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276.Classroom Setup Tips for Special Educators

Be The Exception In Special Education

Release Date: 08/07/2025

291. Using Data to Drive Behavior and IEP Decisions (Before the Holidays Hit) show art 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...

info_outline 290. How I Use Fall and Thanksgiving Activities to Build Communication and Core Vocabulary show art 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...

info_outline 289. 3 Low-Prep Ways to Acknowledge Veterans Day in Your SPED Classroom show art 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...

info_outline 288.Before You Plan November… Here’s What I’d Rethink as a Special Educator show art 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 ...

info_outline 287.Spooky Fun with Communication: Halloween Activities Using AAC show art 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,...

info_outline 286.Making the Most of AAC Tools in Daily Classroom Routines show art 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...

info_outline 285.Engaging Non-Verbal Students with Communication Systems That Work show art 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...

info_outline 284.How to Use AAC in Your Special Education Classroom (Even If You’re Just Starting Out) show art 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...

info_outline 283.Paraprofessionals & Data Collection: The Secret to Getting It All Done show art 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! !...

info_outline 282.Data-Driven Decisions in Special Education: Let the Numbers Lead the Way show art 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...

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Back-to-school season is officially here—and whether it’s your first year or your fifteenth, setting up a functional, organized, and calm classroom can feel like a lot. In this episode, I’m walking you through practical classroom setup tips specifically designed for self-contained special education classrooms.

You’ll learn how to create student-centered zones that actually work, set up visuals and systems that support independence, and avoid the common setup traps that lead to chaos instead of calm. I’ll also share some of my favorite go-to tools and organization hacks that have saved me hours (and my sanity) every school year.

Plus, don’t miss the free Classroom Setup Webinar—packed with examples, walkthroughs, and a printable checklist to help you set up your space without the stress.

🧩 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

  • Why classroom setup can make or break your first month back

  • How to define and structure classroom “zones” that work for your students’ needs

  • What visuals, tools, and furniture actually help (and what to skip)

  • How to set up your teacher space to avoid burnout midweek

  • Ways to organize your materials for smooth daily routines

  • The mindset shift from Pinterest-perfect to functionally fabulous

 

Links and Resources

 

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