PaTTANpod

Computer Science Camp and Camp Inspiration, Youth experience: what to expect – engagement activities for youth and families Click here for more episodes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCkBP2csbOssi3rUsfM-yQT1DVGUihxg2 Also available in podcast format on iTunes and Google Play Music iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pattanpod/id1436873041?mt=2 Google Play Music https://play.google.com/music/m/Iwyth5xyq26f67f4qrzktutbxke?t=PaTTANpod Host Seth Chamberlain Producer John Ragsdale Technical Support Michael Esposito Production Assistant Lisa Smith PaTTAN Leadership Team Angela Kirby Chris Cherny Sergio Anaya Corey Dickey Animation Media Solutions Thank You Tom Miller Lauren Walker Hunter Steinitz Special thank you to Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), Pennsylvania Department of Education, and Bureau of Special Education Autism, Secondary Transition, CS, Helix Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

Dr. Julie Esparza Brown joins PaTTANPod to explore how educators can improve literacy and language outcomes for English learners (ELs) with disabilities by embedding culturally and linguistically appropriate instruction into existing multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). Dr. Brown introduces the PLUSS Model, a framework designed to infuse evidence-based second language acquisition practices within each MTSS tier and provide tailored support for dually identified students, and a tool that educators can use reflect on their implementation of PLUSS strategies. Click here for more episodes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCkBP2csbOssi3rUsfM-yQT1DVGUihxg2 Also available in podcast format on iTunes and Google Play Music iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pattanpod/id1436873041?mt=2 Google Play Music https://play.google.com/music/m/Iwyth5xyq26f67f4qrzktutbxke?t=PaTTANpod Project LEE: https://www.projectlee.org/overview/ Framework for instruction (Google DOC): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K2spcfOdUKl6Jo6Xh1obT5cmDlEocqOoWOb5pkQ5d7E/edit?usp=sharing Dr. Julie Esparza Brown is a professor of Special Education at Portland State University. Prior to joining PSU, she worked in public schools as a special, bilingual, and bilingual special education teacher and a school psychologist. Her teaching, research, and publications focus on the intersection of language, dis/ability, race, and culture, and she is a passionate advocate for equity in education. Additionally, she regularly consults and presents nationally and internationally on these issues. Dr. Brown recently completed a four-year term as an elected school board member for the largest school district in Oregon. Currently, she is Principal Investigator of a personnel preparation grant through the Office of English Language Acquisition to prepare diverse special educators and to improve literacy outcomes for multilingual students. Dr. Brown recently completed work as Principal Investigator on a model demonstration grant funded through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Programs that investigated culturally and linguistically responsive literacy interventions within an MTSS framework for English learner students at-risk for or with disabilities (projectlee.org). She has also been Principal Investigator on four federal personnel preparation grants. Her current co-authored book, Supporting English Learners in the Classroom: Distinguishing Language Acquisition from Learning Disabilities (Haas & Brown, 2019) is available through Teachers College Press. Host Sara Frey Producer John Ragsdale Technical Support Michael Esposito Production Assistant Lisa Smith PaTTAN Leadership Team Angela Kirby Chris Cherny Sergio Anaya Corey Dickey Animation Media Solutions Thank You Dr. Julie Esparza Brown Special thank you to Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), Pennsylvania Department of Education, and Bureau of Special Education Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

The 2025 Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference offers the opportunity for unifying Pennsylvania's educators, community partners, families, and youth to explore insights and tools that bridge knowledge and practical application. This conference will bring together Pennsylvania’s educators, community partners, families, and youth to explore the latest insights, strategies, and tools that bridge the gap between knowledge and practical application. Sessions will have a specific focus on autism, sensory disabilities, secondary transition, and students with complex instructional needs. Participants will gain tangible strategies to enhance teaching practices, drive student success, and adapt to the evolving demands of today’s classrooms. Visit our website at PaTTAN - Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Educators and Partners, July 28-31, 2025 Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

Dr. Robert Balfanz joins PaTTANpod at the 2024 MTSS & PBIS Advanced Implementation Forum to discuss how schools can use the new ABCs: Agency, Belonging, and Connectedness as part of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to nurture joy and support learning in school communities. Click here for more episodes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCkBP2csbOssi3rUsfM-yQT1DVGUihxg2 Also available in podcast format on iTunes and Google Play Music iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pattanpod/id1436873041?mt=2 Google Play Music https://play.google.com/music/m/Iwyth5xyq26f67f4qrzktutbxke?t=PaTTANpod MTSS (PaTTAN) https://www.pattan.net/Evidence-Based-Practices/Multi-Tiered-System-of-Support MTSS and PBIS Advanced Implementation Forum: https://www.pattan.net/Training/Conferences/MTSS-PBIS-Advanced-Implementation Everyone Graduates Center: https://new.every1graduates.org/ The New ABCs (Cross State High School Collaborative) https://www.hsredesign.org/new-abcs/ Robert Balfanz is a Distinguished Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, Center for Social Organization of Schools, and Director of the Everyone Graduates Center. His work focuses on translating research findings into effective school improvement strategies and educational reforms. He conducts research and organizes improvement efforts on secondary school redesign, improving high school graduation and college readiness rates, student success systems, chronic absenteeism, and instructional improvements in high-poverty schools. Currently, Dr. Balfanz leads the GRAD Partnership, a collaborative effort of non-profits and school districts to scale the use of high-quality student success (on-track) systems. He also works with the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS), a public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, AmeriCorps, and the Everyone Graduates Center. NPSS works with over 100 non-profits and provides evidence-based student supports (mentors, tutors, success coaches, post-secondary advisors, and wraparound supports) to schools and communities most impacted by the pandemic. PBS Frontline featured Dr. Balfanz’s work in The Education of Omarina, and he is the recipient of the Alliance for Excellent Education’s “Everyone a Graduate Award” and the Joan Lipsitz Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. In 2013, he was named a “Champion for Change for African American Education” by the Obama White House. Dr. Balfanz holds a B.A. in history from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Chicago. Host Sara Frey Producer John Ragsdale Technical Support Michael Esposito Production Assistant Lisa Smith PaTTAN Leadership Team Angela Kirby Chris Cherny Sergio Anaya Corey Dickey Animation Media Solutions Thank You Dr. Robert Balfanz Special thank you to Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), Pennsylvania Department of Education, and Bureau of Special Education Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

PaTTAN conference planning team would like to record a Promo (commercial) for the upcoming 2025 Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference to highlight bringing together three conferences into one super conference. Will complete webisode information beta 2 form on teams.

Accessible educational materials (AEM) are crucial for ensuring that students with disabilities can access the same content as their peers. PaTTANpod goes behind the scenes of AEM at the Lancaster Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 (IU13) with accessible materials specialist, Sarah Ditzler. Sarah shares how common types of accessible educational materials are made and provides practical tips for educators and administrators who support students with print access disabilities. Click here for more episodes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCkBP2csbOssi3rUsfM-yQT1DVGUihxg2 Also available in podcast format on iTunes and Google Play Music iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pattanpod/id1436873041?mt=2 Google Play Music https://play.google.com/music/m/Iwyth5xyq26f67f4qrzktutbxke?t=PaTTANpod PaTTAN Accessible Educational Materials: https://www.pattan.net/Evidence-Based-Practices/Accessible-Educational-Materials PaTTAN Blind/Visual Impairment (BVI) Initiative: https://www.pattan.net/Evidence-Based-Practices/BlindVisual-Impairment PaTTAN Short Term Loan program: https://www.pattan.net/short-term-loan/ IU13 BVI Services: https://www.iu13.org/students-families/special-ed/special-ed-programs/blind/ Sarah is passionate about accessibility. A couple summers when she was on summer break from Messiah College, Sarah worked as a paraprofessional 1:1 for the IU13's Extended School Year program. After graduating from Messiah and working in Music Education in a couple different capacities, Sarah realized her heart for working with and advocating for students with physical, academic, and behavioral needs. While working with a student with low vision, she learned Braille and learned about accommodating materials for blind and visually impaired students. In her current role at the IU13, Sarah works with other staff to produce braille, large print, and accessible electronic documents for K-12 blind and low vision students. Host Sara Frey Producer John Ragsdale Technical Support Michael Esposito Production Assistant Lisa Smith PaTTAN Leadership Team Angela Kirby Chris Cherny Sergio Anaya Corey Dickey Animation Media Solutions Thank You Sara Ditzler Special thank you to Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), Pennsylvania Department of Education, and Bureau of Special Education Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

