How do I become a special education teacher? How do I get everything with data collection done? Where do I start in mastering something? How do I become exceptional at one thing? How do I perfect a special education classroom? Welcome to Be The Exception Podcast where we will answer all these questions and so many more. Each episode, host Dawn Ellis will bring you productivity tips, mindset motivation, special education strategies, education hacks, and inspirational stories that can help you become the exceptional human you were meant to be. We all have something that comes naturally to us that others would love to know more about. So let's start the conversation and learn from others, so we can grow together.
293. 5 Ways to Simplify Your SPED Classroom Before the Holidays
The holiday season can feel like a blur of glitter, behavior spikes, and teacher burnout.
In Episode 293 of Be The Exception, Dawn shares 5 ways to simplify your SPED classroom — so you can support your students and protect your peace.
You'll learn:
✔️ What routines are worth streamlining now
✔️ How to build in calm, quiet moments each day
✔️ Why you should prep sub plans before you need them
✔️ How to use repetition as a strategy, not a cop-out
✔️ When to give yourself permission to lower the bar
📦 Plus: Dawn shares her favorite low-prep units, editable sub plan templates, and visuals that make the season easier.
🎧 Listen now + grab what you need inside The Exceptional Collective.
Check out this blog post with classroom-tested ideas you can swipe:
Special Education Christmas Activities You'll Actually Use
Holiday Freebie: Grab it here
4 Dec 2025
292. How to Revise IEPs Mid-Year Without Losing Your Mind
Mid-year IEP revisions don't have to be stressful. Learn how to review student progress, adjust goals, and revise services with ease using templates and team input.
Body:
The holidays are approaching—and so are mid-year IEP reviews.
In Episode 292 of Be The Exception, Dawn shares practical strategies for updating IEPs based on Q2 progress and real-time data. Learn how to:
Know when to revise an IEP mid-year
Use academic + behavior data to guide changes
Collaborate with your team to make smart service adjustments
Use amendment templates to save time
🎧 Tune in for tips that will help you walk into your next IEP meeting with confidence (and way less stress).
🧠 Access the full set of editable IEP review tools inside The Exceptional Collective.
20 Nov 2025
291. Using Data to Drive Behavior and IEP Decisions (Before the Holidays Hit)
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 clarity.
🎧 Tune in now + grab the editable data tracker inside The Exceptional Collective.
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