and… who’s the author?

You’d think that at this stage of my life I wouldn’t still be learning anything new about stories. I started as an English teacher, after all…. But it seems that everywhere I turn, the universe is expanding my understanding of personal narratives and how they impact lives — your life as a teacher, the lives of your students, and yes, their families.

The title of this blog was the slogan used by disability rights activists in the 1990s who wanted a say in their services.

According to Google, the phrase has its roots way back in European unrest in the 1500s, but America shouted the same message from the rooftops during the American Revolution with “No Taxation Without Representation!”

So it has become an American tradition.

Can I speak openly? I think that the co-teaching structure One Teach/One Support has gotten a bad rap. Recently a school leader told me she didn’t want her teachers to use it during co-teaching. I think that’s a mistake. It’s a powerful instructional approach, but not when it’s confused with One Teach/One Whisper.

What’s the difference? A lot!

Last week, I was excited to be back in a schoolhouse. It was my first chance since February, 2020 – that’s 20 months!

Sure, during that time I’ve talked with many school leaders and Inclusion Coaches with school settings visible in their backgrounds, but that’s not the same thing.

I felt a rush of gratitude to see teachers in motion – freed from their stationary position in front of a camera.

Why was I there?

When I saw the challenge, “Return to school, but not to normal,” on social media today, I started pondering how we can create an amazing experience for special needs families.

So much has changed in the 18 months since the pandemic forced school closures across the country. What has happened to them? What do they need now? What would be better than “normal”?

Do you know what I’m asking here? Have you ever set a goal for yourself or taken on a particularly challenging project and felt that what was at stake was much more important than the goal?

I was listening to a podcast by Jordan Peterson yesterday in which he mentioned this ironic phenomenon, and I can’t stop thinking about it. The more I ponder, the more possibilities I see for our work as teachers, parents, and human beings who want to keep growing.

We are at a pivotal moment in the world. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act  was signed into law on March 11, 2021. It will distribute $123 billion in additional educational funding between now and 2023 for implementation of Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA). In addition, the ARP includes another $3 billion for additional support through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA).

That’s a LOT of funding!!

I haven’t written a newsblog in nearly two months. I’ve been focused on my BIG new project. I’m tickled pink that it launched on May 12, 2021!

I’m so excited to announce that the Included by Design Mastermind Website has been published!

Let me begin by saying that teachers are my heroes (in case you didn’t already know that). Over the last year, they have repeatedly demonstrated their resilience, tenacity, and determination.