Tag Archives: teachers

Listen to me talk about Inclusive IEPs on the Special Needs Talk Radio at 9 am EST, on November 4th!

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Nicole Eredics' blog, The Inclusive Class

I am happy to announce that I will be speaking about inclusive IEPs on November 4th, at 9 am EST with Nicole Eredics from The Inclusive Class, on Special Needs Talk Radio. More details as to how you can tune in that day, or listen to the show after the recording will be available soon on the Special Needs Talk Radio website, and on my events page, so check back for that information.

After connecting with Nicole, a blogger, independent consultant, and seasoned general education teacher in inclusive classes, she has asked me to be on her show to talk about the many ways IEPs can be written to foster and support inclusive education. This is an exciting new radio show, to spread the word, share our practice, and continue the good work and energy around creating inclusive places for students with disabilities. She has many distinguished professionals in the field lined up to discuss an array of important topics, so please check out the schedule and see if there is something that you might find of interest or in support of the work you are doing to create inclusive schools. Continue reading →

Commencement Night Reflections

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My family after commencement ceremony

Despite my paperwork and degree being completed in the fall of this past year, there was only one commencement ceremony for the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota this spring. So, when I decided to walk in commencement last week, my thoughts were, as I already had my degrees framed and placed on the wall weeks ago – that I would do it only so my three young boys could see the end result of my late hours and hard work all the while raising them to be the young men that they are. It has all been so abstract for them.

I started my Masters program when I was pregnant with my first son; he is now 12 years old. I received my Masters in education around the time that I had my third son, and went on to pursue my doctorate. The culmination of all of this work happened in a real way last week, as I sat there with my colleagues, professors and friends waiting for my Ed.S. to be conferred. I imagined the night as something that would be exciting for the boys to see, as well as important for them to realize. A woman, not just any woman, but their mother, going through all of the pomp and circumstance in full regalia! I was so very right in thinking that it would be a good thing for them to be a part of – they are still congratulating me as I tuck them in for bed at night, and wearing my mortar board around the house during the day, all the while talking about what they want to do when they grow up. Continue reading →

Towards a Working IEP: Part One – Balancing the Playing Field

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A great deal of my consulting work has come about through parents of kids with disabilities inviting me to be a part of their son or daughter’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings. IEPs are the central paperwork portion of the special education services that students receive in schools, and are filled with loads of information that is used throughout a school year to meet the needs of kids with disabilities.

It has been my experience that IEPs can be beautifully written and executed. I have also experienced IEPs that are basically useless paperwork that follows a child through their school years without much meaning. The intent is for it to be the former, but that is, unfortunately in many cases, not how they are written or used. Continue reading →