SPEDTalk

In this episode of SPEDTalk, listen in as the conversation goes from parental love to educational impact as the amazing mom of two sons with autism describes her journey to becoming a teacher who sees the potential in all of her students. The high expectations and unconditional love she has for her own two sons is also experienced by each and every one of her students. It is often said, "there's n...

Guess whos back...our buddies at the The Burleson School for Innovation and Education have been busy since we last spoke. The Magic Factory is known for setting the pace when it comes to developing student employability skills and their strategic partnership with Texas A&M University San Antonio (TAMUSA) will expand their impact exponentially. When pam and I first met with Joe Hinojosa and Sar...

In this episode, the SPEDTalk crew are blown away by the big ideas, bold actions, and inclusive efforts of Kami Dodds (Brady ISD Unified Club sponsor and Special Olympics Coach). Kami's relentless drive to create inclusive opportunities for her students exemplifies how one person's vision can make the impossible possible. Kami Dodds is a leader among leaders and is growing the next generation of i...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John team up with Sara Jeter (ESC Region 8), Even Heckmann (ESC Region 10), and Jennifer De Leon (ESC Region 17); making SPEDTalk an SPED Liaison Collaborative between five RESCs in Texas. Elevating a positive conversation about special education has always been the focus, and with SPEDTalk becoming a Party of Five, season three will be our best one yet. Keep t...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John are joined by Cody Martin (ESC 14) and Jeni Janek (ESC 12) to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and the importance of self-care and mental health awareness.  As students and teachers return to classrooms and campuses for the start of the 20/21 School Year, effective contingency plans focus on academic, social, and emotional considerations for all members...

Did you know that Dyslexia is constitutional meaning it is organic in nature in that a person is born with a dyslexic brain as opposed to being the result of injury and or trauma? In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John learn all about Dyslexia in Texas from Dr. Dyslexia herself Dr. Melanie Royal (ESC Region 10 Dyslexia Statewide) and her TEA counterpart Michelle Reeves. Tune in to this episode...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John are joined by Kara Zwolinski (ESC Region 4) and Dawn Vanderhule (TEA) to discuss the Child Find, Evaluation, and ARD Supports Statewide Leadership Network also referred to as Network One. Child Find is legally required, and is an important first step to finding children with disabilities and getting them the support and services they require to be successf...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John are joined by Darcy Schiller, Robin Reimund, and Blaine Campbell (ESC Region 13) to discuss the Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism Training Network (TSLAT).  TSLAT works in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide Training, support, and resources for educators serving students with autism. With over 80 courses in 7 different c...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John are joined by Cara Wyly (ESC Region 20) and Laura Wilk (TEA) to discuss the Inclusion in Texas Statewide Leadership Network. The Inclusion in Texas Network works in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to build a statewide culture of high expectations for students with disabilities and significantly improve academic and functional outcomes f...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John regroup with Joe Hinojosa and Jennifer Warren to celebrate the amazing work of their teachers and staff while also learning about the synergy created through their serendipitous encounter in an unreleased episode of SPEDTalk. Always searching for the silver lining lessons and moments, Pam and I were so excited to learn of the Re-Entry Plan for students and...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John are joined by Amy Strauch, ESC Region 20 Special Education Coordinator, to discuss the Special Education Fiscal Support Grant Funding available to Texas LEAs. Listen in to learn about Round 1 Updates, Round 2 Application Timelines, and frequently asked questions related to use of funds/implications on MOE.     https://www.spedfiscalsupport.o...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John join the Texas Transition Conference Student Ambassadors and their amazingly awesome job coaches to get feedback on their experience at the conference this year.  Student input and perspective offers insight into the learner experience and is of fundamental importance in the development of effective special education programs and services. Eighteen an...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, John mixes it up with Dr. Coral Wilkens and Harvey Hughes at TCASE GREAT IDEAS 2020. Don't worry Pam and Amy are still SPEDTalking. They just had bigger fish to fry.  Listen in as Harvey Hughes (Creator of SEAS Web and Hero) shares his most recent brainchild (Smart Data Dashboard). It's always a blast Chilling with Coral and Hanging with Harvey. So sit back and gr...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, PAM, John, and Amy SPEDTalk it up with the Mr. Jose Hinojosa (aka Joe), Director of Special Education at The Burleson Center for Innovation and Education in Edgewood ISD. After spending the morning getting to know the amazing staff and students of "The Magic Factory," a nickname assigned to Burleson by local media and the community for the amazing opportunities and out...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam, John, and Amy come face to face with excellence in practice while dropping in to visit with the Frisco ISD Special Education Leadership Team. This Dream Team of Four consists of Traci Cartas (Executive Director), and her three fabulous Directors, Garrett Jackson, Christine Davis, and Dr. Coral Wilkens. Their efforts to develop organizational capacity at all levels...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John are joined by two of our favorite folks. We are excited to sit down with Jam Page, Director of SPED at ESC Region 15 and Tammy Utter, Field Service Agent (and former ESC SPED Liaison Extraordinaire) also from ESC Region 15 to learn all about the new Small and Rural Schools Network (SRSN). The SRSN includes representatives from each of the 20 Regional Educa...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John discuss what it means to be an effective SPED Administrator, Shifting from Compliance to Outcomes, and the Importance of Student Self-Determination with the Director of Special Education at Connally ISD (Laurie Tresl) and the Director of Special  Populations at China Spring ISD (Lisa Howard.) The common denominator between us being that we intentional...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam, John, and Amy head on out to Aggie Land to learn all about A&Ms Aggie ACHIEVE Program from a couple of Aggie Students, Lexi and Miguel. Joining them to talk all about this unique to Texas four year college experience are...  Carly B. Gilson, Ph. D. Assistant Professor of Special Education Faculty Director, Aggie ACHIEVE  and  Olivia R....

