Love Is a Classroom: Stories of Inclusion

In this episode, Rochelle shares her story about Archer and his family. We will talk about her preparation, her use of home visits to support inclusion, and the priorities she places on relationships. She will also share recommendations for teachers in inclusive classrooms or considering teaching in inclusive classrooms.  Image Description: The image above is a woman named Rochelle with a child named Archer, both smiling. They are in a room with a bookcase and shelf in the background. Rochelle is wearing glasses and there is a book visible in the image.  Resources mentioned in the episode https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/ https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/children-disabilities/article/head-start-center-inclusion https://mesacountypcf.org/ https://www.d51schools.org/departments/early_childhood_education   If you have a story you want to share, go to Loveisaclassroom.com/contact  

In this episode you will meet Anita and Zach Hamilton, the parents of Archer Hamilton. Archer was introduced in episode 1 by Ms. Rochelle. Anita and Zach share their story about Archer’s transition from preschool with Ms. Rochelle into a general education kindergarten classroom. We will talk along the way about the necessity for communication, the importance of continuity, receiving a one to one aid, their fears, priorities and advocating for Archer. This is the first of a two part episode with Anita and Zach. Subscribe to receive a notification for the release of the second episode.

In this powerful episode, we resume the conversation from episode 2 when I spoke with Zach and Anita about their story and experiences with Archer's transition from Ms. Rochelle's preschool classroom into kindergarten. In this episode, we delve into the emotions experienced by Archer's parents when he is genuinely included in every aspect of life. If you haven't listened to the first two episodes, I encourage you to give those a listen before continuing with this episode.    Archer's CP Adventures Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/archerscpadventures?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

In this episode, Archer, Aubrey, and Aaliyah, the children of Zach and Anita Hamilton, whose stories you heard in episodes 2 and 3, share their experiences growing up together. Their words, particularly those of Aubrey, reinforce the positive enduring impact of Archer's inclusion in Miss Rochelle's inclusive preschool classroom in District 51. In Episode 1, Rochelle Said, her conversation with Archer was as good as any she had with anyone. She did not oversell. Cover art by Josie Filippelli https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-filippelli/  

We started with one teacher, Rochelle Buniger. Episodes 2 through 4 showed that the acts of one teacher have an impact that goes far beyond the classroom. In this episode, I hope you, my listener, will see that high-quality meaningful inclusion is more than the love of one teacher and the positive outcomes of inclusion have the potential to go just as far for children without disabilities as it does for children with disabilities. Episode 5, the final episode in this inaugural series features Christy Donathan, the director of the early childhood education department in District 51. Her stories and the responses to my questions provide a glimpse behind the scenes into a school district that creates inclusive experiences like the one Archer and his family received. Resources mentioned in Episode 5 Pyramid Model Resources: https://challengingbehavior.org/pyramid-model/overview/basics/ Inclusive Schooling: https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/ The Circle Makers by Julie Causton https://a.co/d/7QIVnKW Kristie Donathan kristie.donathan@d51schools.org If you have a story you want to share, go to Loveisaclassroom.com/contact   Cover art by Josie Filippelli https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-filippelli/    

This focused episode is about advocating for a child with a disability or who is neurodivergent. It features a panel of three distinguished parent advocates. The panelists share their experiences, stories, and professional knowledge. They talk about building meaningful relationships with IEP and IFSP team members, advocating when, from a parental perspective the district data isn't sufficient, continuity between classrooms, schools, and district policies, and influencing changes in culture and policy through meaningful relationships. The advocacy panel was recorded as a launch event for my memoir Love Is a Classroom. The topics discussed come from experiences I shared in the memoir.     About the panelists: Kimberly Travers is dedicated to enhancing the lives of families and their children with disabilities along with the professionals who serve them by focusing on Early Intervention policy, practice, and research. Kimberly’s professional and personal experience and expertise are critical elements that she brings to many classrooms, councils, boards, and workgroups, as well as professional development activities. Her passion for family-centered, natural environments, and evidence-based practices can be seen during her presentations and advisory work, inspiring families and professionals to team more successfully. Kimberly has extensive experience at the local, state, and national levels in the field of early intervention. Kimberly’s work experience includes service provision and service coordination to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, training and technical assistance, and policy recommendations. Kimberly’s journey as a parent of a child with a disability elevated her understanding of the importance of the family voice and informed decision-making at all levels. Sarah Davidon has over 30 years of experience in the field of policy, health promotion and prevention, early childhood models of impact, and children's mental health. She is a passionate and dedicated advocate for improving access to children's mental health care and creating effective public policies. As the Deputy Ombudsman at Colorado Ombudsman for Behavioral Health Access to Care (BHOCO), I provide leadership and co-create strategies to help those who are seeking care or providing care navigate complicated systems, investigate concerns and complaints, and assess recommendations for reform. In addition to my role as the Deputy Ombudsman, I am also the Principal and Owner of Davidon Consulting, LLC, a consulting firm that focuses on children's mental health and the intersection of mental health and educational systems. I have provided keynotes, presentations, facilitated dialogue, and policy strategy to various clients, including the Colorado School Medicaid Consortium, the Office of the Behavioral Health Ombudsman of Colorado, Georgetown Center for Child and Human Development, Community First Foundation (now Colorado Gives Foundation) and the Mental Health Center of Denver. I serve as an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, where I advise multiple states on funding and policies related to early childhood systems and mental health consultation. Beth Cole has worked in early intervention since 1996. I began as a parent advocate after my son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2-1/2. I worked as a paraeducator for 6 years in the same K-8 school where my son was. I also worked at the local and state level in Colorado’s early intervention Part C program for children birth – 3 with developmental delays and disabilities. I was very involved in helping to develop Colorado’s Part C early intervention provider training and the telehealth training. I’ve now been working at WestEd since 2021, providing TA to state Part C programs on their fiscal systems and I’m a part of the team working on an OSEP-funded demonstration project that focuses on screening and referral to Part C or other early childhood programs. I received my masters in Nonprofit Management in 2004 and my Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Equity in 2019. If you have a story you want to share, go to Loveisaclassroom.com/contact Cover art by Josie Filippelli https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-filippelli/    

