Think Inclusive

About The Guest(s):Dr. Kristin Burnette is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at ECU. She has 17 years of experience working with students with extensive support needs and 11 years of classroom experience. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of NC Greensboro, focusing on inclusive education for students with extensive support needs. During her doctoral program, she was a graduate assistant for the TIES Center, the OSEP national technical assistance center focused on inclusive education and systemic change.Christine Bechtel is the Supervisor of Special Education for Carroll County Public Schools and has been in the field of Special Education for 28 years. Mrs. Bechtel is dedicated to equity particularly for students with disabilities, earning a Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Equity and Excellence in Education from McDaniel College in 2019. Among many other roles within CCPS, Mrs. Bechtel currently serves as the chair of CCPS’s District Inclusion Team.Summary: Kristin and Christine discussed Carroll County's journey toward inclusive education. They started with targeted technical assistance from the National TIES Center and gradually expanded inclusive practices to multiple schools. Their commitment to collaboration and a mindset shift has led to positive outcomes for both students with disabilities and their non-disabled peers.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/OfppakyION57qFeebUXEoQ1Cw9AThank you to Brookes Publishing for sponsoring this episode! Book Giveaway: https://bit.ly/brookes-giveaway-0124Key Takeaways:Inclusive education requires multiple layers of leadership at the building, district, and state levels.The district's focus on content areas like science and social studies has led to meaningful inclusion and improved outcomes.Reflection and action planning are essential for sustainable systems change in education.The district has positively impacted school culture and student engagement through inclusive practices.Non-disabled peers have benefited from inclusive education, becoming role models and improving their behavior.TIES Roadmap: https://bit.ly/TIES-RISEMCIE: Website: https://www.mcie.org/Email List: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Email-ListFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkInclusive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/think_inclusive/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@think_inclusiveYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkinclusiveUsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-education/Support: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Donate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About The Guest(s): Jonathan Cormur is a talented voice actor and the host of the Dorktales Storytime podcast. He has a great passion for storytelling and presents classic fairytales in a unique and geekish way. Jonathan also contributes to the Hidden Heroes of History series, which is part of the Dorktales Storytime feed. Through this series, he highlights important historical figures who are often overlooked.Summary: Jonathan Cormur discusses his work on the Dorktales Storytime podcast, adding a geeky twist to classic fairytales. He emphasizes the importance of authentic representation of disabilities in audio and shares his experiences in voice acting and theater. Jonathan reflects on his journey with autism and the impact of inclusive education and shares his aspirations for his career and the positive message of his podcast.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/XrZ2JnVA7ZmG0Ah7QYXNHvv87oEKey Takeaways:Dork Tales Story Time podcast puts a geekish twist on classic fairytales, promoting positive role models and embracing uniqueness.Authentic representation of disabilities in audio is important, and more opportunities should be given to neurodivergent individuals.Inclusive education and supportive teachers can make a significant difference in the lives of neurodivergent students.Jonathan's dreams for his career include financial viability for the podcast and more opportunities for positive role modeling.Playing Dungeons & Dragons has become a fun and engaging hobby for Jonathan, enhancing his creativity and enjoyment.Jonathan Cormur: https://jonincharacter.com/Dorktales Storytime: https://pod.link/dorktales-storytimeMCIE: Website: https://www.mcie.org/Email List: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Email-ListFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkInclusive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/think_inclusive/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@think_inclusiveYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkinclusiveUsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-education/Support: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Donate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About The Guest(s): Arthur Aston is a podcaster and the host of the Inclusion Think Tank podcast for the New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education (NJCIE). He was born with spina bifida, a condition that affects his mobility, and has dedicated his life to changing the way people see and interact with individuals with disabilities.Summary: Arthur Aston, host of the Inclusion Think Tank podcast for NJCIE, shares his personal journey of living with spina bifida and how it led him to become an advocate for inclusive education. He discusses the importance of inclusive education and the need for students with and without disabilities to learn together. Arthur also highlights the work of NJCIE in providing professional development and consulting services to promote inclusive education in schools.