Practical Access Podcast

In this episode of Practical Access, hosts Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines welcome Dr. Honora Wall, an expert on dyscalculia, a math-related learning disability. Dr. Wall, founder of the Dyscalculia Training Research Institute (DTRI), sheds light on the unique challenges faced by individuals with dyscalculia, offering practical strategies for teachers and families to better support students struggling with math. Key takeaways include: Understanding DyscalculiaPractical Classroom StrategiesReducing Math AnxietyEmpowering StudentsWhether you're an educator or a parent, this episode offers valuable advice to help students overcome barriers and thrive. We love to hear from our listeners! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Twitter (@Accesspractical) or Instagram (@Practical_Access). Resources: The Dyscalculia Training Research Institute (DTRI) Website: https://www.thedtri.org/ Teaching Students with Dyscalculia: https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Students-Dyscalculia-Honora-Wall/dp/1732760160 Honora Wall’s Podcast, What in the World is Dyscalculia: https://rss.com/podcasts/dyscalculia/ Honora Wall’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqXKkHFgVlACI_NqM2J34pg

In this episode of Practical Access, hosts Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines welcome Dr. Sarah Bush, Lockheed Martin Eminent Scholar at the University of Central Florida and co-author of The Math Pact series. The conversation dives into strategies for making math education accessible, equitable, and engaging for all students, including those with disabilities. Dr. Bush discusses the synergy between high-leverage practices (HLPs), mathematics, and effective teaching practices (ETPs), emphasizing the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in both general and special education. She advocates for asset-based approaches to teaching, highlighting the need to leverage students’ strengths and avoid harmful deficit labels. Key insights include: Avoiding Deficit Labels:Equity in Math Education:Creating Positive Math Experiences:Dr. Bush also reflects on what makes an inclusive math classroom truly exceptional—empowered, confident teachers who foster a caring and nurturing environment, set high expectations, and provide tools for students to succeed. This episode is packed with practical strategies for educators looking to create inclusive, effective math classrooms that inspire confidence and success in all learners. We love to hear from our listeners! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Twitter (@Accesspractical) or Instagram (@Practical_Access). Resources: Sarah Bush's Bio: https://ccie.ucf.edu/person/sarah-bush/ National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: https://www.nctm.org/ Math Pact Series: https://www.corwin.com/landing-pages/the-math-pact?srsltid=AfmBOorx3GL6RwftuSyi3uY6dwF96tn9h_QvrDpPNwoNrO9Da0RpG366 NCTM and CEC Position Statement on Teaching Mathematics to Students with Disabilities: https://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Standards_and_Positions/Position_Statements/NCTM-CEC-Disabilities-Position-Statement-December2024.pdf

In this episode of Practical Access, hosts Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines dive into the critical role of assistive technology (AT) in math and science education with guest Dr. Tiffanie Zaugg. Dr. Zaugg is a former AAC Coordinator in the school district of Iowa and creator of EL, a chatbot designed to revolutionize teaching practices and enhance student learning experiences. Dr. Zaugg shares insights on using AT to support students with diverse needs. The discussion highlights: Framework for AT UseAI and AT InnovationsAccessible ResourcesInclusive 365Teacher EmpowermentDebates on Technology in ClassroomsDr. Zaugg also addresses resistance to AT use, offering practical ways to reframe its importance and promote its integration in classrooms. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, or parent, this episode provides actionable strategies to ensure students can thrive with the support of assistive technology. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion that reimagines how we approach learning in STEM through innovation and accessibility. We love to hear from our listeners! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Twitter (@Accesspractical) or Instagram (@Practical_Access). Resources: Tiffanie’s Chatbot, EL: https://www.canva.com/design/DAF4ZnhZ8TI/bGhftIi8zBjLuBFANJBP2w/view?utm_content=DAF4ZnhZ8TI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor Equatio: https://www.texthelp.com/products/equatio/ Math Solver: https://math.microsoft.com/en MathGPT: https://math-gpt.org/ Inclusive 365: https://inclusive365.com/

