In Search of…the special hearted….

Looking for courageous educators committed to transforming large-scale special education systems.

Which do you see?

I discovered this drawing on social media and stopped to reflect. Pause a moment to notice what each sees in the other.

Which do you empower?

We all look toward the future and ask “What if?” But the thinking behind the question makes a huge difference in our outcomes.

What message would YOU give to families of transitioning youth?

Who says you can’t go back?

Last Saturday, I was the keynote speaker at the Baltimore County Transition Expo in Timonium. It’s been 20 years since their last Transition Expo, and I was probably there. Deja vu!

Last weekend I attended a Women’s Leadership Summit with the theme “the time is now!” The spirit of stepping forward to lead has stayed with me, haunting my thoughts and inspiring me to action.

Can we be honest?

Special education services in this country aren’t working.

Do you ever get tired of keeping going? You know that you’re onto something that could make a difference, but you’re not sure if others get it? You know you can’t accomplish your mission if you’re doing it alone, but where are the others going to come from?

“The IEP must be reasonably calculated to enable the child to make appropriate progress in light of the child’s circumstances. ”

— Endrew F Supreme Court ruling, March 2017

Have you heard about the Endrew F. vs. Douglas County Supreme Court ruling? Get ready for a tsunami of change.

Have you discovered Brene Brown? I have eagerly read her books and embraced her wisdom. She is a researcher at the University of Houston, exploring the debilitating force of shame and the power of courage. She has popularized discussion of vulnerability. Her work inspires me to admit what I don’t know, to ask others for their perspectives, to care about their struggles, and to request personal support for perseverance on my journey.

If you’re like me, you wanted to block out everything related to your career so you could enjoy family and friends over the holiday break. We sometimes need to remind ourselves that those connections are the most important aspect of our lives. Congratulations if you were successful! I really hope you enjoyed precious moments.

This is a busy time of year. We are all pulled in so many directions and REALLY looking forward to a well-earned holiday break. Thank you to those who participated in last week’s webinar “Problem Parents: Our Untapped Asset” in spite of the timing. Several of you asked if I was planning to record the session. Sadly, I forgot to push the record button, but (luckily) that provided me a chance to record a shorter version for sharing.