus, I’ll share how our membership training, , gives you practical, low-stress strategies and ready-to-use visuals to bring AAC into your daily routines. 👉 Join today to access the training, visuals, and a...
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283.Paraprofessionals & Data Collection: The Secret to Getting It All Done
Be The Exception In Special Education
You can’t be everywhere in your classroom — but your paras can help you capture the data you need to make smart instructional decisions. In this episode of Be The Exception, you’ll learn: How to train paras in data collection without overwhelming them. Simple systems that make data logging easy and consistent. How to use tools like my Para Handbook to set expectations from day one. 🎯 Links & Resources: Connect with Dawn Subscribe Are you subscribed to my podcast? Trust me, you definitely want to do that so you don’t miss a thing! !...
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282.Data-Driven Decisions in Special Education: Let the Numbers Lead the Way
Be The Exception In Special Education
Ever feel like you’re teaching on autopilot because you’ve been working on the same IEP goal for months? Here’s the truth: data — not instinct — should guide your next move. In this episode of Be The Exception in Special Education, I’m sharing what it really means to be data-driven, how to track and use academic, behavior, and functional skill data, and when it’s time to adjust IEP goals. I’ll also walk you through real classroom examples and show you how built-in progress monitoring sheets (included in my academic bundles) can simplify the process so you spend less time on...
info_outlineReady or not, the new school year is just around the corner—and if your to-do list is already giving you anxiety, you're in the right place! In this episode of Be the Exception in Special Education, we’re tackling that all-too-familiar beginning-of-year stress head-on.
Whether you're staring down a fresh IEP caseload, knee-deep in classroom setup, or just wondering how you’re supposed to do everything and still enjoy your summer—breathe easy. I’ve got a plan for you. 💡
Here’s what you’ll learn today:
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🎢 Why beginning-of-year anxiety is so real (and how to manage it!)
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✅ The difference between anxiety and actual readiness
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📋 How small, strategic planning steps can bring major relief
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🧠 The mindset shifts that keep burnout at bay
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🛠️ Tips for IEP caseload management, classroom zones, and realistic goal setting
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🚀 A sneak peek into Start Smart Week + the Launchpad Challenge — your no-stress plan to prep for the year (without giving up your summer joy)
🎁 BONUS: I’m sharing FREE templates, tips, and short videos to help you organize, prioritize, and actually feel ready to start the year strong.
So grab a cold drink, put your feet up, and tune in—because you deserve a smooth (and sane) start to the school year.
👉 Let’s do this, one bite-sized chunk at a time!
Links and Resources
Connect with Dawn
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