Inclusive Education Project Podcast

Today’s show is a replay of the Thriving Special Families podcast hosted by Crystal Sanford. We appeared as guests on Crystal’s live podcast on September 22; the episode is titled “Compensatory Education: Where Are We Now?” You can view the video podcast on YouTube or find the link on Crystal’s website. She is a consultant with Sandford Autism Consulting and is passionate about working with families and community members. It was nice to talk to someone who understands the nuances of compensatory education. We dove deep into the topic, along with tips and tricks for getting compensatory education in this time of COVID. Join us to learn more! Show Highlights: How Vickie and Amanda were led to become special education attorneys How compensatory education is defined as “a way to put a student in the place they would have been if not deprived of special education-related services” How the comp ed law is an equitable remedy for the harm that has occurred; it can be educational services for the student OR reimb

We have said it before: this school year is like no other. Now we are all dealing with the uncertainty of an upcoming holiday season that may be very stressful for parents, teachers, and students. There are simple practices and tools we can use with people of all ages to manage and reduce stress. Join us to learn more! Lynn Jimenez is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Connect-Flow-Grow Coaching & Therapy. Her past experiences include school mental health, foster care, and substance abuse prevention. She has taught prevention through restorative practices in general education and has taught teachers how to integrate social and emotional learning and conversations into their teaching style in their classrooms. As a mom of three boys, Lynn has practiced these skills at home, which has transformed their family experience as the boys have learned to interact better with each other. Show Highlights: Why the strategies used in special education should be used by all general education teach

It’s safe to say that everyone in education is being stretched to their limits. Earlier optimism back in the summer has given way to a sense of drudgery that we find ourselves back in the same COVID-impacted situations as in the previous school year. We are excited to have today’s guest, a teacher and advocate, to share her perspective. Join us to learn more! Jessica Keogh has an undiagnosed neuromuscular disorder from birth that limits her physical abilities and keeps her in a wheelchair. Despite her disability, she’s been a special education teacher for the past ten years. She also runs the nonprofit Faith Above My Ability, which educates people and advocates for people with disabilities. The main goals of the organization are to change the narrative around disability, advocate for policy changes, and develop curricula that are truly inclusive. Show Highlights: An overview of this school year from Jessica’s viewpoint in light of the lack of paraprofessionals How administrations are dealing with the chal

We are all dealing with the regression that some of our students have experienced through these COVID-affected times. We went from having a hope of real innovation of inclusive education to a focus on mere survival. Today’s guest shares insights into the evidence-based need for inclusion, practical steps to bring inclusion, and the barriers that still remain in school systems. Join us to learn more! Diane Ryndak is a professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the Department of Specialized Education Services in relation to students with significant disabilities. She works in teacher training for undergraduates and doctoral students, and she works closely with school districts to bring systemic reform for improved student outcomes. Show Highlights: How Diane was led at an early age into advocating for marginalized students How Diane works in teacher training and affecting state policies regarding inclusive educational services for students with disabilities Why most school districts as a

We are all in the middle of the adventure that has become this school year. The only certainty seems to be that uncertainty continues, and we have to make adjustments along the way. Gratitude is a mindset that has become more relevant than ever, and teaching gratitude practices can help set our students up for success in the classroom right now and in their lives for the future. Join us for a closer look at learning to live with gratitude and intention! Nicole Thomson is a wife, mom, teacher, author, and entrepreneur in Ontario, Canada. She co-authored the Love Math Journal and wrote the children’s book, The Little Things: Finding Gratitude in Life’s Simple Moments. As a new business owner of The Fulfilled Classroom, Nicole uses her talents to help teachers live better lives. Her focus is on living with gratitude, setting intentions, and finding fulfillment in and out of the classroom. Show Highlights: Get to know Nicole, a lifelong teacher from the kindergarten to college level What is gratitude, and why

As the school year continues in full swing with in-person learning, inclusion has never been a more important topic. Today’s conversation takes a deep dive into inclusion through the eyes of a new documentary film. Join us! Hilda and Olivier are filmmakers and parents of their son, Emilio. Through their documentary, Forget Me Not, they share the personal impact of NYC’s segregated education system as they fight for Emilio’s right to be educated alongside his peers. The film gives a rare look at what inclusive education can look like and how it can lead to a more inclusive society where every child can reach their full potential. The film lives up to its powerful title as it shines the spotlight on the kids who are often forgotten and underrepresented in their education. Show Highlights: How Hilda’s background in special education became more meaningful when their son was born with Down Syndrome, an event that changed the course of their family in every way How Olivier knew nothing about special education

We’re in it now: another school year taking us into the great unknown. Parents, students, and educators are all living with a “wait and see” approach as we live in a state of constant adaptability in yet another pandemic school year. Join us to hear practical tips and advice from today’s guest! Chris Banks is CEO and president of the Autism Society of America. He came to the society in 2020 from a comprehensive background in human services and healthcare, and he is a proven transformational leader committed to diversity and cultural growth. We are discussing what his organization does, along with the wealth of resources provided for parents, educators, and students. Show Highlights: Chris’ background and how his role merges his prior skills, talents, and interests Chris’ message about how businesses can help change the corporate culture and shift their perspective by hiring autistic employees Why a focus on diversity and inclusion in education serves the best interests of the children AND the best interes

