156: When We Focus on the Needs of Our Students, We Focus on Success

Summary

In this episode, Matt Rogers discusses his career in education, with a focus on special education. He shares his passion for working with students with special needs and the challenges and rewards of teaching in special education classrooms. Matt emphasizes the importance of collaboration and stakeholder involvement in supporting students with special needs to be included in regular education classrooms. He also discusses the benefits of inclusion for all students and the role of empathy in education. Matt shares his experiences as an advocate for students with special needs and provides insights into the work of the California Collaborative for Education Excellence.

Takeaways

• Collaboration and stakeholder involvement are crucial for supporting students with special needs to be included in regular education classrooms.

• Inclusion benefits all students by fostering empathy, developing soft skills, and creating a sense of belonging.

• Approaching education with empathy and understanding is essential for building positive relationships with students and their families.

• Teachers should constantly seek to innovate and adapt their teaching strategies to meet the diverse needs of their students.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:35 Passion for Special Education

06:17 Understanding Special Education Classrooms

11:36 Strategies for Inclusion

14:18 Importance of Collaboration and Stakeholder Involvement

15:23 Benefits of Inclusion for All Students

18:50 Challenges of Advocacy in Special Education

25:25 Importance of Empathy and Understanding

27:08 The Power of Collaboration and Breaking Stereotypes

30:42 Creating Collaborative Opportunities for Teachers

33:28 Balancing Advocacy and Legal Requirements in Special Education

39:32 Approaching Education with Empathy

43:34 Role of California Collaborative for Education Excellence

47:17 Working with Upper-Level Administrators to Improve Education Systems

49:39 Making a Difference in Students' Lives

52:15 The Importance of Collaboration and Systems in Education

53:41 Exit Ticket: Best Thing a Teacher Can Do

55:45 Exit Ticket: Best Piece of Advice Received

57:24 Exit Ticket: Message for Educators in Moments of Struggle

01:00:30 Exit Ticket: Overcoming Resistance to Change

01:08:36 Exit Ticket: Seeking Innovation and Change

01:09:30 Continuing to Follow Matt Rogers' Work

Website: ccee-ca.org

Twitter: @MatthewNavo

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