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