Overview:

Today host Lori Boll speaks with Cath Brew. Cath  is an artist who illustrates and educates about marginalised experiences for positive change - with a focus on identity, belonging and expat life.

She’s also a passionate advocate for open and honest conversations. Cath hosts Talk-Back Tuesday - a weekly Q&A on social media about LGBTQ+ issues and the podcast ‘Drawn to a Deeper Story’ which explores the lives that challenge us and the difficult conversations around them.

Cath will be speaking at the upcoming SENIA conference in the inclusive practices strand, helping all of us understand how we can better support our LGBTQ+ students.

Note: Today’s podcast lasts a few minutes longer than 30 minutes.

Connect with Cath

• Instagram- Talk Back Tuesday
• Facebook
• Twitter

Bio

Cath is an artist who illustrates and educates about marginalised experiences for positive change - with a focus on identity, belonging and expat life.

She is a passionate advocate for open and honest conversations. Cath hosts Talk-Back Tuesday - a weekly Q&A on social media about LGBTQ+ issues and the podcast ‘Drawn to a Deeper Story’ which explores the lives that challenge us and the difficult conversations around them. Cath also works as a shamanic practitioner, helping people to find relief from their emotional wounds.

Overview:

On today’s podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with LeDerick Horne, one of SENIA’s keynote speakers at our upcoming virtual conference.

LeDerick was diagnosed with a learning difference in 3rd grade. He shares how this diagnosis impacted him as a child and how he used his passion for poetry to advocate for a more inclusive school system and a more inclusive society.

LeDerick also talks about his podcast, The Black and Dyslexic podcast, and his advocacy work for a school in Kenya.

Please read more about LeDerick’s work below in the bio.

Connect

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Buy the book

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Show

• The Black & Dyslexic Podcast
• Rare Gem Talent School in Kenya
  • Global Giving page for Rare Gem Talent School

Bio

Labeled with a Learning Disability in third grade, LeDerick Horne defies any and all labels. He’s a dynamic spoken-word poet. A tireless advocate for all People with Disabilities. An inspiring motivational speaker. A bridge-builder between learners and leaders across the U.S. and around the world who serves as a role model for all races, genders, and generations. The grandson of one of New Jersey’s most prominent civil rights leaders, LeDerick uses his gift for spoken-word poetry as the gateway to larger discussions on equal opportunity, pride, self-determination and hope for People with Disabilities.

His workshops, keynote speeches, and performances reach thousands of students, teachers, legislators, policy makers, business leaders, and service providers each year. He regularly addresses an array of academic, government, social, and business groups, including appearances at the White House, the United Nations, Harvard University, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, and the State Departments of Education across the US. His work addresses the challenges of all disabilities, uniting the efforts of diverse groups in order to achieve substantive, systemic change. You can learn more about him and his work at www.lederick.com.

Overview:

On today’s podcast, I speak with Sara Larrington, a learning support coordinator at Dresden International School. Growing up, Sara felt “different” from their peers. In Sara’s 20’s they received a diagnosis of Aspergers. Our discussion today focuses on Sara’s experiences in school as a child, why boys are diagnosed at a much higher rate than girls with ASD, what schools can do to better support their neurodivergent learners, and how Sara’s ability to connect with students is their super power. I hope you enjoy our conversation today as much as I did. And now...onto the show.

Connect with Sara:

• Website
• Twitter
• Linkedin

Bio

Sara Larrington (they/them)  is an educator with 21 years of experience. As a person who is Asperger's, they  have always had a passion for helping students who are learning diverse and for facilitating inclusion.

Sara has been lucky enough to work in International Education since 2010 which has taken them to Thailand, Panama, Vietnam and Germany

Overview:

Today I speak with Leah Kuypers, the creator of the Zones of Regulation curriculum which has been enthusiastically received by educators, therapists and parents around the world, Leah’s  book, also entitled The Zones of Regulation, has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide.. If you are new to the Zones or need a refresher, then be sure to join us for our SENIA virtual conference in December, as Leah will be teaching us about the Basics of The Zones of Regulation. In today’s podcast we learn about her inspiration behind creating the curriculum and how teachers and parents can implement it into their classrooms and homes. We discuss what it means to feel regulated and also about the impact of Covid on our children’s ability to regulate on a daily basis upon going back to school. I know you’ll enjoy this podcast, so happy listening.