We know the transition into motherhood is not always easy. Today’s guest works to ease the transition and help prevent burnout for moms as she brings sanity, solutions, and overall mental health into the chaotic world of motherhood. Join us to learn more! Danielle Bettmann is an early childhood development expert, parenting coach, teacher, and mom of two girls. She helps families with strong-willed tiny humans find patience, peace, and partnership. Her mission is to come alongside parents to provide mindsets and strategies that make you feel proud of how you parent. She hosts the podcast Failing Motherhood and provides many resources for parents through her website. Show Highlights: Why Danielle was inspired to focus her work on helping moms and families How she identified the early childhood years as “ground zero” for families Why she started Wholeheartedly, her one-on-one coaching business for parents of young children Why parents come to Danielle for help when they feel inadequate in the parenting arena,

Today’s guest is Diana Pastora Carson, a self-described sibling advocate and a big fan of her brother, Joaquin, who spent 15 years of his life in an institution. Joaquin’s family fought for three years to bring him home, and he fully supports and endorses the way Diana shares their family story.  Diana has been an elementary educator for over 30 years in both general and special education. A lecturer for a Disability and Society course through San Diego State University, Diana also teaches other disability and inclusion courses through SDSU and a local community college. She’s a public speaker, inclusion visionary, and community activist who has also done a TEDtalk. With two terms on the board of Disability Rights California, she currently serves on the board of directors for Disability Voices United. Last year, she helped produce a series for Ability magazine in which she interviewed 50 experts and activists in the field of disability. Diana is the author of https://amzn.to/3nkh2vh (Beyond Awareness: Br

Today’s episode is the final part of our series to kick off the new school year. Parents, students, and educators were assuming that things would be back to normal by the beginning of the 2021 school year, but we are still in a state of uncertainty. Since COVID-19 has impacted schools in many ways during the past two school years, we have seen many adjustments to learning. CA Assembly Bill 130 addresses the independent study (IS) options, not to be confused with virtual learning. We’ll dive into the bill’s provisions and what it means for school districts and your students. Join us! Show Highlights: Independent study options have existed in many variations at different schools; IS varies from virtual learning in that students are required to do a lot of work on their own without teacher instruction. IS is a common element for students with IEPs and students in special situations that require them to leave school early, arrive late, or do coursework away from school. What’s new about IS in AB 130? School dis

Today’s episode is part two of our three-part series to kick off the new school year. Parents, students, and educators were assuming that things would be back to normal by the beginning of the 2021 school year, but we are still in a state of uncertainty. California legislators have implemented specific steps to help students, even reaching into last school year.  We are taking a closer look at Assembly Bill 104, which was passed in CA in July. We’ll dive into the provisions of the bill and what it means for your students. Join us! Show Highlights: AB 104 was passed in July and included a very quick deadline of August 15 for parents; two major components make up the bill: The pass/no pass option allows 2020-2021 students to apply for a letter grade to be changed to “pass/no pass.” The retention option allows parents to request retention in a consultation if a K-11th grade student had a D, F, or no pass grade in at least half of their course work. Another part of the bill allows for a 5th year for cou

Today’s episode is the first in a three-part series covering guidelines for going back to school for in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year. It’s hard to believe that we are here on the cusp of beginning another school year, and as with the last two school years, COVID-19 has changed everything for students, educators, and parents. Join us for this three-part guide to everything you need to know and the momentum you need to kick off a new school year. We are discussing COVID-19 guidelines, safety protocols, and the recent teacher vaccine mandate in California. Show Highlights: The Safe Schools for All Hub through the http://www.cde.ca.gov (www.cde.ca.gov) website is THE place to go for updates and guidelines from the CA Department of Public Health. The main components of the guidelines for schools include: recommended vaccines for everyone over age 12 and a mask mandate for all to allow less social distancing within school activities Mask mandates (with medical exemptions) are identified as part

It’s the end of the school year, and this will be our last episode before we break for the summer. What a year it’s been! Stick with us as we take a look back on this unusual year and its different hybrid models, issues to look out for and to make your teams aware of, and what the 2021-2022 school year may hold.  We appreciate your support and remember, summer break would be a great time to listen to any of our past episodes that you may have missed! Show Highlights: When kids returned to school back in August/September, it was still all distance learning. There was a lot of repetition of content from the previous school year in this past school year If you have a health care plan within your IEP, you may need to get updated doctor's orders. Communicate with your team! How schools will be addressing regression. Thoughts on enrichment programs. Although it’s been a hard year for everyone, our focus should be on the child that is right in front of us. The trap of lowered expectations. September 2021

