As special education teachers, we know how important it is to have solid teacher-parent relationships. Strong teacher-parent relationships help us best serve our students by creating a collaborative team approach that helps create a supportive environment for the students both at home and at school. But understanding how we as educators can develop these solid relationships can be challenging. That is why I am so grateful that Kelley Coleman is joining us today to provide us with some incredible insight from a parent’s perspective.

Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports draws upon over a decade of experience, including her own experience parenting a child with multiple disabilities. Kelley lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two boys, and her son’s trusty service dog.

In this episode, Kelley shares her experience with ableism and what it means, what parents find important when meeting teachers, and how teachers can help foster a strong teacher-parent relationship.

02:56 - Kelley’s journey and experience parenting a child with multiple disabilities

11:12 - What ableism is and how teachers and parents can be respectful of a child’s privacy in terms of their disability

22:15 - What educators should know about meeting parents for the first time and what is really important to parents

25:05 - How both parents and schools can foster strong, positive teacher-parent relationships

35:05 - Why teachers and parents should be in ongoing communication throughout the school year, not just at IEP meetings

Show Notes: http://autismclassroomresources.com/episode214

Resources:

• Visit Kelley’s website
• Follow Kelley on Instagram @hellokelleycoleman
• Add Kelley on Facebook
• Join the Autism Classroom Resources' Free Resource Library
• Get more information about the Special Educator Academy
• Join the Free Facebook Group

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