Katherine McLaughlin, a certified sexuality educator, joins PaTTANpod to discuss the importance of sexuality education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Katherine addresses misconceptions about sexuality education and provides practical tips for educators and parents to be allies and advocates. Click here for more episodes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCkBP2csbOssi3rUsfM-yQT1DVGUihxg2 Also available in podcast format on iTunes and Google Play Music iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pattanpod/id1436873041?mt=2 Google Play Music https://play.google.com/music/m/Iwyth5xyq26f67f4qrzktutbxke?t=PaTTANpod https://www.elevatustraining.com/ Elevatus Training https://amaze.org/ AMAZE https://ncil.org/resources/sex-ed-for-individuals-with-i-dd/ National Council on Independent Living Katherine McLaughlin, M.Ed., AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Trainer for Elevatus Training. She has been a sexuality educator and trainer for over 25 years. As a national expert on sexuality and intellectual and developmental disabilities, she trains professionals, and parents as well as individuals to become sexual self-advocates, and peer sexuality educators. Host Sara Frey Producer John Ragsdale Animation Media Solutions Special thank you to Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), Pennsylvania Department of Education, And Bureau of Special Education Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

Ben Hartranft joins PaTTANpod at the 2024 Pennsylvania Department of Education annual conference, where he was a featured speaker. As the president of Benergy1 Presentations, Ben advocates for autism awareness and acceptance by sharing his personal experiences. The episode also features Ben’s brother, Dan, and his parents, Sandy and Glenn, who share perspectives on navigating the complexities of autism as a family.

Transitioning from youth into adulthood can be very challenging, especially for students with disabilities. Members of the PaTTAN Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) team join PaTTANpod to discuss the importance of engaging students in transition planning, as well as resources and support available from the YES team. Click here for more episodes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCkBP2csbOssi3rUsfM-yQT1DVGUihxg2 Also available in podcast format on iTunes and Google Play Music iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pattanpod/id1436873041?mt=2 Google Play Music https://play.google.com/music/m/Iwyth5xyq26f67f4qrzktutbxke?t=PaTTANpod Natasha Fletcher, Youth Engagement Specialist Natasha Fletcher is a Youth Engagement Specialist at PaTTAN East with over a decade of experience helping individuals with behavioral challenges and mental health concerns. Specializing in Behavioral Health management with youth Natasha uses that experience to advocate for individuals with disabilities along with providing the knowledge to expand and defend their rights while supporting self-advocacy. By focusing on the youth, she understands that no significant learning can occur without first building a significant relationship. Through lived experience as a child navigating the foster care system and an adult who struggles with ADHD herself currently, are reasons why she gets up in the morning and fight for those that are unable or have difficulties fighting for themselves. Hayley Penn, Youth Engagement Specialist Hayley Penn is a Youth Engagement Specialist for PaTTAN Central. She has a background in Behavioral Health and Psychology and many years of experience working with young people throughout her time as an employee at Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. As a Youth Engagement Specialist, her mission is to help provide a seamless transition for students with disabilities from high school to college or the workforce. Her goal is to advocate for support services that allow students to participate in competitive employment and higher education. She provides technical assistance and training as part of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and PATTAN. Hunter Steintz, Youth Engagement Specialist Hunter Steinitz, MDiv. (Master of Divinity) is a Youth Engagement Specialist with the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) in the West. Hunter is a self-advocate and speaker and brings her experience of living with a rare genetic skin condition. She has spent over a decade working with children and young adults through her church and disability communities and continues to connect and engage with those communities. Hunter's current areas of focus at PaTTAN include Secondary Transition, Employment, Family Engagement, and more. Host Sara Frey Producer John Ragsdale Animation Media Solutions Special thank you to Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), Pennsylvania Department of Education, And Bureau of Special Education Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

PaTTAN AI team would like to record a NAC 2024 Promo (commercial) for the upcoming conference to highlighting the session strands for Families and highlight Children's Institute

PaTTAN AI team would like to record a NAC 2024 Promo (commercial) for the upcoming conference to highlighting the session strands for Educators, Related Service Providers, BCBA.

