SPEDTalk

The SPEDTalk team visits with the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities Executive Director.

How about a college program for Neurodiverse students? The SPEDTalk team travels to San Marcos Texas to the campus of Texas State University home of the Bobcats to discuss this amazing program.

The SPEDTalk team is in San Antonio at the Mermaid Cafe. Listen as they talk with cafe Manager Drew to hear the story of his daughter Leah (the CEO) , her journey with disabilities, and how the Mermaid Cafe came to be. The Mermaid Cafe serves Coffee, and gluten free light bites and sweet treats, and they employ many people with disabilities. The team and Drew discuss it all on this episode of SPEDTalk.

Region Six Education Service Center and Dr Michael Munro host a cooking skills event for students with visual impairments and their teachers. Listen as the SPED talk team interviews kids, parents and teachers about cooking and using kitchen knives.

SPEDTalk visits with the people responsible for brining this Tim Tebow Foundation event to Amarillo. Hear about their experiences, who benefits, and how you could become involved.

In this episode, the SPEDTalk Team visits with Pam Sepulvado who oversees the Speech Language Pathology Masters Degree program hosted by Region 10 ESC. Find out about how they are helping to fill a need and how to get the degree for FREE!

The SPEDTalk team spends some time with its founders Pam and John.

Jen and Myra visit with Memphis ISD. They discuss how TIA has worked for them and how you could help your teachers earn bonus checks of up to $32000 a year.

Speaking to the teams entered in the "race", as well as some of its organizers, the SPEDTalk crew learns about why it exists. As a fundraiser it is definitely unique, and you will hear some fun stories about the participants adventures.

SPEDTalk travels west for a check in with Camp Able on Wild West Sensory Day. In this episode the team interviews a variety of visitors to Camp Able's new home of 83 acres on FM 89 just outside of Abilene.

The SPETalk team gets an amazing opportunity to speak with the Founder and some of the Leaders of To Be Like Me.

SPEDTalk travels to Corpus Christi to check out the Seaside Summit. Listen to find out what people are saying about the event.

Morton ISD is food trucking across the Panhandle. The SPEDTalk team discusses how they got started, what the students are accomplishing, and where they are going.

The SPEDTalk team visits with Dr. Layne Pethick again. In this episode the conversation focuses more on the parenting side.

The SPEDTalk team travels to Lake Belton HS. In this episode they interview the teachers and students behind the coffee shop at Lake Belton HS. Listen as they describe their growth as well as how you could do the same thing at your school.

The SPEDTalk team goes to Wichita Falls and visits the Region 9 Education Service Center. Myra who has a background in Early Childhood Special Education connects with ESC 9 consultant Christi Kelton to discuss all thing Early Childhood Education.

Want to know how to fill your open positions? The SPEDTalk team visits Wichita Falls ISD. They speak with and learn from not only the Executive Director of Special programs, but also the Executive Director of Human Resources. Together they share their innovative solutions to staffing and how it could work for you.

SPEDTalkers Molly and Evan travel to Lake Jackson, TX to learn and talk about an opportunity for people with special needs to be a part of a dance studio.

Abbie Fikes is a college student with Autism. During the interview the SPEDTalk team learns about her journey and her future. They also get to speak with Region 14's Autism Consultant.

The SPEDTalk team travels to Lubbock . In this episode we speak not only about the power of the Cotton Boll Consortium, but also its influence. Two other spin offs are happening in other regions of the state and SPEDTalk chats with their organizers.

The SPEDTalk team talks to Kim Brannan of the Texas Education Agency. They discuss "one site to rule them all" and how this great resource is helping educators save time while getting what they need.

The SPEDTalk team sits down with Dr. Layne Pethick to talk Autism, behavior, and whatever comes up.

Dr Jana Melsheimer shares her story. How did she rise from Special Education resource teacher to Executive Director of the state's second largest Education Service Center? Jana shares how she was rewarded for "growing where you are planted" and "pouring into people."

The SPEDTalk team talks to Anna Mondragon, Director of ESC and Stakeholder Support, Special Populations Systemwide Integration Division, and Dana Garza, Manager on the Strategic Integration team at the Texas Education Agency. They discuss how integration helps things move forward especially related to the new Strategic Integration Liaison initiative.

The SPEDTalk team speaks to the mother of two boys with the "gift of dyslexia." She shares her journey as well as some suggestions for other parents as well.

Lori and Evan go to "rose country" to speak with Tyler Chapel Hill's SPED director. They discuss the value of relationships, taking on a new role, and the support an Education Service Center can provide.

The SPEDTalk team is in the El Paso area speaking with a new SPED director from Fabens ISD.

The SPEDTalk team is in McAllen ISD talking 18 + programming. Also in this episode, they get a parent's and a student's perspective.

PSJA episode "Pathways for Independence"

The SPEDTalk team goes to the Valley to discuss 18+ programming with Pharr San Juan Alamo ISD. They discuss the "Life House", hear success stories and talk about how someone else might start a new program.

Description: In this episode, we hear a mother’s honest story about how she fought and continues to fight for her daughter to have the best educational and life experience.  We are reminded that the power of community is great and how schools who lead with love for their students unleash their potential while providing the tools that parents need to be strong advocates. Barriers can be broken, even cultural barriers are no match for a community who truly cares.  

Descripción: En este episodio, escuchamos la historia honesta de una madre sobre cómo luchó y continúa luchando para que su hija tuviera la mejor experiencia educativa y de vida. Se nos recuerda que el poder de la comunidad es grande y cómo las escuelas que lideran con amor por sus estudiantes liberan su potencial al mismo tiempo que brindan las herramientas que los padres necesitan para ser firmes defensores. Las barreras se pueden romper, incluso las barreras culturales no son rival para una comunidad que realmente se preocupa.

The team talks with Angi Thomas, Consultant Special Education Behavior at Region 14 ESC. The conversation centers around building culture and revisits an earlier episode with Merkel Middle School. Additionally, Angi shares some tips for educators.

The SPEDTalk crew speaks with Garland ISD about its partnership with Project Search.

Team member Molly Savant is not only a certified teacher for Deaf/Hard of Hearing she is also the parent of two Deaf/Hard of Hearing children. The SPEDTalk team talks with Molly about her experiences and struggles as a parent while the interpreter signs in this video episode.

The SPEDTalk crew chats with Merkel Middle School Principal about changing culture, overcoming adversity and a plan to turn the campus around.

In this episode, we dive into the dynamic partnership between Region 16 and Amarillo College, a collaboration reshaping educational opportunities and professional development for aspiring teachers. The episode highlights the innovative initiatives under this participation. Listeners will gain insights about the impact of this alliance on education to aspiring teachers providing a first-hand account of their journey and growth through these opportunities. This podcast is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the future of teaching and the power of educational collaboration.

In this episode the SPEDTalk team hears from Pam and John as they discuss the history of their involvement with the podcast and what is up next in each of their lives.

Emily Robinson, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist at the Texas Education Agency, and Twyla Loftin, DHH Project Lead, discuss educating students who are deaf or hard of hearing with the SPEDTalk crew. Emily will be speaking through an interpreter.