In the second series of Love Is a Classroom: Stories of Inclusion listeners will meet Brooke Walker, Wendy Bowman, Ms. Onofre, Ms. Anderson, and others. Together they tell the story of a team coming together to create classrooms inclusive to all children, especially Navee Walker - a deaf child not introduced to language until she was adopted at 4 1/2. But high-quality meaningful inclusion requires appropriate, individualized supports. As Navee goes into second grade, the availability of supports is in question. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Love is a Classroom: Stories of Inclusion - Episode 1: The Journey of Navee Walker In the first episode of the second series of 'Love is a Classroom: Stories of Inclusion,' Brooke Walker shares her experiences creating an inclusive environment for her deaf daughter, Navee Walker. Brooke discusses the challenges and successes of integrating Navee into both a private deaf school and a public school system, highlighting the importance of community support, specialized education, and advocating for the needs of children with disabilities. This episode sets the stage for a deeper understanding of inclusive education, the significance of the Teacher of the Deaf (TOD), and parental perseverance.   Questions to contemplate while you listen:   1) How does listening to Brooke change or challenge your perspectives around family partnerships when working with family members of children with an identified disability? 2) What part of this episode struck you as a significant point about creating inclusive classroom for children and their families?   If you're interested in embedding this episode into a training or course, go to https://loveisaclassroom.com/instructor-trainer-resources/ for a free guide.   00:00 Introduction to Navee's Journey 00:19 Welcome to Love is a Classroom 00:51 Meet the Team Behind Navee's Inclusion 01:18 Brooke Walker's Family and Navee's Adoption 02:09 Challenges and Triumphs in Communication 04:15 Navee's School Experience and Community Support 07:48 Transition to Public School 12:09 The Importance of a Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) 15:53 Advocating for Navee's Educational Rights 26:23 Reflections and Advice for Other Families 28:19 Conclusion and Future Episodes   If you have a story you want to share, go to Loveisaclassroom.com/contact Learn more about the Walkers at https://www.facebook.com/share/YR77JYxWauTB3WqY/ https://www.tiktok.com/@naveesworld?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc   Cover art by Josie Filippelli https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-filippelli/

Embracing Inclusion: A Teacher's Journey with a Deaf Student In this episode of 'Love is a Classroom: Stories of Inclusion,' host Ms. Onofre, a seasoned kindergarten teacher, shares her candid experiences with including Navee Walker, a deaf student, into her classroom. Through heartfelt stories and practical insights, she discusses the challenges and triumphs of creating an inclusive environment, advocating for necessary support, and the profound impact of inclusion on both students and teachers. The episode highlights the importance of mindset, collaboration, and love in fostering a truly inclusive educational experience. 00:00 Introduction to Inclusion 01:07 Meet Ms. Onofre 01:46 The Decision to Include Navee 02:55 Preparing the Classroom 07:01 Understanding Inclusion 12:29 Support and Advocacy 17:21 Welcoming Navee 26:49 Creating Connections 28:55 Reflections on Inclusion 31:52 Conclusion and Next Steps   For more information on the heartset, mindset, and skillset go to https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/   If you have a story you want to share, go to Loveisaclassroom.com/contact   Cover art by Josie Filippelli https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-filippelli/

