New Schools Summit 2022

Wednesday, I was in a Q&A today with superintendents from Aldine ISD, Laramie ISD in Wyoming, Hawaii and New Mexico to listen and learn about insights and innovations that emerged for students with learning with disabilities in public schools when the pandemic brought schooling in physical buildings to a halt.

My intention for engaging in the Q& A today and tomorrow is to grab hold of new innovations in special education, where ever they are popping up, and bring all the energy and power that I can to supporting their longevity in public schools.

Admittedly these lessons are still being learned; hindsight is not yet behind us. Nonetheless, one take away from today is that innovation in disability inclusion in public schools is undoubtedly a grassroots, collective effort to develop and bring ideas from lived experience to the "table," get them funded and get them implemented where ever they are needed, locally, even if that means at one particular campus or even in one particular classroom. Superintendents do not have all of the capacity it takes, whether in the form of ideas, relationships, or time to roll out all that is needed to take care of our children. It is a collaborative effort.

This month I am hoping to organize volunteers from our cohort and other groups to help me "spotlight" small glimpses of best practices in schools, classrooms, community centers that need exposure and case study.

There are growing numbers of opportunities to have great ideas funded in the special education space and create a tipping point of elevated best practices that help grab district level focus and funding in public schools. Kaleidoscope Collaborative: Best Practices in Inclusive Lesson Design.
https://lnkd.in/gARJjdZP

Ready for Day 2 tomorrow. Signing off for mom duty for now.