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In this episode of the Teacher Shortage Crisis Podcast, a transitional kindergarten teacher, Elise Dorflinger, shares her unique insights as both a general education teacher and the mother of an autistic child. Elise describes the painstaking process of securing an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for her son, highlighting systemic inadequacies in special education support. The discussion addresses the overwhelming struggles faced by teachers, the lack of proper resources and training, and the significant impact on students with disabilities. Elise's story sheds light on the broader issue of educational inequity and emphasizes the urgent need for systemic change.

00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions
00:49 Meet Elise Dorflinger: A Veteran Teacher's Perspective
03:48 The Challenges of Special Education
05:21 The Fight for Support and Resources
09:11 Systemic Issues in Special Education
13:10 Possible Solutions and Call to Action
22:55 Navigating Special Education Services
23:50 Investigating the Teacher Shortage
24:20 Challenges in Special Education Reporting
25:01 Personal Struggles with the System
26:35 Fighting for Support and Services
28:17 Systemic Inequities and Advocacy
34:33 The Importance of Early Intervention
37:28 The Emotional Toll on Educators
40:08 Resources and Recommendations
44:05 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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In this episode of the Teacher Shortage Crisis Podcast, co-host Trina welcomes Manuwella ("Mani") Allen, a former special education teacher with over 20 years of experience, to discuss the unique challenges and insights of the special education field. Recorded just before the 2024 school year, Manny shares her profound experiences and the struggles she faced while working with students of varying disabilities in a moderate to severe special day class.

The conversation covers the complexities of balancing the needs of medically fragile, emotionally disturbed, and intellectually disabled students in one classroom. Mani recounts the physical, emotional, and spiritual tolls of the job, emphasizing the burnout that comes from always prioritizing students' needs over administrative and systemic demands.

Key topics include the burdensome and often superficial IEP (Individualized Education Program) processes, inadequate support and training for paraprofessionals, and the systemic flaws in how special education is managed and executed in schools. Mani also touches on the challenges new special education teachers face, the administrative pressures to downplay students' needs, and the emotional resilience required to continue advocating for students in a broken system.

Mani's story is both inspiring and sobering, shedding light on the critical yet often under-appreciated role of special education teachers. She offers advice for parents navigating the IEP process and stresses the importance of finding supportive connections within the educational community.

The episode concludes with a call to action for educators, parents, and policymakers to recognize and address the dire state of special education to support these essential educators and their students better.

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In this episode, Trina English takes listeners on a dive deep into the complexities and challenges faced by special education within the K-12 education system, particularly in the context of the national teacher shortage crisis. This discussion highlights the multifaceted issues causing a significant shortage of highly qualified special education (SPED) teachers, the bureaucratic hurdles, and the ethical dilemmas involved.

Key Points:

1. Scope of the Issue: Special education's crucial role and how its dysfunction affects everyone.
2. Factors Contributing to Shortage: Discusses low pay, credentialing requirements, and lack of teacher autonomy.
3. Perverted Terms: The misuse of key educational terms to reduce the need for special education services.
4. Civil Rights History: Acknowledging the historical civil rights challenges that led to the current laws.
5. Roles and Responsibilities: Detailed look into the overwhelming roles of SPED teachers and the extensive legal and administrative challenges they face, including IEP meetings and assessment processes.
6. Emotional and Ethical Impact: The burnout and ethical compromises faced by SPED teachers in their attempts to support students.
7. Legal and Administrative Barriers: Explanation of the convoluted process for getting a child assessed and the intentional bureaucratic delays.
8. Classifications of Disabilities: Overview of categories within special education and the corresponding services.
9. Future Discussions: Previews in-depth conversations with veteran SPED teachers for nuanced insights.

This episode sets the stage for an ongoing, honest discourse about the shortcomings in special education and the systemic changes needed to address them.

00:00 Introduction to the Special Education Crisis
00:45 Understanding the SPED Teacher Shortage
02:00 Misuse of Educational Terms
03:11 The Role and Challenges of SPED Teachers
06:54 Legal and Bureaucratic Hurdles
15:19 Historical Context of Special Education
25:30 Categories and Services in Special Education
31:04 Mainstreaming and Inclusion Controversies

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In this episode, hosts Amanda Werner and Trina English discuss the complexities of special education, exploring its oppressive nature and the civil rights journey that has shaped it. They delve into various terms and acronyms such as IEP (Individualized Education Plans), 504 Plans, and disabilities categories including Intellectual Disability, Emotional Disturbance, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Amanda shares her first-hand experience being an intervention teacher and subbing in special day classes. They underline the systemic issues like teacher shortages, the lack of nuanced care, and the correlation between special education and broader educational problems. The conversation also touches on the importance of relationship building in intervention, and the need for supporting neurodivergent students more effectively.

