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Charter SELPA

Special Education Local Plan Area

Podcasts

Bright Spots in Education

Bright Spots in Education

Episode 01: Reopening, Learning Loss and English Learners

Welcome to the Bright Spots Podcast, where we give a microphone to content experts and practitioners doing timely and innovative work to support students across the state of California and beyond.

In this episode, Jeremiah and Moises speak with Vanessa Lopez from Imperial County SELPA and administrators from San Diego Global Vision Academy about best practices for supporting English Learners (ELs) with disabilities. They discuss the challenges of reopening schools, addressing learning loss, and implementing strategies to create more inclusive learning environments.
 

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Episode Details

Release Date: April 7, 2021
Topics Covered:
  • Effective strategies for supporting ELs with disabilities
  • Addressing learning loss and post-pandemic educational challenges
  • Promoting equity and inclusion in academic settings

Resources Mentioned

  • Imperial County SELPA | Resources for ELs and Students with Disabilities: Access resources
  • San Diego Global Vision Academy: Visit SDGVA.org
  • California Practitioner’s Guide for Educating English Learners with Disabilities (CDE)
  • San Diego Area Writing Project – Professional development focused on writing, equity, and teacher-led instruction
  • Project GLAD – Research-based strategies for fostering language-rich classrooms
  • SDSU CGI Collaborative – Strengthening mathematical problem-solving and conceptual understanding
  • Imagine Learning – Adaptive literacy programs designed to enhance reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for students in grades PreK–6: Learn More

Episode 02: High School Graduation and Pathways to the Pandemic Workforce

In this episode, Joyce Montgomery from the California Transition Alliance and Rachel De Bruin, Transition Coordinator for Connecting Waters Charter, share valuable insights on high school transition programs. They discuss resources, personal stories, and best practices, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for graduating students in a post-COVID landscape.

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Episode Details

Release Date: July 09, 2021
Topics Covered:
  • Building and sustaining strong high school transition programs
  • Navigating post-pandemic challenges for graduating students
  • Accessing transition resources for educators, parents, and students

Resources Mentioned

 

Episode 03: Educational Leadership: Navigating our New Normal

In this episode, Jeremiah and Moises host a live panel of school leaders from across the state to discuss the importance of building a strong school community, educator self-care, and leveraging technology in today's educational landscape. The conversation also explores COVID-19-related challenges, student achievement, and strategies for navigating the new normal in schools.
As a special bonus, this episode features personal stories from attendees at the El Dorado Charter SELPA Leadership Academy, held in July 2021 in San Diego, California.
 

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Episode Details

Release Date: September 7, 2021
Topics Covered:
  • Building a strong school community and fostering meaningful connections
  • Educator self-care and maintaining well-being in a demanding environment
  • Leveraging technology to enhance learning and engagement
  • Addressing COVID-19-related challenges and supporting student achievement

Episode 04: Educator Self-Care and the Impact of Positive School Culture

In this episode, Troy Beyer and Maria Osbourne share valuable insights on self-care and fostering a healthy school culture. They also provide an in-depth look at Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and the critical role it plays in supporting students across California schools.
 

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• Apple Podcasts – Listen here
• Spotify – Listen here
• Direct Web Link (Blubrry) – Listen here
 

Episode Details

Release Date: December 13, 2021
Topics Covered:
  • The importance of self-care for educators and school staff
  • Strategies for creating a positive and resilient school culture
  • An inside look at Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and its impact on students

Resources Mentioned

 

Episode 05: Embrace What’s Possible

In this special episode, recorded live at the Charter SELPA "Embrace What’s Possible" Symposium in Sacramento, we speak with our keynote speakers:
  • Sparsh Shah – Musician and inspirational speaker
  • Donovan Taylor Hall – Youth advocate and educator
  • Mickey Porter – Leadership coach
We also hear from administrators from Charter SELPA schools, including the Language Academy of Sacramento and iLead Schools, on current best practices in education. They discuss how they are leveraging lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance student outcomes.
 

