These Educators Are Changing How We Support ALL Learners This February
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
02/01/26
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This February, join @schoolutionspodcast as it highlights educators and researchers advancing child support.
šÆ What You'll Learn:
ā¢ How to navigate IEPs, 504s, and disability services with confidence
ā¢ The shocking research behind foundational writing skills that transforms student success
ā¢ A neurodivergent educator's journey supporting thriving students in inclusive classrooms
ā¢ The alarming trend: NYC pediatricians diagnosing kindergartners with play-deprivation-induced anxiety and depression
ā¢ A bold 6-point proposal to save early childhood education in public schools
Featured Experts:
š«Stacey Shubitz bridges the home-school connection for families navigating special education.
š«Melanie Meehan and Maggie Beattie Roberts share critical research on instructional strategies for foundational writing skills.
š«Dr. Courtney Bishop reveals her path as a neurodivergent mom and educator championing equity in education.
š«Dr. Beverly Falk and Dr. Nancy Cardwell from City College expose an education crisis and present their solution to NYC leadership.
Whether you're focused on classroom belonging, student motivation, culturally responsive teaching, or education transformation, these conversations offer effective teaching strategies for the whole child. Perfect for teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, teacher mentors, instructional leaders, and school counselors committed to inspired teaching and empowered educators.
š Subscribe for education strategies that prioritize pro-kid mindset, inclusive teaching, and student participation! https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction: February's Education Revolution
0:15 Stacey Shubitz: Bridging Home & School for IEPs and 504s
0:30 Melanie Meehan & Maggie Beattie Roberts: Foundational Writing Research
0:45 Dr. Courtney Bishop: Neurodivergent Mom & Educator's Journey
1:00 Dr. Beverly Falk & Dr. Nancy Cardwell: NYC's Play Deprivation Crisis
1:30 The 6-Point Proposal to Save Early Childhood Education
1:50 Join the Conversations This February
CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
š Like if you're ready for education transformation
š¬ Comment: Which guest are you most excited to hear?
š Subscribe for weekly teaching tips and instructional strategies
š± Share Wednesday reels with your teaching team
Join me in creating thriving students through classroom belonging, student engagement, and inspired teaching. Let's make 2026 a year of teacher impact and school change!
#EducationPodcast #SpecialEducation #IEP #StudentEngagement #InclusiveTeaching #EquityInEducation #TeacherCoaching #ProfessionalDevelopment #SchoolLeadership #ParentInvolvement #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #WholeChild #EarlyChildhoodEducation #PlayBasedLearning #NeurodivergentStudents #TeachingStrategies #EducationReform #TeacherSupport #InstructionalCoaching #FamilyPartnerships #ProKidMindset #EmpoweredEducators #InspiredTeaching #EducationTransformation #ThrivingStudents #ClassroomBelonging #StudentSuccess #SchoolCulture #InstructionalLeadership #HomeSchoolConnection
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
Why ALL Kindergarteners NEED a Writers Playshop
January 30
ā¢29m
Welcome back to Part Two of my S5E22 @schoolutionspodcast conversation with Katie Keier. This episode builds on the foundation from Part One, exploring Katie's unique classroom strategies. We dive into her innovative teaching techniques, including why she creates classrooms that foster belonging and student engagement through choice, materials, and the honoring of every child's story. Katie shares powerful examples of student participation and student motivation, including kindergartners who became environmental advocates and petitioned their school to go plastic-free.