00:00 Introduction to Special Education

00:24 Unpacking Special Education Terms

01:27 Categories of Disabilities

02:41 Intellectual Disability Explained

05:19 Emotional Disturbance and Special Day Classes

06:02 Personal Experiences with Special Day Classes

14:31 Autism Spectrum Disorder and Misdiagnosis

18:55 Challenges in Identifying and Supporting Neurodivergent Students

20:36 Specific Learning Disabilities and Accommodations

26:58 ADHD and Overlapping Diagnoses

30:45 Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

31:40 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and RTI

32:57 Understanding Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

33:20 Introduction to RTI and Tiered Interventions

33:51 Behavioral Interventions and Tier 3 Supports

34:52 General Education and Special Education Collaboration

36:18 Implementing Tier 2 Interventions

38:30 Challenges in Special Education

42:10 The Role of Intervention Teachers

52:12 Least Restrictive Environment and Full Inclusion

01:00:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of the Teacher Shortage Crisis Podcast, the hosts welcome Janice Cook, a veteran teacher from New England. They delve into the critical issues surrounding teacher pay and the hardships teachers face trying to make a living in this profession. Janice shares her personal journey, discussing the difficult choices she made due to insufficient salaries, taxes, high, cost of living, and excessive bureaucratic hurdles. They explore the idea of forming a national professional teacher association with innovative teachers leading the way. Throughout, they highlight the disconnect between different stakeholders in education and the need for systemic reforms.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:30 Guest Background: Meet Janice

01:42 Teacher Pay in New England

02:36 The Reality of Teacher Salaries

04:16 Challenges and Decisions

11:26 Certification and Relocation

15:34 Navigating the Salary Schedule

23:47 Certification Hurdles

29:05 Navigating Professional Development Credits

30:07 Challenges of Staying in the Teaching Profession

31:37 Teacher Evaluation Process

32:15 Tenure and Job Security Issues

34:56 Side Hustles and Leaving Public Education

43:24 The Petition for National Teacher Pool

45:37 Systemic Issues in Education

58:25 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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The Realities of Teaching: Reflections on SNL's 'Y'all Won'

In this episode of the The Teacher Shortage Crisis podcast, Amanda ,Trina English and Jessica Martin, react to the recent 'Saturday Night Live' sketch 'Y'all Won.' The conversation delves into the current state of K-12 public education, exploring the challenges teachers face, including behavior management, systemic issues within school districts, and the impact of COVID-19 on student behavior. They also highlight the need for structural changes, increased collaboration, and teacher leadership to address these pressing issues. The episode calls for solidarity among educators and the sharing of personal stories to push for change in the education system.

00:53 Reacting to SNL's 'Y'all Won' Sketch

03:14 Challenges in Modern Education

03:52 Behavioral Issues in Schools

06:53 Impact of COVID on Student Behavior

12:03 Administrative Responses to Behavioral Problems

14:11 Teachers as Behavior Managers

17:07 Systemic Issues in Education

21:02 Call to Action for Teachers

22:32 National Standards and Teacher Preparation

23:22 Emotional Reflections on Student Progress

24:35 Challenges and Emotional Struggles in Teaching

24:56 End of School Year Reflections

25:54 Systemic Issues in Education Leadership

28:49 The Role of Teacher Leaders

34:38 Evaluation and Complacency in Teaching

37:53 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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In this episode, we are joined once again by Janet Nasir, who shares her insightful experiences and reactions to Kareem Weaver's impactful film, "The Right to Read." The discussion opens with a heartfelt acknowledgment of Janet’s admirable work and dedication to the field of education.

The conversation dives into the critical themes of the documentary, exploring the longstanding issue of literacy in America. Janet and the hosts discuss the inadequate preparation provided to teachers, the flaws in current curriculums, and the significant shifts occurring, particularly with the Science of Reading movement. Janet shares her district's efforts involving science of reading training and its impacts.

Particularly poignant moments from the film are analyzed, such as the transformation of students under effective literacy instruction and the challenges faced by families moving between states with varying educational standards. The inefficacy of curriculums and the evolving steps taken by districts to align with scientifically based reading instruction are discussed in depth.

The hosts and guests highlight the role of social justice in literacy, touching on the historical context and systemic issues that continue to affect educational equity. They critically analyze the influence of commercial interests in educational materials, including the controversial stance of figures like Lucy Calkins.

Finally, the episode concludes with reflections on the broader implications for the education system and the crucial need for comprehensive teacher-led reforms. The necessity of quality early reading education, the misuse of technology in reading instruction, and the pursuit of genuine educational equity through informed and courageous action are reiterated as key takeaways.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
03:14 Initial Reactions to 'The Right to Read'
04:57 Personal Reflections and Experiences
08:34 Challenges in Literacy Education
13:46 Parental Involvement and Early Literacy
23:19 Systemic Issues in Education
39:36 Reflecting on the Documentary's Relevance Today
40:20 Curriculum and Phonics Instruction'
42:28 Challenges in Implementing New Programs
44:23 The Importance of Foundational Skills
48:12 Assessment Data and Its Reliability
58:44 The Role of Teachers and Structural Issues
01:03:00 Social Justice and Literacy
01:07:10 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Topics/Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
The Right to Read Documentary (free to watch with ads)

Scarborough's Rope

Interview with Janet Nasir

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