Be The Exception Dawn Ellis

Templates are designed to make life easier…something we all need in the special education classroom, am I right? And if you are anything like me, the more templates you can use the better…why recreate the wheel every time you have to send that email asking for input? 
 
In this week’s episode I’m sharing all about the templates that I use. I will explain why I think templates are important, the types of templates I have found useful and how you can use them in your own room.



In this episode you will learn:
 
The benefits of using templates
Real world applications for templates
How my summer training will help you with templates and more! 




Links and Resources
Join the Summer Challenge
Join the Waitlist for The Exceptional Collective
  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! 
 

Ever taught a lesson that was a total flop? You found your students unengaged, the goals of the lesson were just off and everything seemed to go wrong. It happens…to all of us! But there are things that you can do if this seems to be happening to you on a more regular basis. 
 
In this week’s episode I’m sharing three things to consider
 
In this episode you will learn:
 
Signs Your Current Methods May Not Be Working Rethinking Your Approach Practical Tips for a Teaching Revamp Introduction to Free Summer Training


Links and Resources
Join the Summer Challenge
Join the Waitlist for The Exceptional Collective
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 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! 
 

Dr. Christine Reeve is a seasoned educator and a leader in developing strategies and resources for students with autism. With a passion ignited by her extensive experience, she founded Autism Classroom Resources, a platform dedicated to supporting educators and families.
In this week’s episode she is sharing all of her knowledge with us, including some incredible tips for those new teachers.




In this episode you will learn:
 
The journey that led Dr. Reeve to specialize in autism education.
Key strategies for setting up an autism-friendly classroom environment.
Techniques for managing challenging behaviors and promoting positive outcomes.
The importance of collaboration among educators, parents, and support staff.
Effective methods for integrating social skills development into daily activities.
How to create an inclusive classroom culture that fosters belonging.
Recommended resources and professional development opportunities for educators looking to deepen their understanding of autism.




Links and Resources
Autism Classroom Resources
Free Resources Library
Days of the Week Free Response Cards
Blog on Autism Classroom Setup
Resources for Setting Up Classrooms
Special Educator Academy
The National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence & Practice
The Autism Standards Project
Connect with Dr. Reeve
 
Facebook
Tik Tok
Website
 
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!

Welcome to Episode 214 of "Be The Exception In Special Education," where we dive into essential end-of-year activities for special educators. Host Dawn Ellis guides you through a strategic approach to close the school year with strength and prepare for the next. Whether you're tidying documents or reflecting on the year's progress, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring insights.
What You'll Learn:
Top 10 End-of-Year Tasks: Understand the critical actions special educators should take to finish the year strong.
Organizational Strategies: Tips on organizing physical and digital spaces to ensure a smooth transition into the next school year.
Professional and Personal Reflection: Guidance on how to reflect on the past year and plan for professional development over the summer.
Appreciation Techniques: Ideas for showing gratitude to support staff, co-teachers, and students.
Done-For-You Resources: Discover ready-to-use resources available in Dawn's TpT shop to simplify your end-of-year preparations.




Links and Resources
Summer Resources for the Special Education Classroom


 


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!

A visual in the classroom is an object, photograph, sign or picture that is used to communicate in some way. In the special education classroom they can be crucial to learning and mastery for our students.
 
In this week’s episode I am chatting with Kristin from Special Education Clubhouse about all things visual…what they are, how to use them and why they matter.



In this episode you will learn:
 
What are some visuals that support learning in the special education classroom.
What visuals you should be using now.
How to get started with visuals if you aren’t already using them.
Why visuals matter in student learning.




Links and Resources
Special Education Clubhouse Course Waitlist
Special Education Clubhouse Visual Schedules
Connect with Kristin
 
Special Education Clubhouse Instagram
Special Education Clubhouse Facebook
 
 


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!

Can you believe that summer is almost here??? If you are anything like me, the countdown has been on for a few weeks now and the excitement continues to grow. However, there still seems to be so much left on the to-do list!
 
In the week’s episode I am sharing some ideas on things you need to get you through! There are resource ideas, checklists and more.




Links and Resources
Morning Meeting Slides
End of the Year Bulletin Board
Summer Activities
Summer Dough Mats (includes Ice Cream theme)
Beach Themed Escape Room
Summer Color by Code
Exceptional Collective
Episode 159: How to Prepare Your Classroom for the End of the Year and Be Ready to Start Next Year Strong
Episode 162: 7 End of Year Summer Activities to Keep Special Education Learners Engaged


 
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!