Key Topics:
ā¢ Teaching with integrity vs. teaching with fidelity
ā¢ Equity in education and inclusive teaching practices
ā¢ Student engagement through play-based learning and active learning
ā¢ Culturally responsive teaching that honors family partnerships
ā¢ Professional development for teachers navigating scripted curricula
ā¢ Instructional strategies that support the whole child
ā¢ Parent communication and home-school connection
ā¢ Documentation and assessment in inclusive classrooms
ā¢ Student success through student-centered learning
ā¢ Teacher coaching and mentor teachers supporting new teachers
š«Check out Part One
Researchers & Educators Mentioned:
ā”ļøVivian Gussin Paley
ā”ļøKatie Kelly (author of From Empathy to Action)
Books & Publications:
ā”ļøKitchen Dance by Maurie Manning (Katie's go-to picture book for modeling)
Pedagogical Approaches & Organizations:
ā”ļøReggio Emilia Approach
ā”ļøThe Hundred Languages in Ministories (Reggio Emilia concept)
ā”ļøKennedy Center's CETA (Changing Education Through the Arts) Program
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Welcome to Part 2
1:00 - Play, Equity, and Access in Writers Playshop
3:00 - Honoring Every Child's Story
5:00 - What to Watch and Listen For
7:00 - Documentation Without Losing Presence
9:00 - Navigating Required Curricula
11:00 - Fidelity vs. Integrity ā
13:00 - Celebrating Children's Work
15:00 - Arts Integration and the Hundred Languages
17:00 - Building Beloved Community Through Story
18:00 - Kindergartners as Environmental Advocates
21:00 - Must-Read Picture Book: Kitchen Dance
23:00 - The Bear Story (Katie's Running Journey)
25:00 - Children Are Our Hope
26:00 - Closing Reflections
š§ New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content.
š§ Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com
šµ Music: Benjamin Wahl
Next Week: I'm sitting down with Stacey Shubitz to talk about her groundbreaking new book for families navigating IEPs, 504 plans, and disability services.
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities
February 2
ā¢21m
Part One of my S5E23 @schoolutionspodcast conversation, literacy specialist and parent Stacey Shubitz shares her dual perspective on navigating special education. If you've ever felt lost in IEP meetings or unsure how to advocate for your child, this episode is your roadmap.
Stacey, author of Make the School System Work for Your Child With Disabilities, reveals why leading with your child's strengthsānot deficitsāchanges everything. She breaks down the difference between IEPs and 504 plans, shares the exact phrases to use when schools push back on accommodations, and explains why evaluations are actually keys to unlocking easier learning paths for your child.
Whether you're a teacher wanting to better support families, a parent feeling overwhelmed by the system, or an administrator seeking to improve parent communication and family partnerships, you'll walk away with practical strategies you can use tomorrow.
Key Topics Covered:
- Special education vs. general education: understanding the difference
- IEPs vs. 504 plans explained clearly
- Leading with strengths in the evaluation process
- Effective teaching strategies for inclusive classrooms
- Parent involvement and home-school connection best practices
- Professional development for supporting students with disabilities
- Culturally responsive teaching and equity in education
- Student engagement and classroom belonging for all learners
- Teacher support and instructional coaching insights
- Self-care for caregivers navigating the special education system
Get in touch with Stacey:
š Get Stacey's book: PROMO CODE EMJAN1533 for 15% off ***promotion expires February 21, 2026
Some Episode Mentions:
ā”ļøEmily Ladau
ā”ļøOwn Voices Movement
Chapters
0:00 Introduction: Navigating Special Education with Confidence
1:00 Meet Stacey Shubitz: Educator and Parent Perspective
3:00 The Book That Changes Everything
4:00 Learning from Own Voices in Disability
6:00 Two Hats: Educator and Parent
7:00 Special Education vs. General Education Explained
9:00 IEPs vs. 504 Plans: The Difference That Matters
10:00 Reframing Evaluations: Unlocking Your Child's Brain
12:00 Leading with Strengths, Not Deficits
14:00 Navigating Communication Breakdowns
16:00 Your Go-To Resource Guide
17:00 Lightning Round: IEP Meeting Essentials
17:15 When to Request IEP Revisions
17:45 The One Document to Keep on Your Phone
18:15 Phrases for Advocating for Accommodations
18:45 Biggest Myth About Special Education
19:15 Self-Care for Parents: The Power of Meditation
20:00 Coming Up in Part 2: Life Beyond School
š§ New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content.
š§ Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com
šµ Music: Benjamin Wahl
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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