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Think Inclusive

Ryan Wilson | Team Trust

Season 10, Ep. 19

For this episode, I speak with Ryan Wilson, the director of Team Trust Productions. Ryan created Team Trust to help mission-driven organizations reach and serve their communications. He wants to help connect people with the entities, organizations and resources they deserve to grow and flourish. Ryan’s heart is advocating for persons with disabilities, because he is one. Ryan has befriended persons with the same disability as his (Osteogenesis Imperfecta), and established life-long relationships with persons with visual impairments, hearing impairments, cognitive disabilities and mental illnesses. Each one of these relationships changed his life.   


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Otter.ai Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/Upr-Nwv5MGzuBu_HNMWlmkaRMGo


PDF Transcript: https://3bd6e695-b492-4878-afa9-f79d8b09e0c4.usrfiles.com/ugd/3bd6e6_1f3eabbdc10a41ef91270b7847d98415.pdf


Show Notes: https://bit.ly/TI-Ryan-Wilson


Cover Art Image Description: black background; think inclusive logo in the top left; rainbow-colored waves overlayed with the headshot of Ryan Wilson; text reads: Ryan Wilson, Team Trust; MCIE logo in the bottom right


Credits


Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas and is produced by MCIE.


Original music by Miles Kredich.


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    49:28||Season 12, Ep. 13
    About the Guest(s):Alex Shevrin Venet: Alex is an educator, consultant, and author known for her work in trauma-informed and equity-centered education. She has authored "Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education" and "Becoming an Everyday Change Maker." With a background in therapeutic school settings, Alex now focuses on teacher development, school consulting, and writing. She is dedicated to empowering educators to create inclusive and equitable learning environments.Episode Summary:In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, host Tim Villegas welcomes Alex Shevrin Venet to discuss pressing issues in education surrounding inclusive and trauma-informed practices. Tim and Alex delve into the ramifications of exclusionary classroom settings, the role of educators as change makers, and the imperative to place equity at the center of educational approaches. This engaging conversation provides valuable insights for educators seeking to foster inclusive environments.Throughout the discussion, Alex shares her experiences and insights about the challenges and opportunities within the education system. They highlight the systemic issues stemming from segregated special education settings and how educators can empower themselves to become everyday change makers. Alex emphasizes the importance of stepping into one's role within the educational system, acknowledging individual strengths and areas for influence while advocating for systemic change. Her discussion on trauma-informed education suggests a shift away from behaviorism to a more holistic and equity-centered approach.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/F4rhCJCaeQUg8FBAo0DUMy7FlBgKey Takeaways:Becoming a Change Maker: Educators can create change within their spheres of influence, starting small and building momentum for inclusive education.Equity-Centered Approaches: Alex emphasizes the need to integrate equity into trauma-informed educational practices.Challenges of Behaviorism: The systemic reliance on behaviorist approaches needs reevaluation, with a focus on empowering students rather than just managing behavior.Building Inclusive Communities: Segregated systems often prevent authentic community building; all students benefit when differences are embraced.Strategic Change Advocacy: In politically charged environments, educators need to be strategic about advocating for equity and inclusive practices.Resources:What about the other kids in the room? https://www.unconditionallearning.org/blog/the-other-kids-in-the-roomUnconditional Learning: https://www.unconditionallearning.org/Donate to MCIE: https://bit.ly/MCIE-DonateThank you to our sponsor, IXL: https://www.ixl.com/inclusive
  • Inclusion Stories ~ Chapter One: It Is a Long Story

    41:23||Season 12
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  • 12. Sonic Rebels: How Reynols Shatters Stereotypes with Every Note

    41:45||Season 12, Ep. 12
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  • 11. Exploring Virtual Education's Potential for Inclusive Learning Environments