Carlia Oldfather, Director of Operations from Stand Up for Kids in Orange County, is our guest today! Stand Up for Kids is a national, non-profit organization that serves youth between the ages of 12-24 that are experiencing homelessness. There are twenty chapters throughout the nation. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at this wonderful organization that is about FAR more than just getting kids off the street. You’ll be glad you did! Show Highlights: In Orange County alone, there are an estimated 31,000 homeless and at-risk youth. Carlia provides additional statistics from the school districts regarding homeless youth. A holistic approach is used when addressing the multiple needs of this at-risk population. Stand Up for Kids is big on partnering with members of the community. Carlia offers different ways for people to get involved in the programs. How COVID impacted their programs. 90% of their high school seniors graduate and go on to college or full-time employment. Stand Up for Kids has four pilla

If you dread hearing, “What’s for dinner tonight?”, then you’re going to LOVE today’s guest. If, like most of us, you live a busy life, have picky eaters or food allergies in your family, or just need a dash of inspiration and a serving of encouragement for answering that burning question, keep listening!  Marie Fiebach is the founder of “Feed Your Family Tonight”. She is an author, podcaster, coach, and, in her own words, a “Weeknight Dinner Expert”. Marie has plenty of tips and strategies to share with us today! Show Highlights: Marie explains what motivated her to start “Feed Your Family Tonight”. Having dinner together each night as a family builds connection and stability with your children. The pandemic gave those working from home an opportunity to look at dinner differently. Marie addresses balancing different dietary needs within a family. Marie teaches others how to plan their meals around the kind of day that they’re having. “What do I need to do today, in order to be successful later in

We’re so thrilled to have Caroline Hines as our guest today. Caroline is a Social-Emotional School Counselor at a public charter school here in California, and she shares with us the advantages that having a dedicated counselor onsite provides, how kindness is taught through each grade level, plus she offers tips on how you can foster more kindness right in your own home. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did! Show Highlights: Caroline explains her role as a Social-Emotional School Counselor. Having a dedicated Social Emotional Counselor at a school site gives the school an advantage as far as being able to build social-emotional learning. Kindness is the platform used to establish the school’s culture. Caroline shares the philosophy of her “Kind Kids Club”. Caroline breaks down the kindness-learning focus of each grade level. How COVID has affected the transition from distance learning, to hybrid, to in-person learning. What a kindness challenge looks like. Tips for parents to help get kind

Our guest today describes herself as a “veteran educator, survivor of burnout, and a self-care advocate.” Kayland Lamar coaches educators on self-care practices and boundary-setting in the classroom. If a healthy work-life balance and proactive personal wellness habits seem out of reach for you, then you will definitely want to listen to the tips that Kayland has to share with us, for the classroom and beyond. Kayland Lamar is a high school science teacher who loves her job, loves her students, and teaches at the same high school from which she graduated. Show Highlights: Kayland relates her personal story of burnout that she experienced during her first official teaching job. How setting boundaries can help us find the proper work-life balance. Kayland describes the relationship she has with her students. Being vulnerable with her students lets them know that she has a life outside of the classroom, too. Developing routines with her students helps to set them at ease and know what to expect each day. “

When kids experience challenges meeting certain expectations, that can result in their frustration, which can often lead to concerning behaviors if they’re not equipped with the necessary skills to adapt. Our guest today trains parents, educators, and clinicians in an evidence-based treatment called the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model.  Be sure to tune in to this intriguing and insightful conversation and learn about all the benefits that CPS has to offer! Ross W. Greene, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who lives in Freeport, Maine. He is the New York Times bestselling author of the influential books https://amzn.to/3vhK6Ex (The Explosive Child), https://amzn.to/3finbDA (Lost at School), https://amzn.to/2TfGYuV (Lost and Found), and https://amzn.to/3hUFIaL (Raising Human Beings). He is the founding director of the non-profit, Lives in the Balance, which provides a vast array of free resources on the CPS model that is described in his books. Show Highlights: Dr. Greene’s non-pr

We’re thrilled to bring you another great interview today! Melanie Oates is a motivational speaker, philanthropist, and advocate for special needs families, including her own. Stay tuned to hear more about her amazing nonprofit, Here For A Reason, Inc., and the work she does as an advocate, the intensive research she did on behalf of her children, and the plethora of knowledge and resources she is now able to share with families who are looking to be their own best advocate for not only their children but for themselves, as well. Show Highlights: Melanie provides an overview of how her nonprofit came to be. Financial hardships for a child’s medical equipment and care happen to families even when they have seemingly great insurance coverage. Melanie addresses how she had to strategize to get her daughter the nursing care she needed. If you’d like to apply for assistance, or if you would like to make a donation, please go to http://www.hereforareason.org/ (Here For A Reason). Motivational speaking is Melani

It’s been a little more than a year since the start of this pandemic, so we thought we’d take a look back at California-specific senate bills to revisit how we saw them played out. We’ll also be discussing how you can be preparing for the summer and the upcoming school year. We hope you join us! Show Highlights: California Senate Bills: an overview of the highs and lows. It’s important to note that state senate bills do not trump federal law’s IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Taking a look at IEPs. How the courts see violations. The problems with aide support. Thoughts on individual educational evaluations during this time. Dealing with compensatory education. As the parent, you are the holder of the data and the most important component of the IEP team. Encouraging tips for feeling empowered to speak up during this upcoming school year. Thank you for listening! Links/Resources: Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast p