About the Guest(s):

Jamie Sowers: Jaime is a dedicated special education director focused on teacher retention and hiring. As Clinical Advisory Team Director at BlazerWorks, he aids school districts in recruitment and retention, emphasizing post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities. With 20 years of experience, Jaime has been a teacher, coordinator, and principal. He holds a Doctor of Education from Wilmington University and a Master of Education from Mansfield University. Jaime is active in professional organizations and serves on two volunteer school boards.

Jessica Bowman: Jessica is the co-Principal Investigator of the TIES Center and a researcher with the National Center on Educational Outcomes. She enhances the inclusion of students with significant cognitive disabilities in general education by creating resources and providing technical assistance. Starting as a teacher, she has extensive experience in professional development at the state level. Her research focuses on inclusion in mathematics for these students. Dr. Bowman holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Utah.

Episode Summary:

In this enlightening episode of Think Inclusive, hosted by Tim Villegas, we dive deeply into the conversation about the cost and logistics of inclusive education. Jamie Sowers from BlazerWorks joins Tim to debunk myths about the funding required for inclusive practices and to discuss the efficient utilization of school resources. Next, Tim is joined by Jessica Bowman from the University of Minnesota to break down her recent research on separate school placements for students with extensive support needs. This dialogue sheds light on how geographical locale and charter school enrollment influence educational outcomes.

Throughout the episode, key topics revolve around optimizing educational resources and innovative solutions to staffing challenges. Jamie Sowers emphasizes that while special education funding has historically fallen short, inclusive education doesn't inherently require more resources; rather, it calls for smarter use of available funds and staff. The discussion with Jessica Bowman highlights her research findings that suggest alarming discrepancies in separate school placements across different states and regions, raising questions about equitable access to education for all students. Their shared insights advocate for a continuous commitment to developing inclusive environments where all students can thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• Special education funding remains inadequate, but inclusion doesn't necessarily cost more; it demands effective resource utilization.
• Tools like shared online documents can optimize collaborative planning among educators and improve inclusivity without additional financial strain.
• Disparities in separate school placements exist across the U.S., notably in the Northeast, suggesting a need for closer scrutiny and policy adjustments.
• The messy nature of current data on separate school placements indicates a need for standardized categorization and reporting practices.

Resources:

BlazerWorks: https://blazerworks.com/

TIES Center: https://tiescenter.org/.

Inclusion Stories: https://pod.link/1633672526

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@think_inclusive

IXL: https://ixl.com/inclusive

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About the Guest(s):

Brittni Sammons is a Professional Learning Coordinator with the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE), bringing a wealth of experience from her past roles as a special educator, assistant principal, and inclusive education facilitator. Before joining MCIE, she served the Calvert County Public Schools, where she played a pivotal role in partnership with MCIE to further inclusive practices. Later, she became a supervisor of instructional performance, focusing on culturally responsive instruction. Brittany’s dedication is driven by a belief in every student's need to develop a sense of belonging within inclusive educational communities.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of Think Inclusive, Tim Villegas, joined by his colleague Brittni Sammons, delves into one of the most frequently asked questions in inclusive education: scheduling. The podcast promises a practical exploration of how inclusive education can function effectively within the framework of school scheduling, emphasizing the concept of "natural proportions."

The conversation unravels common misconceptions about inclusion, such as the over-reliance on "co-taught" classrooms. Brittni and Tim advocate for spreading resources evenly across classrooms, ensuring students with disabilities are included naturally within the school community. They highlight the importance of understanding students’ strengths, services, and the supports needed, discussing strategies like "targeted" co-teaching which allow for dynamic support based on evolving needs. This detailed exploration aims to dispel myths and demonstrate a more efficient, community-integrated model for special education.

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/Xd3227PaT2hlVORApnZR56ghv5E?utm_source=copy_url

Key Takeaways:

• The principle of "natural proportions" ensures students with disabilities are naturally included in classrooms based on the proportion of students with disabilities in the general population.
• Effective inclusive education requires strategic and collaborative planning among general and special educators to meet individual student needs.
• Different models like "co-targeted" and "consultative" relationships offer flexible, collaborative ways to deliver special education services without relying solely on co-taught classrooms.
• Educators can adapt the inclusion model through phases—grouping students, assigning support roles, and building master schedules tailored to the school’s needs.
• Reflective practices and adaptive measures can lead to more significant educational advances and a stronger sense of community belonging for students.

Resources:

MCIE: https://mcie.org/resources/

Lou Brown on Natural Proportions: https://youtu.be/Cq5TiGbWAK0?si=JPzYoY5us1SXJTzB

Thank you to our sponsor, IXL. Learn more: https://ixl.com/inclusive

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About the Guest(s):

Aaron Lanou (he/him) is an educational consultant supporting schools and organizations to reach all kids with inclusive, strengths-based practices. Through the lens of Universal Design for Learning, Aaron coaches teachers and others to teach and support autistic students and all kids with a variety of academic, executive functioning, and social support needs. A member of Carol Gray’s Team Social Stories, Aaron also provides Social Stories workshops and collaborates with Carol and the team to continually update and refine the Social Stories philosophy and approach. Aaron was previously a special education teacher in the New York City Public Schools and Executive Director of the Nest Program at NYU, helping to lead the nation’s largest inclusion program for autistic students.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas sits down with inclusive education consultant Aaron Lanou from New York. They dive deep into the current landscape of inclusive education and the challenges faced by educators striving for more inclusive practices in schools. Aaron shares his insights on the necessary methods, mindsets, and structures that need to be in place to truly integrate inclusive practices in educational settings. With over 20 years in the field, his perspective offers a blend of practical advice and philosophical reflections on the state of education.

Tim and Aaron also tackle some of the misconceptions surrounding inclusion, such as the belief that it's solely about placing students with disabilities into general education classrooms. They advocate for a more nuanced approach that emphasizes providing the necessary supports to allow every student to succeed. Celebrating the success stories and dissecting the persistent barriers, they urge educators to remain steadfast in their commitment to inclusive education, drawing on resources, supports, and community to fuel the journey towards more inclusive practices. This episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable strategies for educators and advocates at every level.

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/cMJupjKF1K5R5_Xv6F8M4SX8SBg

Key Takeaways:

• Inclusive Education is Not Just Physical Inclusion: It requires supporting diverse needs with appropriate resources and training.
• Mindset Matters: Mindset, method, and structure are the three pillars of successful inclusive education—known as "The M&Ms."
• Barriers for Teachers Exist: Educators face obstacles in mindset shifts, lack of resources, and structural constraints.
• Resourcefulness is Key: Teachers are encouraged to find creative solutions in advocacy and classroom practice.
• Interdependence and Collaboration: Seeking supportive networks and resources is crucial for educators working in less inclusive environment

Resources:

Aaron Lanou: https://www.aaronlanou.com/

Papi Por Que: https://papi-porque.com/

Thank you to our sponsor, IXL! Learn more:

MCIE: https://www.mcie.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.