Featuring: Natalie Doyle, Katie Madigan, & Shonda Ronen

This is the first episode in a three-part series on inclusion and leadership. This series will cover topics such as: getting started in inclusion, maintaining staff-inclusive beliefs, and how to keep the inclusive culture thriving in schools when changes occur. This first episode will focus on getting started in inclusion, with insights from professionals in positions of leadership in the early childhood field.

Resources: STAR NET, Early CHOICES, CARA’s Kit

Featuring: Kathy Slattery, Megan Carlson, and Nikki Norman

In this episode our conversation is on the topic of Selective Mutism. There is a wide range of information in this podcast about Selective Mutism as our guests share stories of their journeys learning about SM as professionals and family members. Below is a list of resources discussed in the podcast and on the topic.

Resources

Welcome back to the STAR NET Regions I & III Podcast. I’m Bridget Meis, an Early Childhood Special Education Professional Development Specialist. Joining me today is Kristy Doan from the Illinois State Board of Education. Today, we are going to talk about what the itinerant model looks like when related service providers embed services into the classroom setting and community based settings.

Resources:

Advancing Preschool Inclusion in Community Based Early Childhood Education Programs

Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs

Dinnebeil, L.A., McInerney, W.F. (2011). A guide to itinerant early childhood special education services. Baltimore, MD: Paul H Brooks Publishing Co

Dinnebeil, L. A., Weber, G., & McInerney, W. F. (2019). The challenges of itinerant early childhood special education: The perspectives of practitioners. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 11(1), 18–30. https:// doi. org/ 10. 20489/intje cse. 583501 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2012.03.001

In this podcast, we will speak with Allyssa Harpist, a teacher for students with visual impairments in the Urbana School District 116, and Hong Phangia Dewald, PhD, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, about strategies that can be implemented for children with visual impairments in inclusive early childhood classrooms.

Resources:

Teaching Students with Visual Impairments

ISVI Opening Doors

Family Connect

Seedlings

Perkins School for the Blind

Paths to Literacy

Hadley

American Foundation for the Blind

Exceptional Teaching Aids

Independent Living Aids

In this episode, we discuss the use of AI in preschool classrooms. We highlight some of the different tools out there, such as Large Language Models (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc) and MagicSchool.ai. We discuss ways to use these tools to support lesson planning, classroom environments, IEP development, BIP development, and writing Social Stories. Take a look at the resources listed below to see examples.

Resources

Beginning of the Year Lesson Plan with Paraeducator Guide

Fire Drill Social Story - Text only

Planning Based on Classroom Picture of Materials

Preschool Teacher Persona Template

AI Can Save Teachers Time and Stress.

In this episode, we will discuss how Tania Swigart, a preschool itinerant teacher from Rantoul City Schools, transitioned into her new role within the district and what her daily interactions are like while pushing into the classroom to support students.

Resource

Resource Guide for Early Childhood Collaborative Itinerant Teaching Model

In this episode, Deb Shirley, Instructional Coach from Adams Early Childhood Center in Lincoln, Illinois, will discuss with us the ways she engages students by making stories come to life through storytelling, puppets, and role-playing.

Dr. Lindsay Meeker and Dr. Kimberly Coy discussed the inspiration and importance of Dr. Coy's new book, "Mia with Dyslexia", which aims to provide a realistic portrayal of dyslexia and promote inclusivity in classrooms. They also discussed the challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia and other disabilities, the importance of learning in different ways, and the significance of children experiencing a range of emotions. The conversation ended with the announcement of the upcoming release of Kimberly's book, "Andy with Autism".

For a copy of Dr. Kimberly Coy's Book, click the link below.
Mia with Dyslexia