In Unity there is Power! In this episode of SPEDTalk with Pam & John, get up to speed on a few of the changes occurring within the State Education Agency (TEA) in the Department of Special Education through the efforts of the Review and Support Division. Listen in as Ramonda Olaloye and Jacob Klett, Review & Support Managers, discuss the Differentiated Monitoring System (DMS), Results Driv...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam, John, and Amy connect with Lisa Kirby and Kelly Joseph from ESC Region 20 in San Antonio, Texas. Lisa and Kelly have developed an impressive catalog of online webinars for administrators in addition to a web page on the Region 20 website designed to support campus leaders in their efforts to administer effective special education services. Closing out this ep...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John sit down with fellow Liaison, Evan Heckmann from ESC Region 10 to discuss resources and reflect on the evolution of the special education liaison role in Texas. In his first three videos in a series called " 10 Minutes Til ," Evan covers The Manifestation Determination Meeting , Child Find , and Behavior Situations . Be sure to check these out and share th...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John celebrate the amazing work of The Student-Centered Transitions Network (SCTN).  Listen in as Dr. Vickie Mitchell (Sam Houston State), Susie May (TEA), Kayla Daniel (ESC Region 12), Townsley Tayebianpour (ESC Region 4), and Corinna Cole (Sam Houston State) share their insights into the evolution of how we define Transition in Texas.  SCTN is desig...

In this Live & Interactive Special Edition Episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John sit down with passionate educators from across the state of Texas to discuss the shift from a compliance heavy system to the Results Driven Accountability that has been adopted by the USDE and TEA. Listen in as problems are framed as possibilities and constraints lead to creativity.  Results Driven Accountability...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John sit down with Lorraine Klim, ESC Region 4 Special Education Liaison. Listen as Lorraine shares her passion for improving services for students with autism. Her efforts to create an Exemplar Autism Continuum speaks to a growing need in schools across Texas.    TEACCH Autism <------Training Link @spedtalk2020   <------Twitter Link&n...

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John crash the offices of the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education (TCASE) in Austin, Texas. Joining them around the table are Theresa Parsons (Executive Director), Ginger Meyners (Deputy Director), and Kristin McGuire (Director of Governmental Relations) and of course SPEDTalk Producer, Amy Rogers. Listen in to learn about the vision, mission,...