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SPEDTalk

SPEDTalk

By The Texas Education Service Centers' Special Education Liaisons

Welcome to SPEDTalk (2021 & 2022 Barbara Jordan Media Award Winners). Let's Elevate the Conversation and Celebrate the people and organizations making it happen for kids of Differing Abilities in Texas.
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Currently playing episode

SPED Leaders Leveraging Relationships and Developing Capacity

SPEDTalk Oct 27, 2019

00:00
44:45
To Be Like me

To Be Like me

The SPETalk team gets an amazing opportunity to speak with the Founder and some of the Leaders of To Be Like Me.

Mar 20, 202444:07
Culture Starts with a Connection: Go Slow to Go Fast

Culture Starts with a Connection: Go Slow to Go Fast

The team talks with Angi Thomas, Consultant Special Education Behavior at Region 14 ESC. The conversation centers around building culture and revisits an earlier episode with Merkel Middle School. Additionally, Angi shares some tips for educators.

Feb 27, 202448:26
Project Search: Spotlighting Transition Opportunities

Project Search: Spotlighting Transition Opportunities

The SPEDTalk crew speaks with Garland ISD about its partnership with Project Search.

Feb 13, 202442:12
Empowering Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students and Their Families

Empowering Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students and Their Families

Team member Molly Savant is not only a certified teacher for Deaf/Hard of Hearing she is also the parent of two Deaf/Hard of Hearing children. The SPEDTalk team talks with Molly about her experiences and struggles as a parent while the interpreter signs in this video episode.


Feb 02, 202450:60
Transforming Merkel Middle School: Changing Culture with PBIS

Transforming Merkel Middle School: Changing Culture with PBIS

The SPEDTalk crew chats with Merkel Middle School Principal about changing culture, overcoming adversity and a plan to turn the campus around.

Dec 11, 202336:57
Amarillo College Grows Aspiring Teachers

Amarillo College Grows Aspiring Teachers

In this episode, we dive into the dynamic partnership between Region 16 and Amarillo College, a collaboration reshaping educational opportunities and professional development for aspiring teachers. The episode highlights the innovative initiatives under this participation. Listeners will gain insights about the impact of this alliance on education to aspiring teachers providing a first-hand account of their journey and growth through these opportunities. This podcast is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the future of teaching and the power of educational collaboration.

Nov 14, 202344:26
Pam & John's Last Ride

Pam & John's Last Ride

In this episode the SPEDTalk team hears from Pam and John as they discuss the history of their involvement with the podcast and what is up next in each of their lives.

Sep 28, 202301:09:41
Texas Sensory Support Network: Deaf Hard of Hearing

Texas Sensory Support Network: Deaf Hard of Hearing

Emily Robinson, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist at the Texas Education Agency, and Twyla Loftin, DHH Project Lead, discuss educating students who are deaf or hard of hearing with the SPEDTalk crew. Emily will be speaking through an interpreter.

Aug 18, 202348:26
Creating Culture and Impacting Outcomes Through Project Based Learning at UTTUA
Jul 23, 202335:05
Getting to Know the SPEDTalk Team
Jun 24, 202346:24
Dr. Rodney Watson, A Believer in Possibilities
Jun 05, 202332:24
Creating Possibilities Through Co-Teach and Student Led IEPs
May 07, 202301:11:03
Lake Dallas Co-Teach, Capitalizing on the Power of Two
May 07, 202328:48
Student Led IEP Meetings, Students' Voices and Choices.
May 07, 202339:14
Leveraging Self-Assessment for Effective Implementation and Lasting Impact
Apr 23, 202344:13
Living Life Unbridled at Camp Able of Buffalo Gap
Apr 10, 202355:00
Texas Legal Framework Project Updates with Lee Lentz-Edwards
Mar 07, 202332:51
Fitting In By Standing Out With Autism
Feb 02, 202301:29:50
Giving Kids Hope and Giving Kids Help in Jasper ISD
Jan 07, 202351:12
Elevate and Excelerate: Working to Learn, Learning to Work
Dec 05, 202201:09:01
The Penguin Project Soars to New Heights in Corsicana ISD!
Nov 12, 202250:18
Now You See Me...
Oct 31, 202250:54
Doctor Doctor Give Me The News: Jennifer Alexander and Justin Porter Discuss Leadership and Direction at TEA
Sep 22, 202244:05
10 Minutes 'Til Videos: Quick Tips For Administrators
Aug 28, 202225:27
What's New in 22?
Aug 12, 202224:55
SPEDTalking STAAR Redesign
Jul 13, 202227:21
Partners Resource Network: Empowering Parents to Partner with Schools

Partners Resource Network: Empowering Parents to Partner with Schools

In this episode of SPEDTalk, we learn all about the Partners Resource Network (PRN), which is a non-profit agency that operates the Texas statewide network of Parent Training and Information Centers [PTI’s are funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)]. The PTI Projects are: PACT, PATHPEN, and TEAM. PRN helps parents to understand their child’s disability; understand their rights and responsibilities under IDEA; obtain and evaluate resources and services; and participate as team members with professionals in planning services for their children. PRN offers individual assistance over the phone and in-person to families who have questions about their child’s needs, workshops for parents and professionals take place on an ongoing basis throughout Texas, and resources such as printed publications and online materials available on a variety of relevant topics.

https://prntexas.org/

2021 Barbara Jordan Media Awards

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Big Changes

It Takes Courage To Create Culture & Kindness To Keep Us Connected! (Dr. JCB)