Connect with Leah:

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Show:

• Zones Check-in Video
• Zones Storybook Set + Zones Tools to Try Cards for Kids 
• Zones Tools to Try Cards for Tweens & Teens
• Zones of Regulation Curriculum

Bio:

Leah Kuypers has practiced as an OT and specialist in school and clinical settings, specializing in regulation and social-emotional learning. Through this work, she was inspired to create The Zones of Regulation (Think Social Publishing, 2011) which has been enthusiastically received by educators, therapists and parents around the world. In addition to developing additional learning tools to supplement The Zones of Regulation curriculum, she owns a small business, Kuypers Consulting, Inc., based out of Minneapolis, MN .  She enjoys providing training and consultations to parents, schools and professionals by offering workshops on regulation and the Zones framework to groups locally, around the United States and internationally. To date over 100,000 copies of The Zones of Regulation book have been sold and the framework has been implemented in districts around the world to support students' social emotional learning.  Please visit www.zonesofregulation for additional information, a current schedule of trainings, and to find support in implementing The Zones of Regulation.

Overview:

On today’s podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with Michelle Garcia Winner, the creator and founder of Social Thinking and a globally recognized thought leader, author, speaker, and social-cognitive therapist. She is dedicated to helping people of all ages develop social-emotional learning, including those with social competency challenges. Across her 35+ year career she has created numerous evidence-based strategies, treatment frameworks, and curricula to help interventionists foster social competencies in those they support. Michelle's work also teaches how these competencies impact a person's broader life, including their ability to maintain relationships and their success in school and career.

Today we discuss the concept of Social Thinking, who benefits from it, some strategies to try, and why there’s no such thing as a mild social skill deficit. Michelle is one of SENIA’s keynote speakers at our upcoming conference, and Michelle gives us a sneak peek into her topic in this podcast. We (SENIA) hope you’ll join us for our conference, and hope you enjoy today’s conversation. And now...onto the show.

Connect with Michelle:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Show:

• Social Thinking Free Webinars
• Social Fortune or Social Fate: A Social Thinking Manga-Style Map for Social Quest Seekers
• Social Thinking Resources

Bio

Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP, is the founder of Social Thinking and a globally recognized thought leader, author, speaker, and social-cognitive therapist. She is dedicated to helping people of all ages develop social-emotional learning, including those with social competency challenges. Across her 35+ year career she has created numerous evidence-based strategies, treatment frameworks, and curricula to help interventionists foster social competencies in those they support. Michelle's work also teaches how these competencies impact a person's broader life, including their ability to maintain relationships and their success in school and career.

Overview:

Today’s podcast is all about Watch Parties! In December we’ll be holding our virtual conference and as an organization, we encourage you to hold a watch party at your school or in your community. What is a Watch Party, you ask? Ah, good question. Laura Cox, the PK 12 Inclusion Services Coordinator and Coach at the American International School of Johannesburg discuss that today.Laura is an educator and leader who believes that our questions inform our learning journey. And this belief inspired her to hold a watch party at her school last year. Today we’ll learn how Laura and her team organized the event, what it looked like for them, and how they got their administration on board with the idea. Laura’s and my hope, after listening to the podcast today, is that you will consider hosting a watch party at your school, as we believe that when we learn and discuss together, we all grow as individuals and as a group collectively.

Connect with Laura

• Website
• Twitter

Bio

Laura Cox is an educator and leader who believes that our questions inform our learning journey. She is passionate about working with neurodiverse students and multilingual learners because she believes all students have a right to an education that is relevant to their needs, goals, and interests. She has a Masters in both Special Education and Leadership and has taught in public schools in the United States, the International School of Prague, and is currently the K12 Inclusion Services Coordinator and Coach at the American International School in Johannesburg (AISJ).

Overview:

Today on the podcast, I had the great opportunity to speak with Kristel Solomon Saleem who is a passionate inclusion leader and will be one of our presenters at the upcoming SENIA virtual conference.

Kristel currently works as the Director of Students Services at the KAUST school in Saudi Arabia. She is the Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator of Next Frontier Inclusion (NFI) and contributes to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Guidelines for Inclusive Education.  Our conversation today revolves around inclusion and how schools can build an inclusive culture. We also discuss how all of us can advocate for more inclusive practices at our international schools. Plus Kristel gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming presentation.

Connect with Kristel

• Website
• Twitter
• Linkedin

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Show:

• Next Frontier Inclusion (NFI)
• Adaptive Schools
• Dilts Nested Levels
  • Visual of Levels

Bio

Kristel’s dedication and passion in the field of education has led her to work with a wide range of schools and organizations that ensure children have access to quality education so that they may find their individual pathways to excellence. Her personal commitment to leading has allowed her to work closely with the Next Frontier Inclusion (NFI) as their Asia-Pacific Regional Coordinator, The Special Education and Inclusion Association (SENIA) and contribute to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Guidelines for Inclusive Education. As a workshop leader, Kristel endeavors to develop and support teacher self-efficacy in their work with all learners. Her belief in the possibilities and unseen potential of a lifelong learner has led her to explore the physiological and neurological makeup of individuals in order to gain a deeper understanding of our students and enhance our role as educators.Kristel is a graduate of Temple University with degrees in Elementary and Special Education and a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology. She is currently pursuing an additional graduate certification in Mind, Brain, and Teaching from Johns Hopkins University.

