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A conference of one’s own
Posted on May 15, 2013 in Families, Inclusion
For the last 20 years, I have long traveled to inclusion conferences in other cities and states. I have seen how an annual conference organized around inclusive schooling can help families, teachers, and administrators learn new skills and provide support to one another.
This is one of the reasons I wished for an inclusion conference here in Illinois. Last week, that wish came…
Illinois Includes Speaker Preview: Patrick Schwarz
Posted on March 31, 2013 in Families, Inclusion, News
Another not-to-be-missed speaker at the Illinois Includes Conference is Dr. Patrick Schwarz.
When it comes to Patrick Schwarz, I almost have no words (and that is saying a lot for someone like me who seemingly never stops talking). He is an amazing presenter with equal parts heart, soul, and energy. Let’s just say that if you have never seen Patrick speak you are in for a treat and a half. People describe him as dynamic, energizing, and motivational. I see him as all of these things and so much more.
Patrick has been my boss, my friend, my neighbor, my co-worker, my co-presenter, and even my co-author. In this short clip, you can see him chatting about our book, Pedro’s Whale. You can tell from this video just how student-centered he is (one of the things I love most about him):
Patrick is present two sessions on May 9th. He will discuss…
Illinois Includes Speaker Preview: Bill Henderson
Posted on March 29, 2013 in Families, Inclusion, News
We are so thrilled to have Dr. Bill Henderson coming to the Illinois Includes conference.
To say that Henderson is an inclusive schooling pioneer is an understatement. When he was a teacher in his early twenties, he was told by doctors that he would be blind in a matter of years. He was urged to get out of the field of education. Not only did Henderson ignore that advice, he pursued advanced…
Illinois Includes Speaker Preview: Norman Kunc & Emma Van der Klift
Posted on March 26, 2013 in Families, Inclusion, News
For the next few days I am going to be profiling a few of the amazing speakers that will be presenting at Illinois Includes in Oakbrook, IL this May 9th & 10th.
I am part of a group of advocates who have been trying to bring a regional inclusion conference to Illinois for years. We cannot believe it is finally happening and that we have secured such wonderful talent and energy for the two-day event
The first speaker I am highlighting is the incomparable, Norman Kunc.
If you don’t know about Norman Kunc, you…
URGENT: Action needed in Illinois
Posted on March 26, 2013 in Families, Inclusion, News
If you have not yet heard the news, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently passed a proposal that would lift formal class size limitations on special education classrooms and allow all decisions on class size limits to be made at the local level.
We need to FLOOD the ISBE with our comments, feedback, and protests on this one, folks. We need to respond “early and often” in the next 3 weeks and do all we can to ensure that our teachers and our students get what they need to succeed.
The impact on inclusive schooling would be…