    45:11||Season 12, Ep. 11
    About the Guest(s):Alexis Thomason is an accomplished virtual art instructor at the Pearson Georgia Connections Academy. She has a robust background in teaching, having spent 25 years in various educational roles. Initially starting her career in middle school education with certifications in K-12 art and language arts for grades 4 through 8, Alexis transitioned to the virtual teaching sphere following her enriching experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is known for her dedication to fostering an inclusive and engaging educational environment that benefits all learners, including those with disabilities.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, host Tim Villegas explores the realm of virtual education alongside guest Alexis Thomason from the Georgia Connections Academy. This episode dives deep into the possibilities and challenges of providing inclusive education in an entirely virtual setup. With the rapid transition to online schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic, many educators faced the challenge of adapting their teaching methods. Alexis shares her journey from traditional classroom teaching to becoming a virtual art educator and discusses how online education can be a viable and inclusive option for students, especially those with disabilities.As virtual education becomes a more prominent fixture in the educational landscape, Alexis outlines how Pearson Georgia Connections Academy operates as a tuition-free online public school, serving K-12 students. Emphasizing flexible learning and accessibility, Alexis explains how virtual schooling can uniquely support learners with disabilities, allowing for personalized and differentiated instruction. With insights on how virtual environments foster self-driven learning and teaching, Alexis provides a compelling case for educators and parents to consider virtual schooling as a potential avenue for their educational needs.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/12q3Th8cahLWUnBULlKfYnN34soKey Takeaways:Virtual education can be an inclusive and accommodating environment for students, including those with disabilities, by offering personalized learning options.Pearson Georgia Connections Academy provides a flexible, 100% online schooling option that caters to K-12 students across multiple states.Differentiation in teaching methods is crucial in a virtual setting to cater to diverse learning styles and needs, helping ensure that each student receives the appropriate support.The transition to virtual education offers flexibility not just for students but for educators too, allowing them to find a teaching style that suits their personal needs and professional goals.Students can thrive in a virtual learning environment by receiving individualized support and having access to recorded lessons and flexible learning schedules.Resources:Pearson Connections Academy: https://www.connectionsacademy.com/Thank you to our sponsor, IXL! Learn more: https://www.ixl.com/inclusive
  • 10. Breaking Down Myths: The True Cost of Inclusive Education

    01:05:33||Season 12, Ep. 10
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  • 9. Unlocking Inclusive Education: Master Scheduling with Natural Proportions

    58:50||Season 12, Ep. 9
    About the Guest(s):Brittni Sammons is a Professional Learning Coordinator with the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE), bringing a wealth of experience from her past roles as a special educator, assistant principal, and inclusive education facilitator. Before joining MCIE, she served the Calvert County Public Schools, where she played a pivotal role in partnership with MCIE to further inclusive practices. Later, she became a supervisor of instructional performance, focusing on culturally responsive instruction. Brittany’s dedication is driven by a belief in every student's need to develop a sense of belonging within inclusive educational communities.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode of Think Inclusive, Tim Villegas, joined by his colleague Brittni Sammons, delves into one of the most frequently asked questions in inclusive education: scheduling. The podcast promises a practical exploration of how inclusive education can function effectively within the framework of school scheduling, emphasizing the concept of "natural proportions."The conversation unravels common misconceptions about inclusion, such as the over-reliance on "co-taught" classrooms. Brittni and Tim advocate for spreading resources evenly across classrooms, ensuring students with disabilities are included naturally within the school community. They highlight the importance of understanding students’ strengths, services, and the supports needed, discussing strategies like "targeted" co-teaching which allow for dynamic support based on evolving needs. This detailed exploration aims to dispel myths and demonstrate a more efficient, community-integrated model for special education.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/Xd3227PaT2hlVORApnZR56ghv5E?utm_source=copy_urlKey Takeaways:The principle of "natural proportions" ensures students with disabilities are naturally included in classrooms based on the proportion of students with disabilities in the general population.Effective inclusive education requires strategic and collaborative planning among general and special educators to meet individual student needs.Different models like "co-targeted" and "consultative" relationships offer flexible, collaborative ways to deliver special education services without relying solely on co-taught classrooms.Educators can adapt the inclusion model through phases—grouping students, assigning support roles, and building master schedules tailored to the school’s needs.Reflective practices and adaptive measures can lead to more significant educational advances and a stronger sense of community belonging for students.Resources:MCIE: https://mcie.org/resources/Lou Brown on Natural Proportions: https://youtu.be/Cq5TiGbWAK0?si=JPzYoY5us1SXJTzBThank you to our sponsor, IXL. Learn more: https://ixl.com/inclusive
  • 8. Embracing the Complexity of Inclusive Education with Aaron Lanou