To promote cross-department and cross-agency collaboration, HELIX, the annual conference celebrating high expectations for students with low-incidence disabilities, provided special opportunities and incentives for teams of attendees in 2023. Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

To promote cross-department and cross-agency collaboration, HELIX, the annual conference celebrating high expectations for students with low-incidence disabilities, provided special opportunities and incentives for teams of attendees in 2023. Michaelle Khatchadourian and Mary Therese (MT) Sabatino share how participating in HELIX supports self-reflection and collaboration. https://www.pattan.net/Training/Conferences/HELIX-Conference Michaelle has been an occupational therapist for 35 years. She owns her own business and has contracted with the district for 11 years providing a variety of related services. Michaelle’s areas of interest includes sensory integration, use of assistive technology to support function, and mentorship. Michaelle loves her job and enjoys learning and collaborating with all disciplines to support the students. MT is a school-based speech, language pathologist who has been practicing in the field for over 15 years. She has special interests in the areas of language and literacy development, assistive technology, advocacy for families of children with disabilities, mentorship, and interprofessional practice. MT is active in the Pennsylvania Speech-Language Hearing Association (PSHA) and co-chair of the schools committee. Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

To promote cross-department and cross-agency collaboration, HELIX, the annual conference celebrating high expectations for students with low-incidence disabilities, provided special opportunities and incentives for teams of attendees in 2023. Sydney Evans and Stephanie Brennan describe their experiences at HELIX and the benefits of collaboration among classroom teachers and special education teachers and practitioners. https://www.pattan.net/Training/Conferences/HELIX-Conference Sydney Evans is a first grade teacher at Whitemarsh Elementary School in the Colonial School District. She attended the HELIX conference for the first time with her colleagues, Stephanie, Michaelle, and MT. She found this conference to be meaningful and informative even as a general education teacher due to having the opportunity to teach students with exceptionalities in my classroom setting. Sydney enjoyed having this experience and loved getting to meet new people and share new findings. Stephanie has been a life skills teacher for more than 15 years. She is passionate about helping students achieve their highest level of autonomy and independence through collaboration and creative problem solving. Stephanie has led her district in inclusive practices and community engagement, running a student- staffed restaurant out of her classroom for 10 years. Areas of expertise include child and family advocacy, behavioral support strategies, and interprofessional practice. Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

To promote cross-department and cross-agency collaboration, HELIX, the annual conference celebrating high expectations for students with low-incidence disabilities, provided special opportunities and incentives for teams of attendees in 2023. Shannon McMahon and Lorendana Martinez describe their experiences at HELIX and their ongoing efforts facilitating collaboration among Special Education and English Language Development educators and practitioners to support English language learners with disabilities. HELIX conference: https://www.pattan.net/Training/Conferences/HELIX-Conference Shannon McMahon is currently a Supervisor of Special Education for Bensalem Township School District. Mrs. McMahon has worked in the field of Special Eduction for over 25 years. This year Mrs. McMahon is working closely with the team at Bensalem High School in focusing on support for English Language Learners who have complex support needs. Loredana Martinez, MS, CCC-SLP is a bilingual speech-language pathologist for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit .She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Pennsylvania state licensure in Speech-Language Pathology, and Teacher of Speech and Language Impaired certification in Pennsylvania. Loredana has 32 years experience working in brain injury rehabilitation, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care, and school-based settings. She has been a member of the BCIU’s Multilingual Learner team since 2007. Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

Rebecca Schillack and Kathleen Mease discuss how attending HELIX, the annual conference celebrating high expectations for students with low incidence disabilities, impacted their efforts to support English language learners with disabilities. Rebecca and Kathleen attended the 2023 HELIX conference as part of a team from Bensalem Township School District through a conference program promoting cross-department and cross-agency collaboration. HELIX conference: https://www.pattan.net/Training/Conferences/HELIX-Conference Miss Schillack is a Special Education teacher at Bensalem Township School District teaching students, within the Life Skills program, Functional Language Arts and Reading Strategies. Miss Schillack has worked as a Special Education Teacher for the Bensalem Township School District for 15+ years. She co-teaches a class with Ms. Mease, the English Foundations' teacher at Bensalem High School. The class includes students that have English language needs in addition to their individual disabilities. Kathleen Mease is an ELD teacher from Bensalem High School. She primarily teaches newcomer English Language Learners, but also co-teaches ELLs who are within the Life Skills program. She works closely with a Life Skills teacher to help these students with reading strategies. Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