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/dcqHcjhDxPQq3gOnBUbUznydM0cKey Takeaways:Inclusive education is a fundamental right for every student and allows for learning and growth for all.Accessibility benefits everyone, not just individuals with disabilities.Inclusive education provides an opportunity for students to learn from each other and realize their similarities.Making changes towards inclusive education takes time, patience, and dedication.It is important to include the voices of individuals with disabilities in the conversation about inclusive education.NJCIE Website: https://www.njcie.org/Inclusion Think Tank Podcast: https://www.njcie.org/podcastAll In (Arkansas): https://sites.google.com/view/inclusive-practices/homeMCIE: Website: https://www.mcie.org/Email List: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Email-ListFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkInclusive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/think_inclusive/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/think_inclusiveYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkinclusiveUsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-education/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About The Guest(s): Heather Avis is an author, speaker, and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome. She is the founder of The Lucky Few, a foundation that aims to shift the narrative around Down syndrome and create spaces of belonging for everyone. Heather shares her personal experiences as a mother of three adopted children, two of whom have Down syndrome, and uses storytelling to challenge societal perceptions and promote inclusion.Summary: Heather Avis and Tim Villegas engage in a thought-provoking conversation about intentional inclusion and the power of storytelling in transforming perceptions. They delve into the challenges and progress in creating inclusive spaces for individuals with disabilities, as well as the need to address ableism within the disability community itself. Heather emphasizes the importance of intentional adjustments and thoughtful consideration to foster true inclusion. They also discuss the impact of the fight for inclusion on parents and caregivers, highlighting the need to prioritize the well-being and hearts of disabled individuals. Ultimately, the conversation centers around recognizing the full humanity and worth of individuals with disabilities, irrespective of societal expectations.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/wjkXhhny49k-OJu1BbN1twhWThoKey Takeaways:Inclusion necessitates deliberate adjustments and thoughtful consideration of the impact of decisions.Storytelling is a powerful tool for changing perceptions and creating spaces of belonging.Addressing and dismantling ableism within the disability community is crucial for achieving genuine inclusion.The fight for inclusion can be emotionally taxing for parents and caregivers, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the well-being of disabled individuals.Inclusion should extend beyond societal expectations and encompass the recognition of the full humanity and worth of individuals with disabilities.Win a copy of "Equitable and Inclusive IEPs" by Andrea Ruppar and Jennifer Kurth from our sponsor Brookes Publishing!Enter Here: https://bit.ly/brookes-giveaway-1223Heather Avis:Website: https://www.theluckyfew.co/Everyone Belongs: https://www.theluckyfew.co/collections/everyone-belongsMCIE:Website: https://www.mcie.org/Email List: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Email-ListFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkInclusive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/think_inclusive/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/think_inclusiveYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkinclusiveUsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-education/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About The Guest(s): Lori Miranda is an advocate for inclusive education and the Director of Pre-K Exceptional Student Education (ESE) in Palm Beach County, Florida. She has been instrumental in implementing inclusive practices for young children with disabilities in the county's school district, Head Start programs, and community centers.Summary: Lori Miranda discusses the importance of inclusive placements for students with disabilities in Palm Beach County. She explains that the traditional model of removing students from their natural environments and sending them to separate special education programs was disruptive and limited their opportunities for socialization and learning. To address this issue, Palm Beach County implemented a collaborative approach, partnering with community centers and Head Start programs to provide inclusive education for young learners with disabilities.Miranda highlights the challenges they faced in implementing this model, including concerns about behavior management, funding, and teacher buy-in. However, through extensive training, relationship-building, and a commitment to putting children and families first, they were able to overcome these barriers and create a successful inclusive program.She also discusses the positive impact of inclusive placements on students' transitions to kindergarten. By providing support and services in their natural environments, students are better prepared for the general education setting and have a higher likelihood of continuing in inclusive classrooms.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/2jWLSDDkk-cKV2lPhwr9WbfF1qQKey Takeaways:Inclusive placements allow students with disabilities to remain in their natural environments and receive support and services in community centers and Head Start programs.Building relationships and trust with community partners and teachers is crucial for the success of inclusive programs.Palm Beach County's inclusive model has resulted in 100% of students transitioning to general education kindergarten.Editorial Note: 1. Regarding large waiting lists for evaluation: Recent verification data from Palm Beach County indicate diagnostic teams make every effort to connect with families prior to closing files. This effort takes time and can appear as if families are waiting while diagnostic teams work diligently to make contact and meet with families that can be hard to reach. 