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 r...
Oct 05, 2023•33 min
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 ...
Sep 28, 2023•17 min
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 ...
Sep 21, 2023•45 min
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 pl...
Sep 14, 2023•12 min
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...
Sep 07, 2023•37 min
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'...
Aug 31, 2023•13 min
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 Meredit...
Aug 24, 2023•28 min
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 s...
Aug 17, 2023•20 min
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 ...
Aug 10, 2023•29 min
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...
Aug 05, 2023•19 min
Summer break is almost over for most of us and the new year is right around the corner. If you are like me you are preparing for this to be the best year ever! If you are transitioning to, or starting the year, in an ECSE classroom you may be a little nervous about all the changes that are bound to happen. In this week’s episode I am chatting with Ashley from Spedtacular Days about her experiences moving from middle school to a Pre-K classroom. With her 11 years of experience she is giving strat...
Jul 27, 2023•27 min
A schedule is defined as “a plan for carrying out a process or procedure, giving lists of intended events and times”. In special education we are all about processes and procedures that benefit our students. Using schedules is one of those things that has many benefits. In this week’s episode I am sharing the whats, hows and whys of schedules. You will come away knowing the importance of using schedules in the SPED classroom. In this episode you will learn: What should be included in a schedule ...
Jul 20, 2023•18 min
Have you ever noticed there sometimes seem to be a gap between the special education teacher and general education teacher when it comes to accommodations and modifications? In order to best serve our students with disabilities we must bridge that gap. But how? In this week’s episode I am chatting with Tim Kretchman from Action Driven Education about all things accommodations, modifications and collaboration. He is sharing what 23 years in multiple positions in education has taught him about mak...
Jul 13, 2023•35 min
Lesson plans…love them or hate them they are a part of a teacher’s life and there is no way around it. While different schools require different types of plans, you need something to know what you are working on in the coming days. I have written every style of lesson plans and finally feel like I have a good handle on what works to keep me organized and keep my class flowing like it should. In this week’s episode I am sharing what works for me as I take a deep dive into special education lesson...
Jul 06, 2023•16 min
Can you believe that it is almost July? For me that means that my summer break is halfway over and I know that many of you are in the same space as me. I always take June to refill my cup and focus on my family, but when July rolls around I begin to put my teacher hat back on and think about the beginning of the school year. But knowing where to start on the checklist can sometimes feel overwhelming..especially for new teachers. In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Dr. Martha Briseno from ...
Jun 29, 2023•27 min
Thinking about all the things you need to start a new school year can be overwhelming. You know there are supplies and materials you need to create a classroom that is safe and interactive and organized and… Then once you’ve made your list of everything you need - the list that just keeps getting longer - you realize creating that classroom of your dreams is going to be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. There are items that are true “must-haves” and others that will make your life easier and...
Jun 22, 2023•13 min
Are you a special educator who is struggling to find professional development that makes sense? A PD that actually helps you in your day to day in the classroom? Well, then you are in luck! This summer I am teaming up with Jen from Teach, Love, Autism, Heather from Full Sped Ahead and Ashley from Spedtacular Days to give you bite-sized PD that you can apply right away in your classroom. In this week’s episode we are all sharing our favorite things about the group, what topics we will be covering...
Jun 15, 2023•18 min
As special education teachers, we understand the profound impact sensory processing differences can have on our students' engagement and learning. It's essential for us to understand and address these differences effectively. So, what exactly are sensory processing differences? Sensory processing differences refer to the way individuals perceive and respond to sensory information from their environment. Some students may be hypersensitive and find certain stimuli overwhelming, while others may b...
Jun 08, 2023•16 min
High school comes with its own set of challenges for everyone. This is especially true when working with students with moderate to severe disabilities. There are so many life skills that need to be taught and mastered that it can feel overwhelming for the teacher. We sometimes wish that there was a guidebook to get us headed in the right direction. In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Shari Pierce. She is a retired special education teacher after 33 years in the self-contained classroom. S...
Jun 01, 2023•28 min
As special education teachers, we know how important it is to keep our students engaged and learning, especially as we head into the summer months. Using some fun summer activities can be a great way to promote engagement and learning, while also giving students a break from traditional work. These activities can also help promote social and emotional skills, such as teamwork and self-confidence. In this episode you will learn: The benefits of creating fun learning opportunities to close out you...
May 25, 2023•10 min
When you became a teacher, you probably intended to stay in the field until retirement. However, the last few years have been hard and many of us are feeling more and more burned out. So…what do you do? Are there other options for teachers who choose to leave the education world? In this week’s episode, I’m chatting with Kassaundra Foster from Foster Content Solutions. She was a special education teacher who is now a social media manager for other small business owners. She is sharing about her ...
May 18, 2023•33 min
Students with disabilities often face additional challenges when it comes to social emotional development. This can stem from difficulties with communication, sensory processing and self-regulation. But how can we help as a special education teacher? In this week’s episode I’m sharing many strategies and approaches that special education teachers can use to support the social and emotional development of these students. In this episode you will learn the benefits of: Social stories. Therapy dogs...
May 11, 2023•15 min
The end of the year is upon us..{insert a little happy dance here}...and it is always such a chaotic time. There are so many moving pieces that we need to control and some days we are barely surviving, even when they are fun days. But, with a little organization and a little prep work, you can prepare your classroom for the end of the year and be ready to start next year strong. In this episode, Heather from Full Sped Ahead, is sharing some things that she has learned through the years to feel c...
May 04, 2023•27 min
Transitions are a critical part of life. We all have them and we all get through, but they can be especially challenging for students with diverse needs. The transition from school to post-secondary education or the workforce can be particularly daunting, as it requires students to navigate new environments, expectations and social norms. In this week’s episode, I am sharing strategies and techniques for supporting students when preparing for life after school. This can include vocational traini...
Apr 27, 2023•11 min
Parent communication is such a vital part of our jobs as special educators. We know this and want to do it, but man, it can be such a challenge to find the time to do it the right way. Our planning periods are often filled with meetings and we have families to get home to in the afternoons. So how do we communicate and build rapport with our student’s parents in the tight timeline we are forced into each day? In this week’s episode, I am chatting with my friend Jenn from Teach, Love, Autism abou...
Apr 20, 2023•27 min
As special education teachers, one of the most important goals we have is to help our students with communication impairments develop their language skills and effectively express themselves. Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, and for students with communication impairments, it can be a significant barrier to social and academic success. In this week’s episode, we’ll explore effective strategies and techniques for supporting students with communication impairments in the...
Apr 13, 2023•16 min
Can we just be honest for a minute and admit that writing IEPs is hard? It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned veteran or just getting started in the education world. A lot is riding on those pieces of paper for our students and we have to get it right. And of course we want what is best for our kiddos! But how can you feel confident in building out IEPs? In this week’s episode I am chatting with my amazing friend Stephanie. She is the brains behind both Mrs. D’s Corner and The Intentional IEP....
Apr 06, 2023•25 min
As special education teachers, we often encounter students with challenging behaviors that can make it difficult for them to succeed in the classroom. These behaviors can range from minor disruptions to severe aggression, and can be caused by a variety of factors such as trauma, mental health issues, or a lack of appropriate social skills. One of the most effective ways to address challenging behaviors is through the use of positive behavior supports or PBS. PBS is a proactive approach to behavi...
Mar 30, 2023•14 min
Classroom climates are based on the main moods, attitudes and standards within the room. It is all about how you and your students feel when you are in there working together and learning. Obviously we all want this environment to be a positive one. But, are there steps that we can take to help that happen? In this week’s episode I am chatting with Kelsey from Included in SPED about building a positive climate in your classroom. She is sharing some amazing tips that she has learned through the y...
Mar 23, 2023•28 min
As a special education teacher, one of your most important responsibilities is to differentiate instruction and adapt curriculum to meet the unique needs of your students with disabilities. Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that involves adjusting instruction to meet the diverse needs of students while adapting curriculum is the process of modifying or altering curriculum materials to make them more accessible to students with disabilities. In this week’s episode I am sharing the...
Mar 16, 2023•16 min
