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Nick sits down with Elim teacher Emily Paluch to dive deep into the strategies she uses in her classroom to connect and communicate with students. They discuss picking up non-verbal cues, AAC devices, and the power of families. If you have a person in your life who utilizes augmentative and alternative communication, this episode is worth a listen!Nick sits down with Elim teacher Emily Paluch to dive deep into the strategies she uses in her classroom to connect and communicate with students. They discuss picking up non-verbal cues, AAC devices, and the power of families. If you have a person in your life who utilizes augmentative and alternative communication, this episode is worth a listen!Nick sits down with Elim teacher Emily Paluch to dive deep into the strategies she uses in her classroom to connect and communicate with students. They discuss picking up non-verbal cues, AAC devices, and the power of families. If you have a person in your life who utilizes augmentative and alternative communication, this episode is worth a listen!Nick sits down with Elim teacher Emily Paluch to dive deep into the strategies she uses in her classroom to connect and communicate with students. They discuss picking up non-verbal cues, AAC devices, and the power of families. If you have a person in your life who utilizes augmentative and alternative communication, this episode is worth a listen! Questions? Comments? Email elim.thriving@elimcs.org to connect with Nick and Emily!

What is SEL and why is it so important for students at Elim? Nick sits down with Elim Social Worker Noelle Hirsch to discuss why students need social-emotional learning, and how educators in the Crossroads and Bridges programs help students understand this vitally important life skill. Questions? Comments? Email elim.thriving@elimcs.org to connect with Nick and Noelle!

Why do you do what do you? It's important for educators, parents, and advocates of individuals with disabilities to have a strong link to their why. In this special collaboration episode, Nick sits down with Special Education Lawyer, advocate, parent, and former teacher Ashley Barlow to look deeper into our motivations and driving force behind the work that we do. Links to Ashley's website and podcast can be found here: Ashley Barlow Co Website Ashley Barlow Co Podcast Questions? Comments? Email elim.thriving@elimcs.org to connect with Nick and Ashley!

Ever wonder why people may act different, perhaps even funny, out in public? Author and Special Educator Sandy Sotzen wrote a book to answer that specific question! She sat down with Nick to discuss Why Do They Do That? and all that went into creating a book that is informative to both children and adults. If you've ever wondered "Why do they do that?" this is the episode for you! Links to Sandy's books can be found here: Amazon Storybook Genius Publishing Questions? Comments? Email elim.thriving@elimcs.org to connect with Nick and Sandy!

Nick and Bradley finish their conversation on how the brain works and it's implications for students with special needs.  Listen to All About the Brain part 1 here Questions? Comments? Email Elim.Thriving@elimcs.org #sped #educhat #neuroscience #brain #neuroplasticity #teaching

Nick sits down with Neuroscientist Dr. Bradley Heit to talk all about the brain and how it works in relation to students with special needs. Topics discussed include: Bradley’s background The different parts of the brain Interconnectedness in the brain Neuroscience’s Executive Functioning How the brain sends signals to our body The frontal cortex’s processing The reptilian brain/limbic system What disabilities physically look like in the brain How the connections within the brain impact students with disabilities The brain is like a computer Neurogenesis and the creation of new neurons Questions? Comments? Email elim.thriving@elimcs.org to connect! #sped #educhat #neuroscience #brain #neuroplasticity #teaching

Nick and Dr. David Russo finish their conversation on Curriculum and Instruction. Listen to part one of the conversation here Questions? Comments? Email elim.thriving@elimcs.org to connect! Discussion Topics include: How are teachers actually involved in curriculum design? Curriculum cycles and review Communication within a school about curriculum Inviting and Involving and parents Explaining curriculum standards to parents Special Education versus General Education development Life Skills standards Assessing a curriculum's effectiveness What if students aren't getting the curriculum? Vertical alignment explained

Nick sits down with Asst. Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. David Russo to discuss all things Curriculum and how it impacts teachers, parents, and students. Questions? Comments? Email elim.thriving@elimcs.org to connect! Topics Covered include: David's background Definition of curriculum Identifying what groups of students need academically Working flexibility into curiculum Adapting to student needs Incorporating student voice into curriculum Curriculum & Special Needs Engaging students and misbehavior Making curriculum relevant How do we teach 'soft skills' Making curricular decisions to include specific skills If education were a body, what would curriculum be? #education #curriculum #sped #teaching #educhat