Natalie Steltzer describes her ambitions to become an educational interpreter and experience providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation at HELIX, the annual conference celebrating high expectations for students with low incidence disabilities. Natalie attended the 2023 HELIX conference as part of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education’s Attract Prepare Retain (APR) initiative. PaTTAN Deaf and Hard of Hearing Initiative: https://www.pattan.net/Disabilities/Deaf-and-Hard-of-Hearing HELIX Conference: https://www.pattan.net/Training/Conferences/HELIX-Conference Natalie is a Junior majoring in American Sign Language and English Interpreting and minoring in Early Childhood Education at Mount Aloysius College. She is working towards becoming an educational interpreter. Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

Missy Garber and Kathleen Lopez discuss how HELIX, the annual conference celebrating high expectations for students with low incidence disabilities, enhances ongoing collaboration among educators and practitioners involved in professional mentoring. https://www.pattan.net/Training/Conferences/HELIX-Conference Missy Garber, Ph.D. is an itinerant teacher of students with visual impairments with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit in Norristown. She was formerly the Director of the Teacher of the Visually Impaired Preparation Program and Co-Director of the National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment at Salus University where she currently serves on the Blindness and Low Vision Studies Advisory Board. She also serves on the Pennsylvania Advisory Committee on Education of Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired (PACES-BVI). Dr. Garber has published several peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters and presented at regional and national conferences. In addition to PA certification as a TVI, Dr. Garber is a Utah-endorsed teacher of the deaf-blind. She is also the parent of a young adult who is blind. Kathleen’s educational credentials include: a Master’s Degree in Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and a Dual Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Education for Special and Elementary Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Also, she is a Certified Reading Specialist (K-12), Certified Elementary Educator (K-6), and Certified Special Educator of Visually Impaired (Birth-age 21). Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

In this segment of a two-part episode, Deafblind education consultant Kaycee Bennett shares about her experience attending and presenting at HELIX, the annual conference celebrating high expectations for students with low incidence disabilities. Deafblind education consultant Kaycee Bennett shares about her experience attending and presenting at HELIX, the annual conference celebrating high expectations for students with low incidence disabilities. Texas DeafBlind Project: txdeafblindproject.org PaTTAN Deaf-Blind Initiative: https://www.pattan.net/Disabilities/Deaf-Blind HELIX Conference: https://www.pattan.net/Training/Conferences/HELIX-Conference Kaycee Bennett is a certified teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing and also has a graduate certificate and master’s degree in deafblind education from Texas Tech University. She worked as a classroom teacher and an itinerant teacher for 10 years before joining The Texas Deafblind Project in 2019. Kaycee is one of the authors of the publication The Essential Tools of the Trade for Teachers of Students who are Deafblind. Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net

In this segment of a two-part episode, Rachel Collins and Hilary Collins share perspectives from HELIX 2023, the annual conference celebrating high expectations for students with low incidence disabilities. Rachel and Hilary also discuss resources available to educators and practitioners who support students who are Deafblind. Texas DeafBlind Project: txdeafblindproject.org PaTTAN Deaf-Blind Initiative: https://www.pattan.net/Disabilities/Deaf-Blind HELIX Conference: https://www.pattan.net/Training/Conferences/HELIX-Conference Rachel began her career as a teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing in 1998. She quickly fell into deafblind education and served as a self-contained teacher for students who are deafblind for 10 years and as an itinerant teacher of students who are deafblind for 12 years after that. She joined the Texas Deafblind Project in 2022 and is currently one of the Deafblind Education Consultants on the team. Hillary Keys is the Early Childhood Deafblind Education Consultant for the Texas Deafblind Project. She has worked as a classroom teacher, itinerant TVI/TDB, and Deafblind Specialist at a regional and statewide level. She is passionate about finding the best ways for children, especially those with complex needs, to interact, play, and experience joy. While she has diverse educational interests, Active Learning approach and early childhood development and learning are areas of strength. Hillary is the past chair of the Multiple Disabilities and Deafblindness Division of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI) and was also recognized by Texas AER with an award for her work in Active Learning. Visit our website at http://www.pattan.net