In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Meagan Gillcrist, the Executive Director and Founder of AlignEd. Meagan shares her journey, from over a decade of experience as a special education teacher to overseeing special education programming and ultimately founding AlignEd. AlignEd is focused on creating systems to support both general and special education before the need for formalized IEPs arises, emphasizing proactive strategies to ensure the success of students and teachers alike.
Episode Summary:
Introduction:
Frances Shefter, host of Stress-Free IEP®, welcomes Meagan Gillcrist, Executive Director and founder of AlignEd, an organization dedicated to helping schools implement effective systems that bridge the gap between general and special education. In this episode, they explore how Meagan uses her extensive experience as a special educator to create practical, sustainable frameworks that support teachers in meeting diverse student needs. The discussion focuses on building systems that proactively support students, reduce teacher burnout, and ensure that Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are implemented with fidelity.
Meagan’s Background and the Founding of AlignEd:
Meagan discusses her background in special education, particularly her experience working with students with emotional disabilities and overseeing special education programs in Colorado. She found that while IEPs were often well written, they were not always implemented effectively, leading her to explore solutions. During COVID, Meagan became overwhelmed by the reactive nature of addressing educational issues, which inspired her to focus on creating systems for schools that proactively support both educators and students.
The Importance of Systems in Education:
Meagan explains that systems are essential for reducing daily decision-making for teachers and helping them implement educational practices consistently. She emphasizes that systems should support general education teachers in accommodating students’ needs, thereby preventing unnecessary special education referrals. Systems ensure that teachers have a structured approach to help students succeed without overcomplicating the process.
Challenges in Special Education and Solutions:
Meagan addresses the common challenge of overcomplicating accommodations and the need for effective systems. Many schools provide an overwhelming number of accommodations without focusing on the highest priority needs. She highlights the importance of training students to advocate for themselves, particularly in secondary education, and the need for better collaboration between general and special education.
The Role of Data and Progress Monitoring:
Frances and Meagan discuss the importance of using data effectively. Meagan points out that schools often have a lot of data but lack clear strategies for how to use it. Effective data collection and interpretation can help schools identify when students truly need special education services and when the issue may be with the quality of instruction rather than the student’s ability.
Addressing Systemic Disconnects:
Meagan describes how schools often operate in silos, focusing on specific subjects or departments rather than taking a holistic approach to student learning. She advocates for better team collaboration among educators to ensure that all aspects of a child’s development—social, emotional, and academic—are considered.
Implementing Effective School Systems:
Meagan offers advice for schools interested in improving their systems. She emphasizes that teachers are often already using effective systems but may not realize it. Schools should capture these existing systems and resources, rather than creating new ones from scratch. She suggests starting with a review of what is already working and using that information to build a cohesive structure.
AlignEd’s First 5 Course Bundle:
Meagan shares details about AlignEd’s “First 5” course bundle, which is designed to help schools implement effective systems for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). This course is aimed at individuals responsible for coordinating MTSS, offering practical guidance and templates to help them get started. A free introductory workshop will be held on November 7, 2024.
Conclusion:
The episode concludes with Meagan encouraging schools to focus on resourcing what they already have and collaborating with teachers to implement systems effectively. She offers her services to schools nationwide and provides contact information for those interested in AlignEd’s support.
Frances Shefter is an Education Attorney and Advocate who is committed to helping her clients have a Stress-Free IEP® experience. In each podcast, Frances interviews inspiring people to share information, educate you, empower you and help you get the knowledge you need.
Building Effective Education Systems with Meagan Gillcrist
Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 76
In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Meagan Gillcrist, the Executive Director and Founder of AlignEd. Meagan shares her journey, from over a decade of experience as a special education teacher to overseeing special education programming and ultimately founding AlignEd. AlignEd is focused on creating systems to support both general and special education before the need for formalized IEPs arises, emphasizing proactive strategies to ensure the success of students and teachers alike.
Episode Summary:
Introduction:
Frances Shefter, host of Stress-Free IEP®, welcomes Meagan Gillcrist, Executive Director and founder of AlignEd, an organization dedicated to helping schools implement effective systems that bridge the gap between general and special education. In this episode, they explore how Meagan uses her extensive experience as a special educator to create practical, sustainable frameworks that support teachers in meeting diverse student needs. The discussion focuses on building systems that proactively support students, reduce teacher burnout, and ensure that Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are implemented with fidelity.
Meagan’s Background and the Founding of AlignEd:
Meagan discusses her background in special education, particularly her experience working with students with emotional disabilities and overseeing special education programs in Colorado. She found that while IEPs were often well written, they were not always implemented effectively, leading her to explore solutions. During COVID, Meagan became overwhelmed by the reactive nature of addressing educational issues, which inspired her to focus on creating systems for schools that proactively support both educators and students.
The Importance of Systems in Education:
Meagan explains that systems are essential for reducing daily decision-making for teachers and helping them implement educational practices consistently. She emphasizes that systems should support general education teachers in accommodating students’ needs, thereby preventing unnecessary special education referrals. Systems ensure that teachers have a structured approach to help students succeed without overcomplicating the process.
Challenges in Special Education and Solutions:
Meagan addresses the common challenge of overcomplicating accommodations and the need for effective systems. Many schools provide an overwhelming number of accommodations without focusing on the highest priority needs. She highlights the importance of training students to advocate for themselves, particularly in secondary education, and the need for better collaboration between general and special education.
The Role of Data and Progress Monitoring:
Frances and Meagan discuss the importance of using data effectively. Meagan points out that schools often have a lot of data but lack clear strategies for how to use it. Effective data collection and interpretation can help schools identify when students truly need special education services and when the issue may be with the quality of instruction rather than the student’s ability.
Addressing Systemic Disconnects:
Meagan describes how schools often operate in silos, focusing on specific subjects or departments rather than taking a holistic approach to student learning. She advocates for better team collaboration among educators to ensure that all aspects of a child’s development—social, emotional, and academic—are considered.
Implementing Effective School Systems:
Meagan offers advice for schools interested in improving their systems. She emphasizes that teachers are often already using effective systems but may not realize it. Schools should capture these existing systems and resources, rather than creating new ones from scratch. She suggests starting with a review of what is already working and using that information to build a cohesive structure.
AlignEd’s First 5 Course Bundle:
Meagan shares details about AlignEd’s “First 5” course bundle, which is designed to help schools implement effective systems for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). This course is aimed at individuals responsible for coordinating MTSS, offering practical guidance and templates to help them get started. A free introductory workshop will be held on November 7, 2024.
Conclusion:
The episode concludes with Meagan encouraging schools to focus on resourcing what they already have and collaborating with teachers to implement systems effectively. She offers her services to schools nationwide and provides contact information for those interested in AlignEd’s support.
Learn more about Meagan Gillcrist:
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Stress-Free IEP®:
Frances Shefter is an Education Attorney and Advocate who is committed to helping her clients have a Stress-Free IEP® experience. In each podcast, Frances interviews inspiring people to share information, educate you, empower you and help you get the knowledge you need.
Watch more episodes of Stress-Free IEP®:
Connect and learn more from your host, Frances Shefter:
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