STAR NET Regions I&III Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Katie Madigan from the Urbana Early Childhood School about their process for screening, evaluation, and referrals for identifying children with IEPs.   Resource - you are welcome to visit the Urbana Early Childhood School. https://uecs.usd116.org/about/

Welcome to the third and final episode in this three part series on the lesser known senses!  In this episode, Kirsten Amundson and Joanna Pasheluk Schimek join us as we discuss in the proprioceptive system.  We will talk about what it is, what to look for in children, and what strategies can be used to support the development of this sense.  Resources: Chicago Pediatric Therapy and Wellness https...

Welcome to the second episode in this three part series on the lesser known senses!  In this episode,  Kirsten Amundson and Joanna Pasheluk Schimek join us as we discuss in the vestibular system.  We will talk about what it is, what to look for in children, and what strategies can be used to support the development of this sense.  Resources: Kelly Mahler  https://www.kelly-mahler.com/ Chicago Pedi...

Welcome to the first episode in this three part series on the lesser known senses!  In this episode,  Kirsten Amundson and Joanna Pasheluk Schimek join us as we discuss in the  interoception sense.  We will talk about what it is, what to look for in children, and what strategies can be used to support the development of this sense.  Resources: Kelly Mahler  https://www.kelly-mahler.com/ Chicago Pe...

In this podcast, Angie Kendall shares how Hand in Hand, a Community Based Organization in Bettendorf, Iowa grew from a one week summer camp for individuals with disabilities, to offering over 15 programs for individuals with disabilities from infants through adults.  We talk about the impact this program has on the community and the different types of programs that they offer.   If you would like...

In this episode, we learn about the preschool inclusion journey from Melissa McCullough, Principal of the East Moline School District 37, Early Learning Center, Emily Ropars, Inclusion Specialist with Early CHOICES, Pam Reising Rechner, Inclusion Specialist with Early CHOICES, and Ann Kremer, Project Director of Early CHOICES Resources: NAEYC & DEC Inclusion Joint Position Statement http://www...

In this episode, we continue to explore the process of achieving high quality inclusion for preschool children. Please listen as Ann Kremer, Project Director of Early CHOICES and Laurel Mateyka, Principal at PH Miller Elementary School and Plano Early Learning, discuss Plano Early Learning’s Inclusion journey Resources: NAEYC & DEC Inclusion Joint Position Statement http://www.naeyc.org/files/...

Show Notes: In this episode, we learn about Mannheim Early Childhood Centers Inclusion journey as one of Illinois’ 3 Community Inclusion Teams. We’ll hear from Ann Kremer, Project Director of Early CHOICES, Emily Ropars, Inclusion Specialist with Early CHOICES and Shannon Cribaro, Director of Early Childhood Education for District 83 and Principal of Mannheim Early Childhood Center.   Resources: N...

In this episode, we have the opportunity to hear from Kevi Jackson, PreK Programs Coordinator with Springfield School District 186, Julie Schackman, Inclusion Specialist with Early CHOICES, and Ann Kremer, Project Director of Early CHOICES as we learn about Springfield’s inclusion journey as one of Illinois’ 3 Community Inclusion Teams.   Resources: NAEYC & DEC Inclusion Joint Position Stateme...

In this podcast episode, we talk with Jade Johnson from Jade Inclusion about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education and some of the lifelong impacts experiences can have on individuals.  Resources: Jade Inclusion Email: jade.inclusion@gmail.com 

In this episode, we have the opportunity to hear from Christine Coleman, Pre K Coordinator with the Collinsville School District, Pam Reising Rechner, Inclusion Specialist with Early CHOICES, and Ann Kremer, Project Director of Early CHOICES as they share Collinsville’s journey as one of Illinois’ 3 Community Inclusion Teams. Resources: NAEYC & DEC Inclusion Joint Position Statement Informatio...

In this episode, Abbie Loos, a preschool bilingual teacher from Urbana Early Childhood School, discusses supporting multilingual learners in the early childhood classroom.   She shares tips for looking at the whole child and strategies to include families while supporting the child's home language in the classroom environment.  Resources: WIDA Early Language Development Standards Supporting E...

