In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Michela Laverty, a seasoned special education consultant and the founder of Oly Able Special Education Consulting, based in Denver, CO. With a background in implementing inclusive practices and building successful programs for students with learning and intellectual disabilities, Michela is passionate about supporting educators through professional development, coaching, and advocating for high-quality resources in special education. She’s here to share her insights on how she was able to write and develop IEPs without giving up too much of herself along the way.
Episode summary:
Introduction:
Frances Shefter welcomes Michela Laverty, founder of Oly Able Special Education Consulting, to talk about her experiences as a seasoned special education consultant. Michela shares her journey from the classroom to consulting, pointing out the importance of creating systems that support educators, students, and families in special education.
Challenges in Special Education:
Michela talks about her early days as a high school self-contained teacher, when she encountered the intimidating task of creating curriculum and systems without clear guidance. She highlights the lack of support and resources for special educators and the need to reimagine how special education is approached to effectively meet students’ diverse needs.
Implementing Inclusive Practices:
Through trial and error, Michela worked to integrate her self-contained students into general education settings. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other teachers, building inclusive environments, and tailoring curriculum to meet students’ functional and academic needs. Michela also speaks to the critical role of professional development and teacher empowerment in creating sustainable change.
Streamlining the IEP Process:
One of Michela’s key contributions is developing IEP templates and systems to simplify the process for teachers. She explains her structured approach to writing present levels, setting goals, and addressing supplementary aids and services in a cohesive manner. Michela shares how these systems save time and reduce stress for educators, enabling them to focus more on teaching and less on paperwork.
Collaborating with Families and Staff:
Michela highlights the importance of building strong communication systems with both families and school teams. She describes her proactive strategies for engaging parents early, fostering meaningful collaboration, and ensuring that all team members are aligned in supporting students’ needs. By creating clear and consistent communication channels, Michela helps bridge the gap between home and school.
Transition Planning and Present Levels:
The episode delves into the often-overlooked importance of transition planning and well-written present levels in the IEP process. Michela emphasizes that present levels should provide a full picture of the child, outlining their strengths, weaknesses, and the support needed to succeed. She also discusses how transition planning should be individualized to help students prepare for adulthood, whether that involves further education, employment, or independent living.
Supporting Teachers Through Professional Development:
Michela describes the professional development services offered by Oly Able Special Education Consulting, including webinars, in-person training, and classroom coaching. She explains how her training empowers teachers to implement effective strategies, build inclusive environments, and prevent burnout.
Building Community and Securing Resources:
Michela shares innovative ideas for engaging communities and securing resources for special education. From writing grants to leveraging social media and local businesses, she provides practical strategies for overcoming budget constraints and fostering community support.
Conclusion:
This episode highlights the importance of collaboration, innovation, and proactive systems in special education. Michela’s insights underscore the need to support educators, empower families, and build communities that work together to ensure every child has access to quality education.
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.
Inclusive Practices in Special Education with Michela Laverty of Oly Able Special Education Consulting
Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 82
In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Michela Laverty, a seasoned special education consultant and the founder of Oly Able Special Education Consulting, based in Denver, CO. With a background in implementing inclusive practices and building successful programs for students with learning and intellectual disabilities, Michela is passionate about supporting educators through professional development, coaching, and advocating for high-quality resources in special education. She’s here to share her insights on how she was able to write and develop IEPs without giving up too much of herself along the way.
Episode summary:
Introduction:
Frances Shefter welcomes Michela Laverty, founder of Oly Able Special Education Consulting, to talk about her experiences as a seasoned special education consultant. Michela shares her journey from the classroom to consulting, pointing out the importance of creating systems that support educators, students, and families in special education.
Challenges in Special Education:
Michela talks about her early days as a high school self-contained teacher, when she encountered the intimidating task of creating curriculum and systems without clear guidance. She highlights the lack of support and resources for special educators and the need to reimagine how special education is approached to effectively meet students’ diverse needs.
Implementing Inclusive Practices:
Through trial and error, Michela worked to integrate her self-contained students into general education settings. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other teachers, building inclusive environments, and tailoring curriculum to meet students’ functional and academic needs. Michela also speaks to the critical role of professional development and teacher empowerment in creating sustainable change.
Streamlining the IEP Process:
One of Michela’s key contributions is developing IEP templates and systems to simplify the process for teachers. She explains her structured approach to writing present levels, setting goals, and addressing supplementary aids and services in a cohesive manner. Michela shares how these systems save time and reduce stress for educators, enabling them to focus more on teaching and less on paperwork.
Collaborating with Families and Staff:
Michela highlights the importance of building strong communication systems with both families and school teams. She describes her proactive strategies for engaging parents early, fostering meaningful collaboration, and ensuring that all team members are aligned in supporting students’ needs. By creating clear and consistent communication channels, Michela helps bridge the gap between home and school.
Transition Planning and Present Levels:
The episode delves into the often-overlooked importance of transition planning and well-written present levels in the IEP process. Michela emphasizes that present levels should provide a full picture of the child, outlining their strengths, weaknesses, and the support needed to succeed. She also discusses how transition planning should be individualized to help students prepare for adulthood, whether that involves further education, employment, or independent living.
Supporting Teachers Through Professional Development:
Michela describes the professional development services offered by Oly Able Special Education Consulting, including webinars, in-person training, and classroom coaching. She explains how her training empowers teachers to implement effective strategies, build inclusive environments, and prevent burnout.
Building Community and Securing Resources:
Michela shares innovative ideas for engaging communities and securing resources for special education. From writing grants to leveraging social media and local businesses, she provides practical strategies for overcoming budget constraints and fostering community support.
Conclusion:
This episode highlights the importance of collaboration, innovation, and proactive systems in special education. Michela’s insights underscore the need to support educators, empower families, and build communities that work together to ensure every child has access to quality education.
Learn more about Michela Laverty:
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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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