2. Regarding there being no cap on class size for FL early childhood special education classrooms: Per Section 1003.03, Florida Statute – Maximum class size (1)  CLASS SIZE MAXIMUMS. – Each year, on or before the October student membership survey, the following class size maximum shall be satisfied: (a) The maximum number of students assigned to each teacher who is teaching core-curricula courses to public school classrooms for prekindergarten through grade 3 may not exceed 18 students. The School District of Palm Beach County has a PreK ESE allocation formula that is below Florida's class size requirements. Comments in this podcast episode reference the district allocation formula.Resources:Partners in Education Video (Palm Beach County School District): https://youtu.be/VEpX6EqCV50Palm Beach County School District: https://www.palmbeachschools.org/domain/456MCIE: https://www.mcie.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About The Guest(s): Brad Cohen is an educator, author, and motivational speaker. He has Tourette Syndrome and has dedicated his career to advocating for individuals with disabilities. Brad has written a book called "Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had," and his story has been made into a movie. He has also worked as a mascot for the Atlanta Braves.Summary: Brad Cohen, an educator with Tourette Syndrome, shares his experiences and insights on working with individuals with disabilities. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and acceptance, dispelling misconceptions about Tourette's, and providing support for students with neurological disorders. Brad also discusses his own journey as an educator and the impact he has made in the lives of others.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/ye6nk1AR0hWIVABR-pqZMwXjDTkKey Takeaways:Misconceptions about Tourette's include viewing it as a behavior problem and assuming individuals with Tourette's are disabled.Educators should educate themselves about Tourette's and communicate with students to understand their needs.Tourette's can be influenced by emotions and stress, leading to increased tics in certain situations.It is crucial for educators to believe in students with Tourette's and provide them with opportunities for success.Families of children with disabilities should educate others, focus on strengths, and promote self-confidence.Brad Cohen: Website: http://www.classperformance.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradcohentourettefoundation/MCIE: Website: https://www.mcie.org/Email List: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Email-ListFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkInclusive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/think_inclusive/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/think_inclusiveYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkinclusiveUsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-education/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About The Guest(s): Valerie Williams is the Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education. She is passionate about early childhood inclusion and ensuring that all children have access to quality education.Summary: Valerie Williams, Director of OSEP, discusses the importance of inclusion in early childhood education. She shares a personal story about finding the right preschool for her son with Down syndrome and highlights the need for a mindset shift among educators and administrators. Valerie emphasizes the importance of providing resources and technical assistance to support inclusive practices. She also discusses the current state of inclusive education in different states and the need for implementation and accountability.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/aHwtuZFhIyncVjkeHBdVS1Yk-ZcKey Takeaways:Inclusion starts early and should continue throughout a child's education.The mindset of educators and administrators plays a significant role in promoting inclusion.There are federal resources available to support inclusive practices, but there is a need for better dissemination and outreach.Implementation and accountability are crucial for ensuring that inclusive practices are effectively implemented in schools.Resources:Office of Special Education Programs Techincal Assistance Network: https://osepideasthatwork.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/OSEP-IDEAs-Menu-508.pdf This episode was produced in collaboration with the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (https://ectacenter.org/) and the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (https://fpg.unc.edu/).MCIE: Website: https://www.mcie.org/Email List: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Email-ListFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkInclusive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/think_inclusive/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/think_inclusiveYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkinclusiveUsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-education/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About The Guest(s): Lori Boll is an inclusive education leader with a personal connection to individuals with disabilities. Her son Braden was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and an intellectual developmental delay, inspiring her to advocate for all children’s education. Lori has taught in international schools for over 25 years and holds two Masters degrees in Reading Education and Special Education. She is the Executive Director of SENIA International and supports others on their professional development journeys. Her expertise and personal connection help her make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Summary: Lori Boll, the Executive Director of SENIA, an international nonprofit organization, discusses the importance of inclusion in education and how SENIA supports educators in creating inclusive learning environments in international schools. SENIA provides resources, conferences, and coursework to educate parents, families, and educators on best practices for inclusion. They also offer a membership program for schools and school districts, as well as regional and local chapters worldwide. SENIA's mission is to advocate for and provide resources for individuals with disabilities, with a focus on promoting inclusion and equity.