Summary

Diana Fannon, a director of special education, discusses her career journey from being a classroom teacher to a school psychologist and administrator. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive education and the need for teachers to be familiar with special education accommodations and modifications. Diana also highlights the significance of universal design for learning and creating a welcoming and accessible learning environment for all students. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by teachers in implementing inclusive practices and the need for ongoing professional learning and support. The conversation explores the challenges and strategies of inclusive education, with a focus on special education and the importance of collaboration and communication between teachers, administrators, and parents. The guests discuss the difficulties of balancing the needs of students with disabilities in general education classrooms and the limited time and resources available for special education support. They also highlight the significance of frequent contact with parents, transparency, and preparation in the process of assessing, identifying, and placing students in effective programs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of high expectations for all students and the power of inclusive experiences in fostering growth and success.

Takeaways

• Inclusive education requires teachers to create a welcoming and accessible learning environment for all students.

• Teachers should be familiar with special education accommodations and modifications and know how to implement them in the classroom.

• Universal design for learning can help address the diverse needs of students and create a more inclusive learning experience.

• Professional learning and support are essential for teachers to effectively implement inclusive practices.

• Understanding the standards and curriculum is crucial for special education teachers to support students in accessing grade-level content. Collaboration and communication between teachers, administrators, and parents are crucial in ensuring the success of inclusive education.

• Balancing the needs of students with disabilities in general education classrooms can be challenging due to limited time and resources.

• Frequent contact with parents, transparency, and preparation are essential in the process of assessing, identifying, and placing students in effective programs.

• Having high expectations for all students and providing inclusive experiences can foster growth and success.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Career Journey

• 03:07 Challenges of Classroom Teaching and Transition to School Psychology

• 08:05 Implementing Accommodations and Modifications

• 10:56 Creating a Welcoming and Accessible Learning Environment

• 13:10 The Need for Ongoing Professional Learning

• 15:13 Supporting Students in Accessing Grade-Level Content

• 30:02 Assessing, Identifying, and Placing Students

• 33:58 Supporting Teachers and Schools

• 36:31 Innovation and Growth in Education

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