Jenny interviews Rachel Will and Meggan Heady, two experienced public school teachers who once taught her daughter. The conversation is about how educational experiences are strengthened through collaboration between families, general education teachers and teachers of the visually impaired or other specialties. 

Cathy shares insights on Universal Design for Learning and how educators can create learning environments that meet the needs of all students. She explains how thoughtful lesson design, multiple ways for students to engage with content and varied options for demonstrating learning can help make classrooms more inclusive and accessible.

Later in the conversation, Jenny and Paige talk about the anxiety many families feel about how their child will do in school, especially during important transitions. From starting school for the first time to moving between grades or classrooms, they share insights into why these moments can feel overwhelming for both children and parents.

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Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found here.  

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Paige interviews Emily Munson, a preschool teacher in an early childhood classroom for children who are medically complex. Emily shares her journey of finding her way to her dream classroom. She tells how she includes children who are blind and low vision, and gives a sneak peek into her favorite lesson to teach.

Jenny, Paige, and Cathy discuss the powerful impact of preschool. They reflect on the way that Emily seamlessly integrates strategies into the environment that help children thrive and ease parental anxiety.

The group dives deep into the importance of observation as a foundational tool for both teachers and families. Jenny and Paige emphasize that learning to "watch and wait" is a vital skill for families before jumping into action.

The conversation also covers the often-daunting transition from early intervention to preschool. Cathy breaks down the role of Child Find, a federal requirement that ensures children are evaluated for special education services, and how the process varies by state. Paige shares how early intervention programs support families through this eligibility process. Finally, the team discusses the importance of trusting your instincts when choosing a school and utilizing State Early Learning Guidelines to ensure children are getting the support they need.

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/child-find-what-it-is-and-how-it-works

We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife

Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals. A list of those services can be found here.

Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠

Make a Donation to-

VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠

Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠

Email: ⁠⁠feelingthislife@vips.org⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