Inclusive Education Project (IEP) Podcast

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 classroo...

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 intriguin...

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...

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 tha...

We’re so thrilled to have Dr. Whitney Casares (“Dr. Whitney”), creator of the popular “The Modern Mommy Doc” website with us for today’s interview! Join us as we dive into the topics around new parenthood and self-care, and discuss her newest book, The Working Mom Blueprint , which will be released May 11, 2021. Whitney Casares, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P. is a pediatrician and a mom to two young girls...

We can’t wait to share our wonderful conversation with you today! Our guest is Renee Pena Lopez, an Early Childhood Learning Specialist, a Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT), and the host of “The Magic of Littles” podcast! Join us as we talk about advocacy, early intervention, the importance of play, and making sure each child receives what they need. Show Highlights: Renee shares her intr...

In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, we’re honored to speak with Nicole Ballingoff. Nicole is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the Regional Director at Kyo, formerly known as Gateway Learning Group. Kyo has undergone recent rebranding and other exciting changes and continues to grow across the nation. Kyo’s focus is autism therapy and achieving results that matter to each child’...

We’re so happy to have Kara Ryska with us today! Kara is local to SoCal and has her own podcast that we think you will find very helpful. In this episode, Kara shares how her journey propelled her to become a life coach to specifically help other special needs moms. We’re sure you’ll find encouragement and inspiration as you listen! Show Highlights: Kara relates the story behind her becoming a spe...

If you’ve never heard of the Inclusive Digital Expression and Literacy (IDEAL) program out of Georgia State University, you’re in for a treat! IDEAL is an inclusive, post-secondary education program with a unique focus on creative and digital media.  We are so excited to bring you this conversation with Cara Davis, who serves as the Academic Access Coordinator for the IDEAL Program, and other...

Among many other roles and accomplishments, our guest today, Robin Williams Evans, is a wife, a mother to a child with severe disabilities, an ordained minister, a coach to families with special-needs children, and author of the Washington Post best-seller, Living a Happy Life with a Special-Needs Child: A Parent’s Perspective .  As Robin explains, for the first two years after the birth of her so...

We’re excited to get to speak with Rachel Lissy, an educational consultant for the podcast series, “ Nice White Parents ”! Listen in to hear the inside scoop on how the podcast came about, the role she played in it, and what her own research and experience reveal about the intersection of integration and the discipline gap. Show Highlights: Rachel details her background and how she became interest...

We’re so pleased to talk today with Lee Lombardo from the YMCA of Orange County. She has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1996 and has been in the fields of social services and mental health since the mid-80s. Lee has always had a heart to serve vulnerable populations in the community. The programs that Lee currently oversees are two that focus on those with developmental disabilities....

We are so very pleased to share this enlightening conversation we had with Andrew Edwards, the author of three books, including the memoir,  I've Got a Stat For You: My Life With Autism . Listen in as Andrew opens up with us about his life with autism, what inspires him, what he does to maintain his positive outlook, and the legacies of determination and strength that his beloved mother left behin...