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/iX5JRQleaRL9s__UsJG-jhy5WJwKey Takeaways:SENIA is an international nonprofit organization that advocates for and provides resources for individuals with disabilities.SENIA's mission is to promote inclusion and equity in education through three pillars: learn, connect, and support.SENIA offers conferences, coursework, and a membership program for schools and school districts to support their inclusion efforts.SENIA is working towards creating an accreditation program for international schools that want to prioritize inclusion.Inclusion benefits all students and helps create a more equitable and diverse learning environment.SENIA:Website: https://www.seniainternational.org/SENIA Virtual Conference (2023): https://www.seniaconference.org/senia-virtual-conference-2023/MCIE: Website: https://www.mcie.org/Email List: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Email-ListFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkInclusive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/think_inclusive/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/think_inclusiveYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkinclusiveUsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-education/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About The Guest(s): Jen Malia is a professor of English and a writer of children's books. She started out publishing literary criticism before transitioning to creative writing. Her interest in neurodivergence and autism led her to write personal essays and reported pieces on the topic. This eventually led to the opportunity to write children's books, including the "Infinity Rainbow Club" series.Summary: Jen Malia, a professor of English and writer of children's books, discusses her transition from academic writing to creative writing. She shares how her autism diagnosis influenced her writing and inspired her to create stories about neurodivergent characters. Jen also talks about the inspiration behind her "Infinity Rainbow Club" series and the importance of portraying neurodivergent kids in everyday situations. She emphasizes the need for acceptance and understanding of neurodivergence and hopes that her books will reach a wide audience, including educators and parents.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/BTHkinTYPaxmxBV_6vl_f50Ng4EKey Takeaways:Jen Malia wanted to write books about neurodivergent characters who go about their everyday lives rather than focusing solely on their neurodivergence.The characters in the "Infinity Rainbow Club" series are inspired by real-life experiences and composite characters.Jen's autism diagnosis later in life changed her view of herself and her parenting approach, emphasizing acceptance and pride in being neurodivergent.The educational experiences of the characters in the series are based on inclusive classrooms with collaboration between general education and special education teachers.Jen hopes her books will be a resource for neurodivergent kids and help promote acceptance and understanding among all students.Jen Malia:Website: https://jenmalia.com/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jenmaliabooksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenmaliabooks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomWithAutism/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmaliabooks/MCIE: Website: https://www.mcie.org/Email List: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Email-ListFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkInclusive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/think_inclusive/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/think_inclusiveYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkinclusiveUsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-education/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About The Guest(s): Tim Harris is a motivational speaker, author, and former restaurant owner. He gained national attention when he opened Tim's Place, a restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, known for its friendly atmosphere and Tim's signature hugs. Tim has Down syndrome and has used his platform to advocate for inclusion and spread joy through his positive outlook on life.Summary: Tim Harris, a motivational speaker and former restaurant owner, shares his experiences and insights on inclusion and living an awesome life. Tim talks about his favorite memories from his restaurant, Tim's Place, where he was known as the "king of hugs." He discusses the importance of giving hugs and how he kept track of the thousands of hugs he gave. Tim also opens up about the decision to close his restaurant and the impact it had on his life. He shares his love for public speaking and the joy he finds in bringing happiness to others. Tim emphasizes the importance of dreaming big and standing up for oneself, and he encourages people with disabilities to embrace their awesomeness and be a light in the world.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/EQqgDnFCvtRnzoHFc7eg8mOILs8Key Takeaways:Tim's favorite memory from Tim's Place was seeing people walk through the front door and feeling the world come in.Tim kept track of the hugs he gave by using a hug clicker and adding them to a hug counter on the wall.Tim's decision to close Tim's Place was sad, but his public speaking career has been fulfilling and exciting.Tim encourages people with disabilities to dream big, be awesome, and have fun.Inclusion means being accepted into the world and bringing light into people's hearts.Tim Harris: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timsbigheartFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/timsbigheart/MCIE: Website: https://www.mcie.org/Email List: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Email-ListFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkInclusive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/think_inclusive/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/think_inclusiveYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkinclusiveUsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-education/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.