May 19, 202244:19
SPEDTalking Texas Transition
Apr 26, 202257:19
Experiencing The Cotton Boll Consortium
Apr 04, 202212:22
Bitty & Beau's Coffee Shops: More than just a great cup of coffee!
Mar 10, 202230:21
SPED Director Collaborative LiveBinder
Feb 18, 202228:08
Connecting The Dots in Waxahachie ISD
Feb 04, 202241:19
Doctor Dyslexia Dude to the Rescue!
Jan 18, 202227:39
Caring For and Empowering People of All Abilities: Alcove Care Assisted Living and So Much More!
Dec 20, 202143:53
Coach Goes Beyond The Game To Help Student Be Successful.
Nov 29, 202136:22
Trauma Informed Practices from Project Restore
Nov 14, 202151:29
SPEDTex on SPEDTalk: Simply Spectacular!
Oct 18, 202147:31
Elevating the Conversation with Justin Porter and Jennifer Patterson
Sep 30, 202151:40
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Aug 20, 202142:29
SPEDTalk Receives Governor's Award: Honoring Kami & Simon
Jul 14, 202132:47
SPEDTalking with Cheer Abilities
Jun 14, 202144:45
Riding on the Crest of a Wave with TX CAN
May 25, 202155:26
TEA & AIR: Aligning Efforts to Address Significant Disproportionality

TEA & AIR: Aligning Efforts to Address Significant Disproportionality

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John learn all about the Strategic Partnership between the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the American Institute for Research (AIR) to address Significant Disproportionality (SD) through grant opportunities for specific LEAs. The purpose of this grant is to support LEAs that have been notified of 1 or more areas of significant disproportionality in either discipline, identification, or restrictive placements. The Addressing Significant Disproportionality (SD) project will create a grant program to provide targeted LEAs with deep consultative services to identify systemic issues related to effective and equitable services to students in all groups. The consultation will include reviews of the following: student outcome data, child find policies and procedures, effective implementation of linguistically and culturally responsive pedagogy in tier 1 instruction, effective and appropriate tier 2 and tier 3 interventions, tier 1 behavior and systemic classroom management processes, as well as processes for ensuring all students are given access to high expectations and the corresponding rigorous academic coursework. This review will specifically build upon information gleaned from the review and support self-assessment. Aligned with current research, a major theme throughout all grant-funded activities is assisting LEAs in identifying the underlying causes of SD so they can appropriately select high-leverage Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs; i.e., multi-tiered systems of support, culturally responsive pedagogy, etc...) aligned to those needs. This will be evident in all resources, PD, and coaching.

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Big Changes

It Takes Courage To Create Culture & Kindness To Keep Us Connected! (Dr. JCB)

May 04, 202144:59
Special Edition: Penguin Project Takes Flight in Corsicana ISD

Special Edition: Penguin Project Takes Flight in Corsicana ISD

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John dive into the deep end of Inclusion with Corsicana ISD who is proud to be the first chapter
site in Texas of The Penguin Project. The Penguin Project is a magical and touching celebration of the human spirit that all unfolds on stage. Students across the district (4th - 12th grade) perform in the Broadway musical, Annie, Jr. The roles are filled by young artists with developmental disabilities such as autism, intellectual disabilities, visual or hearing impairment and other neurological disorders. Peer-mentors volunteer to work side-by-side with the special needs students from rehearsals to the final performance. Providing access to theater, The Penguin Project demonstrates that the special challenges of a disability should not handicap a child’s ability to participate in life’s experiences. This inclusion program provides a supportive environment for children of all abilities to explore their creative talents. The impact of this national program has reached beyond the stage to bring communities together for a wonderful cause. Corsicana ISD Special Programs, community volunteers, CISD staff, parents, students and numerous others have joined together under the direction of Cran Dodds to make this program a reality. 

Corsicana ISD Website

The Penguin Project 2021

The Penguin Project Bragging Rights Article

The Penguin Project Sponsor Info

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Big Changes

It Takes Courage To Create Culture & Kindness To Keep Us Connected! (Dr. JCB)

Apr 14, 202151:01
Moments of Impact Multiplied by the MEMN Network
Apr 06, 202152:14
TIERing Support and Closing Gaps Through Evidenced Based Practice

TIERing Support and Closing Gaps Through Evidenced Based Practice

In this episode of SPEDTalk, Pam and John learn all about the amazing work of the TIER Network. Tiered Interventions Using Evidence-Based Research, or TIER, is a project funded by the Texas Education Agency. Their goal is to provide educators, caregivers, and other educational stakeholders with the knowledge and materials to ensure appropriate implementation of multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) in every school across Texas.

The TIER network is developing comprehensive and coherent trainings and resources for evidence-based intervention practices across the state. The network strives to increase LEA and ESC capacity to develop and implement an effective, integrated, comprehensive framework for intervention that is grounded in differentiated instruction and aligns the systems that are fundamental for all students’ academic, behavioral, and social achievement.

They have developed a series of modules that focus on different components of MTSS. Within each module, you’ll find more specific pathways. A pathway includes a presentation with handouts as well as a video of the presentation. Presenters can use the presentation and handouts during professional learning. Educators and caregivers can use the video and handouts to walk through the content on their own.

For more information, contact them at TIER@meadowscenter.org.

TIER Website - https://tier.tea.texas.gov/

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Big Changes

It Takes Courage To Create Culture & Kindness To Keep Us Connected! (Dr. JCB)

Mar 12, 202147:01
Loving Students Doesn't Lower Expectations
Feb 08, 202140:04
TAMUSA & Burleson ASPIRE to Elevate Transition in Texas to New Heights
Jan 21, 202153:02
Don't Be Afraid To Be Included!
Dec 21, 202001:14:10
SPEDTalk, Party of Five!
Dec 01, 202024:57