In this episode of Conversations with the Co-op, host Jeffrey Lee sits down with Kate Hurd, ASD Coordinator for the Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative, to explore two distinct approaches to data in special education. Kate shares her perspective on collecting highly accurate, comprehensive data to inform programming decisions, particularly in Federal Setting III center-based classrooms. Jeffrey offers a more streamlined, functional approach often used in Settings I and II. Together, they examine the benefits and limitations of each perspective, the importance of context, and how teams can find the right balance to best support student success.

In this final episode of the 2024–2025 school year, Jeffrey Lee is joined by Lynn Krominga, Assistant Director of Special Education at the Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative, to unpack one of the most foundational and often misunderstood questions in our field: What is special education?

Together, they explore:

• What qualifies as special education and what doesn’t

• The role and purpose of related services in schools

• How teams determine when a student may no longer need special education

• What supports remain available when academic struggles persist

Whether you're a teacher, case manager, related service provider, or administrator, this conversation offers clarity and practical reflection on how we serve students and support teams.

Thanks for listening this school year. We’ll be back in the fall with more conversations to inform and inspire your special education practice.

In this episode of Conversations with the Co-op, host Jeffrey Lee is joined by Jim Kath, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Coordinator at PBEC, for a powerful conversation about how student behavior communicates unmet needs. Rather than viewing behavior through a lens of compliance or disruption, Jim and Jeffrey explore how educators can shift toward curiosity, empathy, and proactive support.

Whether you're a case manager, classroom teacher, or administrator, this episode will help you:

• Understand behavior as a form of communication

• Recognize how unmet needs show up through actions

• Consider strategies for supporting students more effectively

Tune in to reflect on how listening to behavior, not just managing it, can strengthen student and team outcomes.

In this episode of Conversations with the Co-op, host Lainey Sandberg sits down with Jeffrey Lee, K-12 Special Education Coordinator at PBEC, to discuss a powerful mindset shift in special education: Are we testing the student, or are we testing the supports?

Together, they unpack how starting with the assumption that students can succeed—when the right supports are in place—can change the conversation around interventions and placement decisions. Jeffrey shares how educators can move from focusing on student deficits to critically evaluating the effectiveness of supports and interventions.

Key takeaways include:

• Why the default assumption should be that students can succeed in general education with proper supports.
• How to reframe team discussions around data and interventions.
• Practical steps teams can take to assess and adjust supports before making placement decisions.

Tune in to learn how testing supports, not students, leads to better outcomes and empowers educators to continually refine their practice.

In this episode of Conversations with the Co-op, host Jeffrey Lee is joined by Morty Morton-Aldous, the Low Incidence Coordinator of Physical Impairment, Other Health Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and Assistive Technology at PBEC. Morty takes us through the essential role of assistive technology (AT) in special education and how it enhances the learning experience for students with disabilities.

During the conversation, Morty explains the distinction between assistive technology, accommodations, and modifications, and highlights how AT can empower students by targeting their specific needs. The episode also explores the key components of an effective assistive technology plan, including the evaluation process, choosing the right tools, and integrating AT into everyday teaching practices.

This episode is essential for any special education teacher looking to better understand how assistive technology can create meaningful change in their students' education.

In this episode of Conversations with the Co-op, host Jeffrey Lee sits down with Tessa Capelle, a physical therapist with the Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative, to explore physical therapy's critical role in schools. Tessa explains how mobility and independence are foundational to a student’s ability to access their education and engage meaningfully in the school environment.

Together, they unpack the indirect service model, where physical therapists empower teachers, case managers, and paraprofessionals to support students' physical and educational needs effectively. From understanding individualized strategies to fostering inclusion, this conversation provides educators, parents, and support staff with a clear roadmap for collaboration in ensuring every child thrives.

Tune in to discover how physical therapy in schools is much more than movement—it’s about building pathways to independence and success.

In this episode of Conversations with the Co-op, Jeffrey Lee speaks with Emily Museus, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator at PBEC, about the transformative power of early intervention for children with developmental delays. They explore how these services, in collaboration with families and communities, support children’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth while strengthening the caregiver-child bond.

In this episode of Conversations with the Co-op, Jeffrey Lee, K-12 Special Education Coordinator, is joined by school psychologist Natalia Lynch to break down the essentials of effective interventions in education. Together, they explore the difference between interventions, accommodations, and modifications, outline the key components of successful intervention strategies, and discuss how progress monitoring and fidelity can transform student outcomes. Perfect for educators looking to incorporate evidence-based practices into their daily routines.