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• Apple Podcasts – Listen here
• Spotify – Listen here
• Direct Web Link (Blubrry) – Listen here
 

Episode Details

Release Date: March 10, 2022
Topics Covered:
  • Key takeaways from the "Embrace What’s Possible" Symposium
  • Insights from keynote speakers on resilience, leadership, and personal growth
  • Best practices from Charter SELPA schools for improving student outcomes post-pandemic
 

Resources Mentioned

  • Donovan Taylor Hall – Visit website | Follow @donofriend on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok
  • Mickey Porter – Leadership Coaching – Learn more
  • Sparsh Shah – Music & Story – Explore here
  • Language Academy of Sacramento – Visit website
  • iLead Student Services & Supports – Learn more

Episode 06: Leadership through Continuous Improvement

In this episode, recorded live at the annual Charter SELPA Leadership Academy in Sacramento, Jeremiah hosts a panel of education leaders from across California. They discuss new initiatives in their schools, improvement plans for the upcoming year, and key takeaways from the conference.
Later, Jeremiah sits down with Jasmine Vance from System Improvement Leads, a collaborative project between EDCOE, WSGV, and RC SELPAs, to explore the science of school improvement and how schools can prioritize change efforts for maximum impact.
 

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• Apple Podcasts – Listen here
• Spotify – Listen here
• Direct Web Link (Blubrry) – Listen here
 

Episode Details

Release Date: August 3, 2022
Topics Covered:
  • New school initiatives and improvement plans from a statewide panel of education leaders
  • Key takeaways from the Charter SELPA Leadership Academy
  • The science of school improvement and how to drive meaningful change
 

Resources Mentioned

Episode 07: Inclusion: Moving Past Awareness to Action

In this episode, Moises and Jeremiah sit down with Diana Pastora Carson, keynote speaker for the upcoming El Dorado Charter SELPA "A Time to Thrive" Symposium in Sacramento on January 27, 2023. Diana shares practical strategies for advocating for inclusion, how to be a strong ally for individuals with disabilities, and how to shift from inspiration to meaningful action in the fight for equal rights and access.
 

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• Apple Podcasts – Listen here
• Spotify – Listen here
• Direct Web Link (Blubrry) – Listen here
 

Episode Details

Release Date: January 6, 2023
Topics Covered:
  • The importance of inclusion and how to be an effective ally
  • Practical strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities
  • Resources for deepening understanding and driving real change
 

Resources Mentioned

Additional Resources

  • Paula Kluth – Author of various books on inclusion
  • Disability Visibility – Alice Wong
  • Care Work – Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
  • Black Disabled Art History – Leroy Moore
  • The Pretty One – Keah Brown
  • Being Heumann – Judy Heumann
  • Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (Documentary)
  • Phoenix Rising (Documentary series)
  • Think Inclusive with Tim Villegas (Podcast)
 

Episode 08: The Power of Hope

In this special episode, recorded live at the 2024 El Dorado Charter SELPA Inspiration to Action Symposium, Jeremiah explores this year’s theme, The Power of Hope. He sits down with keynote speaker Jennifer Wolfsheimer, a disability rights advocate, and morning speaker Dr. Emad Rahim, a best-selling author and professor.
With hundreds of educators from across California in attendance in San Diego, the event recognized and celebrated outstanding schools and educators for their innovation, dedication, and commitment to creating hope and bright futures for students.
 

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• Apple Podcasts – Listen here
• Spotify – Listen here
• Direct Web Link (Blubrry) – Listen here
 

Episode Details

Release Date: February 22, 2024
Topics Covered:
  • The Power of Hope and its impact on education
  • Key insights from disability rights advocate Jennifer Wolfsheimer
  • Dr. Emad Rahim’s expertise on leadership and resilience
  • Recognizing outstanding schools and educators at the symposium
 

Resources Mentioned

  • Dr. Emad Rahim, PMP, OMCP, A-CSM, CMgr - FCMI
    • Lifecycle Capacity Consultant – Nonprofit Lifecycles Institute
    • Website
    • Inclusive 360 LLC
    • Featured in Huffington Post & Post Standard
  • Jennifer Wolfsheimer, MS, JD

Episode 09: P2P Presents Leadership Through Building Bridges

In this special episode, recorded live at the annual Charter SELPA Leadership Academy in Long Beach, CA, Jeremiah hosts the first-ever collaboration episode with Pathways to Partnership (P2P). He sits down with Aubrie Fulk and the P2P team to explore how their organization supports school leaders, parents, and IEP team members through proactive conflict resolution and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Later, Jeremiah moderates a panel discussion with Leadership Academy attendees, highlighting new initiatives in schools, community support strategies, and the importance of stakeholder relationships in special education leadership.
 