The Transformative Power of Inclusion: Navee's First Grade Teacher In this episode of 'Love is a Classroom: Stories of Inclusion', Christy Anderson, a seasoned teacher with a background in Deaf Education, shares her experiences of creating an inclusive first-grade classroom. Highlighting the impact of her student Navee, who is deaf, Christy recounts how inclusion enriched the learning environment for all students. Through stories of shared learning and mutual support, Christy demonstrates the importance of inclusive education, the challenges posed by standardized tests for Deaf students, and the benefits of collaborative teaching. The episode emphasizes the potential of every child and the need for educators' dedication to fostering inclusive, high-quality learning experiences. 00:00 Introduction and Impact of the Year 00:22 Welcome to Love is a Classroom 00:44 Recap of Previous Episodes 01:23 Introducing Christy Anderson 02:23 Navee's Inclusion Journey 05:00 Impact on Other Students 09:07 Challenges and Concerns 11:24 Solutions and Future Vision 18:59 Advice for Teachers 24:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   If you have a story you want to share, go to Loveisaclassroom.com/contact   Cover art by Josie Filippelli https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-filippelli/

More Than an Interpreter In fourth episode of the second series of 'Love is a Classroom: Stories of Inclusion,' the focus is on Wendy Bowman, a sign language interpreter with over 30 years of experience. In the episode, she shares her perspective on Deaf culture, education, and the essential role of interpreters. Wendy discusses the challenges and successes of the inclusion of deaf children in general education settings, emphasizing the need for the right resources and support. She also highlights the impact of inclusion on both deaf and hearing students, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual understanding. The episode concludes with a reflection on the broader implications for the education system and a call to action for better support and advocacy for children with disabilities. 00:00 Introduction to Inclusive Education 00:33 Navee's Journey and the Power of Inclusion 01:25 Exploring Deaf Culture and Education with Wendy Bowman 02:49 Challenges and Triumphs in Deaf Education 04:10 The Importance of Early Language Development 08:20 Navigating Public and Deaf School Systems 19:11 Building Relationships and Inclusion in the Classroom 26:57 Concluding Thoughts and Future Considerations   Wendy Bowman: Wendybowman18@gmail.com If you have a story you want to share, go to Loveisaclassroom.com/contact   Cover art by Josie Filippelli https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-filippelli/

This episode of 'Love is a Classroom: Stories of Inclusion' delves into the life of Navee, a 7-year-old deaf child, and her experiences in an inclusive setting. The show features insightful discussions with Wendy and Brooke about the cultural challenges of being a hearing family with a deaf child. They emphasize the distinct differences between English and American Sign Language (ASL), the importance of appropriate communication, and the need for unconditional inclusion. The episode also touches on the significance of creating accessible social experiences and the impact of cultural exposure on Navee's language development. Listen to Navee and her siblings, Holland and Carson, as they share their unique perspectives and experiences. The episode concludes by discussing the broader implications of inclusive education and the necessity of tailored support for deaf children.   Watch the video recording of the episode at https://youtu.be/AtHGg3lvbyg   00:00 Introduction and Misconceptions About Sign Language 00:43 Welcome to Love is a Classroom 01:27 Challenges of Podcasting with a Deaf Child 01:46 Cultural Experiences of a Hearing Family with a Deaf Child 02:26 Interpreting and Communication Tips 03:22 Personal Stories and Experiences 07:49 Inclusion and Communication in Daily Life 10:30 Navee's Summer Camp and Family Friends 13:30 Welcoming Navee, Holland, and Carson 18:08 Navee's Interests and Activities 20:36 Conclusion and Reflections on Inclusion   Contact me on social media or through my website for more information on my work: loveisaclassroom.com Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show. It helps other listeners find this show. Follow me on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram 

In this focused episode of 'Love is a Classroom: Stories of Inclusion,' Vicky Brett and Amanda Selogie, special education attorneys and founders of the Inclusive Education Project, join me to discuss events in Series 2 and the importance of inclusive education for children with disabilities. We talk about Brooke's circumstances with Navee. My guests address the legal obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004, the challenges families face in securing appropriate support, and the powerful role teachers and parents play in advocating for inclusive environments. The episode highlights a real-world events, practical solutions, collaboration, and the societal impact of true inclusion in schools.   00:00 Introduction to Inclusion and Legal Rights 00:48 Meet the Experts: Vicky and Amanda 01:47 Challenges in Inclusive Education 02:28 Legal Framework and Parental Advocacy 03:00 Personal Journeys into Special Education Law 06:34 Navigating the IDEA and Legal Obligations 11:01 Funding and Resource Allocation Issues 14:19 Empowering Parents and Teachers 21:29 Rethinking Educational Models 31:19 Final Thoughts and Contact Information   Contact Inclusive Education Project: https://www.inclusiveeducationproject.org/ admin@IEPCalifornia.Org Listen to the Inclusive Education Project podcast on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.   Contact me on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram or email me at loveisaclassroom.com for more information on my work. Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show. It helps other listeners find this show.