In this episode of Practical Access, hosts Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines are joined by Dr. Bree Jimenez, a professor of special education and chair of the Department of Educational Psychology at Baylor School of Education. Dr. Jimenez dives into her innovative work in making STEM education more accessible for students with disabilities. Key topics include: Inclusive Inquiry-Based Learning:Communication and Access:Building Classroom Routines:Supporting Educators:Dr. Jimenez challenges the perceived divide between inquiry-based and explicit instruction, advocating for a blended approach to meet diverse student needs. She emphasizes the value of identifying essential skills and content in lessons while using UDL principles and systematic instruction to guide teaching. Through examples such as integrating engineering and STEM concepts, Dr. Jimenez underscores the potential for accessible STEM education to improve post-school outcomes. Her insights offer practical, research-backed strategies for building inclusive classroom cultures where every student can thrive. We love to hear from our listeners! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Twitter (@Accesspractical) or Instagram (@Practical_Access). Bree Jimenez Bio and Publications: https://edp.soe.baylor.edu/bree-jimenez

In this episode of Practical Access, Dr. Jonte’ Taylor, associate professor at Penn State, discusses the integration of arts into STEM education, creating an inclusive STEAM framework. Dr. Taylor emphasizes the importance of incorporating arts (the "A" in STEAM) as a tool for multimodal representation, aligning with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to make science more accessible and engaging for all students, especially those with diverse needs. The conversation covers strategies for teachers to foster inclusive science classrooms. Dr. Taylor highlights the significance of rethinking engagement, making science relevant to everyday life, and using a flexible approach to instruction that adapts to individual student needs. He discusses supporting students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) in science classes, encouraging teachers to embrace active, hands-on learning, while also being sensitive to classroom dynamics. The episode concludes with advice for special education teachers collaborating with experienced science teachers, emphasizing the power of adaptability and co-ownership of all students’ success. Dr. Taylor’s insights remind educators that inclusive, inquiry-based science education is attainable through collaboration, intentionality, and courage. We love to hear from our listeners! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Twitter (@Accesspractical) or Instagram (@Practical_Access). Jonte' Taylor's Bio: https://ed.psu.edu/directory/dr-jonte-taylor Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jonte-Taylor https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=qOuDFX4AAAAJ&hl=en

In this episode of Practical Access, hosts Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines welcome Dr. Karen Karp, a professor emerita in mathematics education at the University of Louisville and recently a professor at Johns Hopkins University. Her scholarship lies at the intersection of mathematics education and special education. She is the author or co-author of numerous book chapters, articles, and books, including the U.S. Department of Education Institute of Science’s What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide on Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades, and other titles such as Strengths-based Teaching and Learning in Mathematics: 5 Teaching Turnarounds for Grades K-6, The Math Pact: Achieving Instructional Coherence within and Across Grades, and Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally which has been translated into seven languages. She also was on the authoring team of the NCTM- CEC Joint Position Statement. Dr. Karp is a former member of the board of directors of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and a former president of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. In 2020, she was selected for the NCTM Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics Education. She also is a member of the U.S. National Commission on Mathematics Instruction. This summer she represented the United States as the Chair of the Topic Study Group on Teaching Mathematics to Students with Special Needs at the International Congress on Mathematical Education in Australia. She holds teaching/administrative certifications in elementary education, secondary mathematics, K-12 special education, and K-12 educational administration. Karp's scholarship stands out for its direct and visible impact on practicing mathematics teachers. Her work goes beyond theory, with her ideas being actively implemented in classrooms, shaping how mathematics is taught. In this podcast, Dr. Karp offers invaluable advice for general education teachers working with students with disabilities in math. She emphasizes the importance of early collaboration between general-ed and special-ed teachers, advocating for a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to math interventions. Throughout the conversation, Karp discusses strategies like using multiple representations in math instruction, focusing on the strengths of students rather than their perceived weaknesses, and ensuring that Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are written with concepts and skills. She shares practical methods to engage and empower students to succeed in math, using examples such as the "Whole School Agreement" and success stories from students she's worked with. We love to hear from our listeners! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Twitter (@Accesspractical) or Instagram (@Practical_Access). Karp’s bio and publications: https://www.mathbykarp.com/publications