Listen and Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts – Listen here
• Spotify – Listen here
• Direct Web Link (Blubrry) – Listen here
 

Episode Details

Release Date: December 9, 2024
Topics Covered:
  • Pathways to Partnership’s approach to conflict resolution in education
  • How to foster collaboration among school leaders, parents, and IEP teams
  • New school initiatives and strategies for building strong school communities
  • The role of leadership in developing stakeholder relationships
 

Resources Mentioned

Pathways to Partnership

  • Aubrie Fulk, Director of Student, Family, & District Support
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution & Prevention, Tehama County Department of Education
    • Visit Website
    • California Family Empowerment Center Contact Map

LEA Administrator Panelists

  • Cynthia Austin – Director of Special Education, New West Charter School
  • Lizzie Downes – Special Education Program Administrator, Green Dot Public Schools
  • Tania Gómez (She/Her/Ella) – Special Education Program Administrator, Green Dot Public Schools, California
  • Shalene Wright, Ed.D. – Director of Student Services, Environmental Charter Schools
  • Mrs. Ashlee Patel – Coordinator of Special Education, Westlake Charter School
Resilient Roots: School Wellness

Resilient Roots: School Wellness

Episode 01: Developing Organizational Wellbeing with Anna Jesseman

Welcome to Resilient Roots, a new series dedicated to holistic wellness in school communities. Our mission is to inspire and equip schools with the tools and insights needed to foster resilient, supportive, and thriving environments for all.
In this inaugural episode, Austen and Sean sit down with Anna Jesseman, a licensed clinical social worker and consultant from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. They discuss:
  • Her research and work in clinical social work
  • The critical role of educator well-being in student success
  • Where to find high-quality, free resources to support educator and student wellness

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Episode Details

Release Date: September 26, 2024
Topics Covered:
  • The importance of educator well-being in fostering student success
  • Research-based strategies to support mental health in school communities
  • Free resources for developing wellness programs in schools

Resources Mentioned

Episode 02: The Healing-Centered Approach with Dr. Porscha

In this episode of Resilient Roots, El Dorado Charter SELPA Program Coordinator Sean Andrew sits down with Dr. Lee Porscha Moore, keynote speaker at the Resilient Roots Summit and a leader at Flourish Agenda. They discuss the essential role of healing and trauma awareness in developing school wellness and individual well-being within our communities.

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Episode Details

Release Date: December 9, 2024
Topics Covered:
  • The impact of trauma-informed practices in schools
  • Healing-centered engagement and its role in fostering student and educator well-being
  • Strategies for creating supportive school communities

Resources Mentioned

Episode 03: Addressing the Dangers of Restraint and Seclusion in Schools

In this episode of Resilient Roots, El Dorado Charter SELPA program specialist Austen Coles and program coordinator Sean Andrew sit down with Riss Thompson from Lives in the Balance. Together, they examine restraint and seclusion data trends, the harmful impact of restrictive interventions, and alternative approaches to supporting students with behavioral needs in schools.

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Episode Details

Release Date: December 9, 2024
Topics Covered:
  • Trends in restraint and seclusion data in schools
  • Negative consequences of restrictive interventions for students
  • Effective alternatives for supporting students with behavioral needs

Resources Mentioned

Follow Lives in the Balance

Episode 04: Developing Peer Advocacy Programs with Tim Hooey and Hilary Roberts

In this episode of Resilient Roots, El Dorado Charter SELPA program specialist Austen Coles and program coordinator Sean Andrew sit down with Tim Hooey from the El Dorado County Office of Education and Hilary Roberts from Peer Advocates to explore the impact of peer advocacy programs.
Hilary explains why peer advocacy works, how it improves student outcomes, and how schools can integrate these programs effectively. Tim shares real success stories from El Dorado County schools and provides practical strategies for establishing, funding, and expanding peer programs in diverse school environments.

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Episode Details

Release Date: March 3, 2025
Topics Covered:
  • How peer advocacy programs improve student outcomes
  • Best practices for establishing and sustaining peer support programs
  • Funding opportunities for school-based advocacy initiatives

Resources Mentioned

  • Tim Hooey – Student Mental Health & Wellness at EDCOE – Learn more
  • California School-Based Health Alliance: Peer Support Resource Hub – Explore here
  • Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) Funding – Access here
  • College and Career Access Pathways Grant (Due March 31, 2025) – Apply here