In this episode, you will hear from Megan Vinh, Associate Director of the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center and Ann Kremer, Director of Early CHOICES the Illinois inclusion initiative for birth to 5. Megan and Ann discuss Inclusion and the tools, structures and planning used to support three Illinois communities to build Community Inclusion Teams. Click on the resources below to visit th...

In this last episode of the DAP series, Susan Friedman, Senior Director, Publishing and Content Development with NAEYC and volume editor on the 4th edition shares the driving factors for the 4th edition, key concepts threaded throughout the DAP book, and ways to engage more deeply with DAP.   Resources: DAP Position statement purpose    (image of how the 5 NAEYC foundational documents are connecte...

In this episode, Carol Weisheit, Regional Manager with Birth to Five Illinois and former college instructor shares her thoughts on foundational knowledge and principles for developmentally appropriate guidance techniques. Resources: Dan Siegel Hand Model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFTljLo1bK8   Guidance Matters Column with Dan Gartrell: https://dangartrell.net/guidance-matters-columns/   Bru...

Listen to this episode to hear from Talin Tokat, Inclusion Specialist with Early CHOICES, about how the DAP core consideration of individuality supports her work on inclusion in Illinois. Resources: https://www.eclre.org/  

 In this episode educators, Erean Mei, Margi Bhansali, and Alli Bizon share the value of play-based instruction for all children and recommendations to advocate for and advance equitable play in Kindergarten classrooms in Illinois.  Episode Notes:  Implementing Play-Based Learning Across Illinois Classrooms Brief https://online.fliphtml5.com/mgbmv/esmm/#p=1 Resources: What You Should Look For in Y...

Jodi Knapp, a 38 year early childhood veteran in the field spends time reflecting on her career on her last day before retiring as an Early Childhood Special Education Professional Development Specialist from STAR NET Regions I and III.  Resource links: -Illinois Early Learning Project - https://illinoisearlylearning.org -Early Childhood Professional Learning - https://www.eclearningil.org -STAR N...

In this episode, Dr. Angela Searcy shares the importance of considering context when thinking about challenging behavior. Dr. Searcy also shares how the "Push Past It" Approach from her book can be helpful for educators and professionals as a tool to be intentional when addressing challenging behaviors. Resources:  Dr. Angela Searcy Author Page: https://www.gryphonhouse.com/our-authors/a...

 In this episode, you will hear from Kristy Doan, Early Childhood Principal Consultant, about the vision of the Illinois State Board of Education Early Childhood Department and several other leaders of professional development organizations in Illinois, including Early Childhood Professional Learning, Early CHOICES and STAR NET. ISBE Professional Development Calendar: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/PD...

NAEYC advocates for educators to use strengths-based inclusive language to affirm all children and families they work with and identifies deficit language as a microaggression. In this episode, Dr. Anni Reinking, founder of Reinking Education Consulting, author, and researcher shares her knowledge on microaggressions and ways early childhood professionals can become conscious of implicit bias, so...

In this podcast episode, Sherial McKinney discusses the importance of mathematics in early childhood education.  She focuses on the importance of the adult's attitude when engaging in mathematical activities and reminds us to be aware of the attitude we portray when introducing math concepts. DREME - Development and Research in Early Math Education DREAM - Math Center Activities DREAME - &quo...

In this episode, Emily Reilly talks with Dr. Emily Dorsey with the Illinois Early Learning Project (IEL) to explore one aspect of the DAP core consideration of context, specifically rethinking the use of the term special needs.  Dr. Dorsey shares some of the factors that prompted IEL to shift the title of one of their blog posts from "Children with Special Needs" to "Children with D...

In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Meeker, Director of the Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Faculty member at Western Illinois University shares the benefits of and her experience with inquiry based learning as a way to support equitable play spaces for children. Stay connected and up to date on the topic on Lindsay's twitter account: @linsmeeker Resource:...

In this episode, Sherial McKinney, retired early childhood educator and current Resource Specialist with STAR NET Regions I and III, shares her knowledge about ways to make math learning fun and meaningful in the early childhood years. Listening to this episode will prompt educators and families to get creative in using natural opportunities and available resources to support math learning.  Sessi...