Building Bridges: Parents and Teachers as Partners with Alexis Welch - Episode 26

Inclusion and Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Alexis Welch, a seasoned special education teacher and master IEP coach, to discuss practical strategies for fostering inclusion for children with disabilities. They explore the evolving definition of inclusion, the importance of parent-teacher collaboration, and actionable tips for overcoming challenges in IEP meetings. Alexis emphasizes the significance of individualized plans and communication, and they discuss the emotional aspects of advocating for a child. The episode concludes with practical ways to promote inclusion in daily life, such as following disability advocates on social media for first-hand perspectives.

Key Takeaways:

Evolving Inclusion: Inclusion extends beyond education to all aspects of life, ensuring full participation regardless of ability or background.

Parent-Teacher Partnerships: Building collaborative relationships with IEP teams enhances a child’s educational experience.

Practical Advocacy: Having a clear plan and prioritizing key goals helps parents navigate inclusion discussions effectively.

Communication Is Key: Frequent and open communication among parents, teachers, and teams is vital, especially for non-verbal students.

Empathy & Action: Practicing empathy and learning directly from individuals with disabilities can foster a deeper understanding and support for inclusion.

Alexis’ definition of inclusion:

Inclusion is every person being able to participate in all activities in all settings regardless of ability.

Alexis’ Bio:

As a special educator, curriculum designer, and IEP coach, I strive to deliver the best possible services to students, their families, and fellow special educators. I believe each child is unique and has the ability to learn. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, and Bloom's Taxonomy form the foundation of my educational philosophy. I believe in educating the whole child and treating each student that enters my classroom as if they are my own. I use specifically designed instruction, differentiated instruction, and multisensory approaches to deliver standards-based instruction to learners in conjunction with direct instruction per their individualized education plans (IEP). I founded The Peachy Speducator to provide teachers with rigorous and age-respectful curriculum and supplementary materials to use in their own educational practices. As an IEP coach, I assist IEP teams with developing dynamic, strength-based IEPs to aid learners in receiving the best possible education and make the transition to become productive global citizens. I am a lifelong learner who is always striving to perfect my craft.

Connect with Alexis:

Website: https://alexis-welch.com/

Website: https://thepeachyspeducator.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePeachySpeducator/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeachyspeducator/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-welch-ed-s-96445923/

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

No

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 13

No - 10

Hasn’t tried it - 1

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