    01:04:34||Season 12, Ep. 8
    About the Guest(s):Aaron Lanou (he/him) is an educational consultant supporting schools and organizations to reach all kids with inclusive, strengths-based practices. Through the lens of Universal Design for Learning, Aaron coaches teachers and others to teach and support autistic students and all kids with a variety of academic, executive functioning, and social support needs. A member of Carol Gray’s Team Social Stories, Aaron also provides Social Stories workshops and collaborates with Carol and the team to continually update and refine the Social Stories philosophy and approach. Aaron was previously a special education teacher in the New York City Public Schools and Executive Director of the Nest Program at NYU, helping to lead the nation’s largest inclusion program for autistic students.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas sits down with inclusive education consultant Aaron Lanou from New York. They dive deep into the current landscape of inclusive education and the challenges faced by educators striving for more inclusive practices in schools. Aaron shares his insights on the necessary methods, mindsets, and structures that need to be in place to truly integrate inclusive practices in educational settings. With over 20 years in the field, his perspective offers a blend of practical advice and philosophical reflections on the state of education.Tim and Aaron also tackle some of the misconceptions surrounding inclusion, such as the belief that it's solely about placing students with disabilities into general education classrooms. They advocate for a more nuanced approach that emphasizes providing the necessary supports to allow every student to succeed. Celebrating the success stories and dissecting the persistent barriers, they urge educators to remain steadfast in their commitment to inclusive education, drawing on resources, supports, and community to fuel the journey towards more inclusive practices. This episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable strategies for educators and advocates at every level.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/cMJupjKF1K5R5_Xv6F8M4SX8SBgKey Takeaways:Inclusive Education is Not Just Physical Inclusion: It requires supporting diverse needs with appropriate resources and training.Mindset Matters: Mindset, method, and structure are the three pillars of successful inclusive education—known as "The M&Ms."Barriers for Teachers Exist: Educators face obstacles in mindset shifts, lack of resources, and structural constraints.Resourcefulness is Key: Teachers are encouraged to find creative solutions in advocacy and classroom practice.Interdependence and Collaboration: Seeking supportive networks and resources is crucial for educators working in less inclusive environmentResources:Aaron Lanou: https://www.aaronlanou.com/Papi Por Que: https://papi-porque.com/Thank you to our sponsor, IXL! Learn more: MCIE: https://www.mcie.org
  • 7. Busting Math Myths with UDL: Making Math Accessible for All

    50:27||Season 12, Ep. 7
    About the Guest(s):Jenna Rufo is an inclusive education consultant and the founder and CEO of EmpowerED School Solutions. She has worked with state departments of education, disability rights organizations, and school systems across the United States and Australia to create more equitable and inclusive special education programs. She spent nearly 20 years in public education as an assistant superintendent, special education director, and teacher, where she advocated for students with disabilities to receive services in inclusive settings.Ron Martiello is a learning coach in Montgomery County, PA. He has served as a 1st grade teacher, an elementary assistant principal, and an elementary principal. In 2018, Ron became a learning coach to support teachers in the areas of technology and math.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode, host Tim Villegas converses with Jenna Rufo and Ron Martiello about their book "Conquering Math Myths with Universal Design." The discussion opens with shared personal stories about early math experiences, growing into a broader dialogue about the persistent myths surrounding math education. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on how universal design for learning (UDL) principles can reshape the learning experience and dismantle long-held barriers in mathematics education.As the conversation unfolds, Jenna and Ron delve into the specifics of their book. They emphasize the necessity of integrating UDL to foster an inclusive and engaging math classroom environment. Key topics include the myth of answer-getting, the fallacy of prerequisite skills, and how these misconceptions hinder the learning process. By addressing these issues, the guests assert that educators can uplift students who are often left behind in traditional math settings, hence promoting equity and excellence simultaneously.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/ZviVGZjEdxglJVPj5GSvF55FnWIKey Takeaways:Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can help debunk myths about mathematics by creating multiple entry points for diverse learners.The idea that quick answer-getting equates to math proficiency is a myth; success in math involves understanding processes and reasoning.Focusing solely on prerequisite skills can hinder students' exposure to more advanced mathematical concepts.Collaborating across disciplines and educational roles can enhance instructional design and ensure more inclusive educational practices.By utilizing UDL, educators can develop teaching strategies that accommodate the needs of all students, thereby ensuring equitable access to mathematics education.Resources:Conquering Math Myths with Universal Design: An Inclusive Instructional Approach for Grades K–8: https://ascd.org/books/conquering-math-myths-with-universal-designEmpowerEd School Solutions: https://www.empoweredschool.org/Ron Martiello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronmartiello/Thanks to our sponsor, IXL! https://ixl.com/inclusiveMCIE: https://mcie.org
  • 6. Exploring AI's Role in Streamlining IEP Development for Educators

    51:56||Season 12, Ep. 6
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