SPEDTalk

Lori and Evan go to "rose country" to speak with Tyler Chapel Hill's SPED director. They discuss the value of relationships, taking on a new role, and the support an Education Service Center can provide.

The SPEDTalk team is in the El Paso area speaking with a new SPED director from Fabens ISD.

The SPEDTalk team is in McAllen ISD talking 18 + programming. Also in this episode, they get a parent's and a student's perspective.

PSJA episode "Pathways for Independence" The SPEDTalk team goes to the Valley to discuss 18+ programming with Pharr San Juan Alamo ISD. They discuss the "Life House", hear success stories and talk about how someone else might start a new program.

Description: In this episode, we hear a mother’s honest story about how she fought and continues to fight for her daughter to have the best educational and life experience.  We are reminded that the power of community is great and how schools who lead with love for their students unleash their potential while providing the tools that parents need to be strong advocates. Barriers can be broken, eve...

The team talks with Angi Thomas, Consultant Special Education Behavior at Region 14 ESC. The conversation centers around building culture and revisits an earlier episode with Merkel Middle School. Additionally, Angi shares some tips for educators.

The SPEDTalk crew speaks with Garland ISD about its partnership with Project Search.

Team member Molly Savant is not only a certified teacher for Deaf/Hard of Hearing she is also the parent of two Deaf/Hard of Hearing children. The SPEDTalk team talks with Molly about her experiences and struggles as a parent while the interpreter signs in this video episode.

The SPEDTalk crew chats with Merkel Middle School Principal about changing culture, overcoming adversity and a plan to turn the campus around.

In this episode, we dive into the dynamic partnership between Region 16 and Amarillo College, a collaboration reshaping educational opportunities and professional development for aspiring teachers. The episode highlights the innovative initiatives under this participation. Listeners will gain insights about the impact of this alliance on education to aspiring teachers providing a first-hand accoun...

In this episode the SPEDTalk team hears from Pam and John as they discuss the history of their involvement with the podcast and what is up next in each of their lives.

Emily Robinson, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist at the Texas Education Agency, and Twyla Loftin, DHH Project Lead, discuss educating students who are deaf or hard of hearing with the SPEDTalk crew. Emily will be speaking through an interpreter.

In this episode of SPEDTalk, we learn all about the positive impact that project based learning is having on the performance, achievement, and outcomes of students at the UT Tyler University Academy Charter School. UTTUA is a public university Charter School that incorporates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education into daily classroom curriculum and utilizes a hands-on...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, new members of the team are introduced. The current challenges of special education are discussed, along with possible solutions. This episode was recorded live in video format and can be viewed online at Spotify podcasts. 2022 Barbara Jordan Media Awards ⁠ ⁠ 2021 Barbara Jordan Media Awards ⁠ ⁠ www.facebook.com/SPEDTalk2020 ⁠ ⁠ www.instagram.com/spedtalk2020/ ⁠ ⁠ Twit...

We have a special guest in this SPEDTalk episode: Dr. Rodney Watson, the Executive Director of Region 4 Education Service Center, Houston, TX. He talks about his personal and professional journey in special education and how he supports and advocates for students with disabilities. He also shares his insights on the current challenges and opportunities in education and his vision for the future of...

In this combination episode of SPEDTalk, we learn about how Elizabeth Chapman and Alli Fletcher co-teach 6th-grade math at Lake Dallas Middle School, and we interview Cassie White, a special education teacher in Birdville ISD, who shares her experience and insights on implementing student-led IEP meetings in her district.  2022 Barbara Jordan Media Awards ⁠ ⁠ 2021 Barbara Jordan Media Awards ⁠ ⁠ w...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Elizabeth Chapman and Alli Fletcher co-teach 6th-grade math at Lake Dallas Middle School. They are creating a learning environment that benefits all students. The student's knowledge and skills dictate the level of support provided to students and not the label. Students receiving special education services are finding success. The co-teachers regularly collaborate...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, we interview Cassie White, a special education teacher in Birdville ISD, who shares her experience and insights on implementing student-led IEP meetings in her district. She explains how student-led IEP meetings empower students with disabilities to take charge of their learning goals and outcomes and how they foster collaboration and communication among students, teac...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, we learn from two SPED Administrators in the field how to leverage the Self-Assessment process to achieve effective implementation and lasting impact through a programmatic continuous improvement process. https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/review-and-support/self-assessment 2022 Barbara Jordan Media Awards ⁠ ⁠ 2021 Barbara Jordan Media Awards ⁠...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, we learn all about the amazing work of Camp Able of Buffalo Gap, who's mission is to cultivate healthy, independent living for people with special needs through skills based training and equine therapy, with a special focus on using horses that have been given sanctuary from difficult circumstances. Camp Able’s vision is that self-sufficiency is a reasonable and ac...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, we learn all about the Project Updates to the Legal Framework on ESC Region 18 website. The purpose of the project is to provide and maintain an updated web-based platform to assist stakeholders such as local educational agencies (LEAs), advocates, and parents in learning about state and federal laws and regulations by providing rich resources regarding obligation...

In this special extended episode of SPEDTalk, we are joined by career educator, Lori Ray to hear about her connection to an exceptional young man with autism who she was blessed to work with throughout his public school journey named Ty Vinson. Then, you will hear Ty's story in his own words as he describes what it was like growing up with autism.  2022 Barbara Jordan Media Awards 2021 Barbar...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, we learn how Jasper ISD is reversing the trend of significant disproportionality by giving kids hope and help. From Capturing Kid's Hearts to Equine Therapy and much more, this group of educators is making a significant impact on their students and community. 2022 Barbara Jordan Media Awards 2021 Barbara Jordan Media Awards www.facebook.com/SPEDTalk2020 www.instag...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, we learn all about the amazing Transition Related Opportunities coming our of ESC Region 19. Listen in to this conversation to hear all about how the Elevate and Excelerate Program provides opportunities for students with disabilities to work to learn and learn to work.  Elevate and Excelerate: ESC Region 19 2022 Barbara Jordan Media Awards 2021 Barbara Jorda...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, we circle back to our friends at Corsicana ISD to hear about the amazing new directions the Penguin Project has gone since we first visited with them last school year when they were performing Annie. Named for the exceptional characteristics of penguins, the Corsicana ISD Penguin Project is a unique theatre production in which all roles are filled by students with...