Nick sits down with English Language Learner teacher and administrator Alex Bernstein to finish their conversation about EL and Special Education.  Topics covered include: How EL and SPED intersect Long term English Learners Identifying deficits Using and interpreting data Importance of teachers Thriving at work Questions or Comments? Email Elim.Thriving@elimcs.org Listen to part one of the conversation here #education #teaching #sped #thrive #ESLSPED #ESL #ELL #EL #TEFL #TESOL #biliteracy

Nick sits down with English Language Learner teacher and administrator Alex Bernstein in part one of a two-part discussion. Topics covered include: Alex’s Background Definition of ESL/EL/ELL EL in the classroom Goals of EL Global political impact in the classroom Biliteracy Bridging skills from native language to English Teacher perception of ELs and Educating families Engaging students culture Cultural Connections #education #teaching #sped #thrive #ESLSPED #ESL #ELL #EL #TEFL #TESOL #biliteracy #edchat

Nick sits down with Social Worker Becky Burright to discuss the CASEL SEL framework area of Social Awareness. Topics covered include: What is social awareness? The importance of teaching social awareness skills Unexpected behaviors and hidden rules Social awareness goals How can we teach kids to care? Differing social norms across cultures How to acclimate new students to your classroom culture When should students start learning social awareness skills? Resources for this episode include: CASEL - SEL Framework Social Thinking Social Mapping #education #casel #socialawareness #socialwork #sped #thrive #SEL #socialemotionallearning

Nick sits down with Chicago Public School Teacher/Dean/Basketball Coach Carlos Bester to discuss his approach to behavior management and restorative practices. They discuss the importance of relationships, structuring a classroom, and other topics related to helping struggling students thrive. Questions? Comments?  Email Elim.Thriving@elimcs.org 

Nick Milano sits down with Dr. Owiny and Dr. Wright, professors of education at Trinity International University to discuss how to help students that struggle with executive functioning. We also discuss what post-secondary education looks like for students with disabilities and how it differs from the K-12 experience. #education  #specialeducation #sped #autism  #thriving

In this special bonus episode, Colleen introduces Nick Milano who will pick up responsibilities as host of the Elim Thriving Podcast. They discuss his career in education, interests, and discover what makes him thrive.

Check out this rich conversation with school leader Brian Verwolf and find more joy in teaching, leading, parenting, and living by leveraging your unique strengths.

Allie interviews Macy Gilson, a speech pathologist, children's book author, and inclusion advocate, about what truly makes a school environment inclusive. She gives us tips, recommendations, and tangible resources for creating inclusive classrooms starting at the beginning of the school year - no matter what your classroom looks like. Visit Macy's website at https://www.macygilson.com/ for resources, inclusive book lists, and to purchase her inclusive children's book. 

Nicole Morris is a special educator, ABA therapist, aspiring BCBA, and a blogger/content creator who shares with us ALL of the basics of Applied Behavior Analysis, how to use these concepts in the classroom, and all the misconceptions surrounding ABA practices. You can continue learning from Nicole on her podcast, Adaptation Station (you can find it anywhere you listen to podcasts!) and from her blog (www.adaptationstation.net). 

Learn from parent and advocate Jody Warshawsky, host of the Accepting the Unacceptable podcast, as she shares her journey as a mother of a child with Autism and Epilepsy. 

Learn from Fiona Gonzalez, special education teacher and vocational skills expert from the blog Adulting Made Easy, as she shares her experience and her expertise on vocational and life skills for teens and adults with disabilities. www.spedadulting.com

You DO NOT want to miss this incredible episode with world-renowned executive functioning coach Seth Perler! Seth shares his wisdom and insider tips on how to help kids who struggle with executive functioning- those kids who can't seem to focus, get themselves organized, or follow through on tasks. If you're the teacher or parent of a child like this, you'll gain a whole new understanding of how you can help.