Overview:

Today I speak with Steve Leinwand who has a long and impressive career as a math teacher, leader, researcher, and author in the field. Steve calls himself a Math Education Change Agent and as you’ll see does not hold back from sharing his views on how we can best support our students and teach math in a way that is meaningful to them. Steve shares best practice strategies and explains why students learn much more from our questions than our lectures. We also discuss UDL, the effects of the pandemic, and give you a sneak peek into Steve’s presentation for SENIA 2021.

Connect with Steve

• Website
  

Bio

Steve Leinwand is a principal research analyst at AIR, the American Institutes for Research in Arlington, VA, and has over 40 years of leadership positions in mathematics education. He currently serves as mathematics expert on a wide range of AIR projects that focus on high quality mathematics instruction, turning around underperforming schools, improving adult education, evaluating programs, developing assessments and providing technical assistance for school improvement. Leinwand co-authored "What the United States Can Learn from Singapore's World-Class Mathematics System (and what Singapore can learn from the United States." Leinwand has spoken and written about effectively implementing the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics, differentiated learning and “What Every School Leader Needs to Know about Making Math Work for All Students. In addition, Leinwand has provided school and district-level support and technical assistance for the General Electric Foundation’s Ensuring Futures in Education project and the Microsoft Math Partnership, As part of AIR’s assessment program, Leinwand has overseen the development and quality review of multiple-choice and constructed response items for AIR’s contracts with Ohio, Hawaii, Delaware, Minnesota, South Carolina and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.

Before joining AIR in 2002, Leinwand spent 22 years as Mathematics Consultant with the Connecticut Department of Education where he was responsible for the development and oversight of a broad statewide program of activities in K-12 mathematics education including the provision of technical assistance and professional development, the evaluation of Title 1 and K-12 mathematics programs, the assessment of student achievement and teacher competency, and the coordination of statewide mathematics programs and activities. Steve has also served on the NCTM Board of Directors and has been President of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics.

Steve is an author of several mathematics textbooks and has written numerous articles. His books, Sensible Mathematics: A Guide for School Leaders in the Era of Common Core State Standards and Accessible Mathematics: 10 Instructional Shifts That Raise Student Achievement were published by Heinemann in 2012 and 2009 respectively. His forthcoming Invigorating High School Mathematics: Practical Guidance for Long-Overdue Transformation, co-written with Eric Milou is due out in Fall, 2021. In addition, Leinwand was the awardee of the 2015 National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics Glenn Gilbert/Ross Taylor National Leadership Award for outstanding contributions to mathematics education and has been awarded the 2021 NCTM Lifetime Achievement Award.

Overview:

Today on the podcast, we welcome back Tracey Ellis from International Diagnostic Solutions (IDS) to discuss the impact this past pandemic year has had on families, parents, teachers, and students with learning needs. Tracey predicts there will be large uptake in student referrals for assessment and evaluation since so many of our kids spent the year behind a computer screen, making it more difficult for their teachers and specialists to be able to identify possible red flags.

Connect with Tracey

• Website
  
• Twitter
  
• Facebook
  
• Email
  

Bio

Tracey Ellis is the CEO and founder of International Diagnostic Solutions, a company providing online special needs services and therapy to families and schools around the world through a telehealth model. Tracey started IDS over a decade ago as the first online special education team to support families abroad.

As an occupational therapist by training and with a background in public health and special education, Tracey recognized early on that using online delivery of support and resources could mean that children could have access to experts, treatment, and assessment no matter where they lived. As a champion for inclusion, Tracey has worked hard in these 10 years to provide schools with the resources and training to make sure that all children participate and all children succeed.

Overview:

Parents with children with special needs can find themselves overwhelmed as they do their best to care for their children. It's easy for them to get caught up doing many "good" tasks throughout the day to ensure their child's growth. As a parent coach, Sharoya Ham aims to give parents the permission to let go of some of those “I-need-to-do” tasks to focus on self-care and to recapture the joy of parenting. Her motto for parents is: Parenting is a Gift; Not a To-Do List!

Today Sharoya talks about the three C’s of parenting a child with profound needs: Connection, Community, & Coaching.

Connect with Sharoya

• Facebook- Embrace Behavior Change
  
• Facebook- Embrace Behavior Change Parent Group- Private
  
• Email
  

Bio

Sharoya is a veteran teacher and former stay-at-home mom of 17 years, who's now the Founder of Embrace Behavior Change, a parent coaching practice aimed at helping parents transform from a state of stress and overwhelm to a place of confidence and peace in their parenting. She has a special place in her heart for special needs families.