In this episode of Practical Access, hosts Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines explore innovative educational tools with guest Bryan Dean, an innovation specialist at CAST. They focus on Corgi, a free digital graphic organizer designed to enhance student collaboration, engagement, and critical thinking. Built on a Google platform, Corgi includes features such as embedded teacher instructions, multimedia integration, and flexible permissions. Whether for middle school science projects or other subjects, Corgi’s versatility helps students visualize their ideas, collaborate, and easily revise their work. Bryan also shares how Corgi can be utilized by parents, homeschoolers, and pre-service teachers to foster deeper learning. If you're seeking a user-friendly, flexible tool to organize thoughts and lessons, this episode offers a fantastic introduction to Corgi’s potential in the classroom and beyond. We love to hear from our listeners! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on Twitter (@Accesspractical) or Instagram (@Practical_Access). Corgi website: https://corgi2.cast.org/login

In today's episode, Drs. Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines have a conversation with Sarah Powell. Sarah Powell is a Professor in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin and Associate Director of the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk. Her research, teaching, and service focus on mathematics, particularly for students who experience mathematics differently. Powell discussed practical tips for teaching mathematics to students with disabilities. She emphasized the importance of understanding students' foundational math skills and using research-validated practices like vocabulary development and mathematical representations. Powell highlighted the need for extensive practice, suggesting that students who struggle with math may require 10 to 30 times more practice opportunities than typical students. She also mentioned the potential of AI in enhancing math education but stressed the importance of conceptual understanding. Powell concluded by reassuring new teachers that anyone can be an effective math teacher with the right knowledge and strategies. We love to hear from our listeners! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Twitter (@Accesspractical) or Instagram (@Practical_Access). Powell’s bio: https://education.utexas.edu/faculty/sarah_powell/ Here's a free word-problem intervention developed by Powell and colleagues: https://www.piratemathequationquest.com/ Here is a website with many great free and downloadable math resources: https://mathspiral.com/ Powell’s Recent Publications: Rojo, M., Gersib, J. A., Powell, S. R., Shen, Z., King, S. G., Akther, S. S., Arsenault, T. L., Bos, S. E., Lariviere, D. O. & Lin, X. (2024). A meta-analysis of mathematics interventions: Examining the impacts of intervention characteristics. Educational Psychology Review, 36(9). doi:10.1007/s10648-023-09843-0. Powell, S. R., Moore, C. E., Vander Tuin, M., Fall, A.-M. & Roberts, G. (2024). Investigation of the initial feasibility of extended mathematics read-alouds used by kindergarten teachers. Frontiers in Education, 9(1379491). doi:10.3389/feduc.2024.1379491. Lin, X. & Powell, S. R. (2024). Development of a fraction vocabulary measure. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 49(3), 138–147. doi:10.1177/15345084231202407. Lariviere, D. O., Powell, S. R. & Akther, S. R. (2024). A synthesis of pre-algebraic reasoning interventions for students with mathematics difficulty in grade 6 through 8. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 39(1), 4–17. doi:10.1177/09388982231222179.

In today’s episode, Jeremy Janousky shares his personal journey and how he reached new heights. Tune in as he shares his educational experience and his personal passion with Drs. Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines.

"If you don't have a plan, you don't know where you're going." In today's episode, Drs. Rebecca Hines and Lisa Dieker sit down with Life Coach, Mr. Mark Jacobs. Tune in as he provides us with practical tips that show us the importance of making sure that we all have a roadmap in life.