Talking about all things inclusion: Recent Episodes
Margaret (Mags) Flood
Welcome to Talking about all things inclusion, a podcast that, well talks about inclusion. Each episode I talk with someone that inspires me. We chat about what inspired them to walk the equity, diversity, and inclusion path; their hopes and actions for equity and inclusion in education and society; and their top tips and resources to support our own journey of learning, thinking, and actions. Season one is my Fulbright season. As part of my stay in the US, I met and chatted with North American (US and Canada) advocates and experts who are leading the charge for equity, inclusion and UDL.
In this conversation five amazing newly qualified teachers talk with me about how they used dual coding theory to improve engagement in language learning for students with dyslexia. They share their own professional journeys in undertaking this research, make recommendations for the future and speak about the importance of inclusion in learning, teaching and assessment. A transcript of the conversation and resources are available here.
In this conversation talks to me about the potential of Assistive Technology (AT) to support everyone's learning. He gives great tips for both students and educators before walking us through his latest Assistive Technology support, the AT8. Transcript and resources are available here.
In this conversation Senan Dunne and Elizabeth Matthews share their views on the use of Irish Sign Language, Deaf Education, and the beauty of ISL as a language. Each bringing their own unique perspective as a deaf and a hearing person (respectively) this conversation offers an invaluable insight into some of the work being done in the field of deaf education and ISL in Ireland.A transcript, video with ISL interpretation and resources are available here.
In this conversation Carrie talks with me about her ongoing journey toward being "being ok for me to be." As part of this journey Carrie strives to create spaces where there is trust and belonging for both staff and students. Carrie promotes inclusion for all and everyone but in this conversation we focus on inclusive spaces for members of the LGBTQ community through visual and language representation. Transcript and resources for this episode are available here.
In this conversation Patricia talks with me about her experiences a blind person, her work to advocate for people with disabilities being valued for their expertise when asked share their knowledge with others and the importance of having people with disabilities at the decision-making table. Patricia also talks to us about accessibility and the role of guide dogs in giving blind people more independence. Transcript and resources for this episode are available here.
In this conversation Lisa talks with me about the importance of an inclusive curriculum for every student. She shares her experiences as a teacher accidentally finding Level 2 Learning Programmes (L2LPs) before talking about her current role as Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) Team Leader for Level 1 Learning Programmes (L1LPs) and L2LPs. Transcript and resources for this episode are available here.
In this episode Livia talks with me about her experiences both as an English as an Additional Language (EAL) student and teacher. Livia talks about how to support students with EAL in their English language learning journey and the importance of celebrating our students' cultural and linguistic diversity. Transcript and resources for this episode are available here.
In this conversation Ger McTavish talks with me about her role as the GAA national diversity and inclusion officer , and her journey to get there. Ger shares her learning from her time as a Special Olympics development officer and gives us examples of inclusion in GAA sports for people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, and refugees who are making Ireland their new home. Transcript for this episode is available here.
Welcome to season 2 of Talking about all things inclusion. While season 1 focused on sharing conversations with North American inclusion advocates, season 2 is all about the Irish! Its an opportunity to highlight just some of the amazing work people are doing to promote and embed equity, diversity nad inclusion in all facets of Irish society. In this season I'll speak with inclusion advocates in sport and education and technology, learn about accessibility for people with disabilities, and the impact of being diagnosed with a disability as an adult. There's so much to add to this in season 2 so please join me as I talk to some amazing people about all things inclusion.
In this conversation Jenna and Nicole talk with me about the review of the UDL Guidelines from an equity perspective. The share their own journey's to UDL and what motivated them to lead this important piece of work; what do we value? what do we teach? what to we honour?
Transcript and resources from this conversation are available here.
In this conversation Richard Jackson talks with me about his educational experiences as a person with a disability and how this has informed his work to create inclusive curricula and learning environments, and to support the next generation of leaders for inclusion.
Transcript and resources mentioned in the conversation are available here.
In this conversation Aashna talks with me about flexible learning spaces and creating making within and outside our school building.
Transcript of this conversation and resources available here.
In this conversation, Geena (Powa) Haiyupis talks with me about her journey of separation, trauma, healing, and reunification and the impact of her experiences on her life and the work she does know to share Indigenous culture and language with the next generation (indigenous and non-indigenous).
Transcript and resources are available here
In this conversation Andratesha Fritzgerald talks with me about UDL, antiracism, and anti-oppression. Andratesha talks about the importance of authentically communicating with our students as part of our journey to honouring them by asking our students what they need and what they don’t need from us. Transcript and resources available here
In this conversation Rebecca Tollkoff talks with me about hitting the wall, putting one foot in front of the other, and being mentally and physically confident to 'Roar' - loudly- in sport and in life. She talks about her work to promote whole-person confidence, giving people the tools to be safe through sport and her self-defense programme, and her time training Rwandan educators to train their students in self-defense and building confidence.
Transcript and resources available here.
In this conversation Dara Ryder and Daniel Elliott talk with me about the growing UDL community in Further and Higher Education in Ireland, the importance of peer-support, and the work their organisations (AHEAD and University for All in UCD) are doing to support equity and inclusion. They share the story of John Kelly's legacy before talking about the new John Kelly Awards for UDL and collaborative practices launching April 25th 2022.
Transcript and resources available here
In this conversation Dr. Frederic Fovet talks with me about a social justice approach to inclusion, the challenges schools and teachers face to embed sustainable UDL practices, and ways we can support them.
Transcript and resources are available here
In this conversation, Allison Posey and Katie Novak talk with me about their own UDL journeys. From the 'aha' to the 'I can do better' moments, Allison and Katie talk - among other things- about the need for empathy, to move outside our comfort strategies, and to allow ourselves and our students to be challenged. Theirs is a journey of unlearning to learn, teach, and act inclusively.
Transcript and resources are available here
In this conversation Nicole Tucker Smith talks with me about her three core conceptual foundations for universally designing learning with equity through the lens of 'universally designed' plantations, prisons, and school systems. Nicole shares personal stories to highlight the importance of representation, accepting intent and addressing impact, and empathy as choice.
Transcript of this conversations and resources mentioned are available here.
In this conversation, Dr. David Rose talks with me about his own learning experiences and the adults that made a difference in his world. We talk about how these experiences led to him developing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as framework for inclusive education and his hopes for UDL as it evolves to meet the needs of today's diverse learners and educators.
Transcript of this conversation and recourses mentioned are here.
Welcome to my new Podcast 'Talking about all things inclusion'. Having being inspired by the conversations I was having with amazing inclusion advocates I decided to capture their voices and share the learning with you. Season one is a series of conversations with North American advocates from David Rose, the co-designer of Universal Design for Learning to Jenna Gravel and Nicole Tucker-Smith who are leading the charge to UDL Equity to Rising, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Geena Hyatus and Honor Code and anti-racism advocate Andratesha Fritzgerald.