Collaborative Partners

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson, is joined by a few members of the Destination...Life Steering Committee, Denise Geiger, Will Renfro, and Candy Squilla for a conversation all about Destination…Life and why it matters for families. The Destination…Life Transition Conference is designed to support Texas families as they prepare their students with disabilities for life beyond high school. From early childhood through high school, families can connect with experts, explore resources, and gain practical guidance to help their students successfully transition into adulthood.

Ashley starts by asking the Steering Committee to share a little about themselves (00:41).  Later, they have a conversation centered around:

• Origins of Destination...Life (1:19)
• What is a Transition Conference? (3:52)
• Four Life Domains (5:11)
• Contributing School Districts  (7:35)
• Who is the Conference For?  (9:49)
• Accessibility and Accommodations  (11:00)
• What Sessions Should I Attend?  (13:46)
• Why Should Someone Attend the Conference (19:56)

Resources

• ⁠RSVP for Destination...Life Transition Conference⁠
• ⁠Destination...Life Transition Conference Website⁠
• ⁠Collaborative Partners Question Form⁠
• ⁠Special Programs Handbook⁠

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson, is joined by Angela Meade, Behavior Specialist for a conversation around her journey parenting a child with special needs and finding the voice to advocate for him.

Ashley starts by asking Angela to share a little about herself (00:41).  Later, they have a conversation centered around:

• The First IEP Meeting (4:23)
• Ask Those Questions  (9:44)
• Moving Through the Grieving Process (11:34)
• Finding Your Tribe (15:30) 
• Social Groups and Activities  (18:39)
• Community Resources (19:48)
• Ways to Collaborate (22:44) 

Resources

• LISD Special Programs Parent Advisory Council (SPPAC)
• Preparing for Your ARD Meeting
• Medicaid Waiver List Information
• Integral Care
• Bluebonnet Trails
• Collaborative Partners Question Form
• Special Programs Handbook

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson, is joined by Daniel Runnels, SPED Behavior Coach for a conversation around understanding communication through behavior.

Ashley starts by asking Daniel to share a little about himself (00:43).  Later, they have a conversation centered around:

• Common Misconceptions About Behavior (4:26)
• What Are Students Communication Through Behavior  (4:55)
• Supporting Students at Home (5:39)
• Ways for Families to Collaborate (10:21) 

Resources

• ⁠Making Connections Episode⁠
• ⁠Collaborative Partners Question Form⁠
• ⁠Special Programs Handbook⁠

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson, is joined by Carrie Carey and Sarah Osbourne, Special Programs Coordinators for a conversation about understanding Dyslexia and related disorders. 

Ashley starts by asking Carrie Carey and Sarah to share a little about themselves (00:40). Later, they have a conversation centered around:

• What is Dyslexia? (0:40)
• At Home Interventions (6:14) 
• Related Disorders  (8:31)
• Post-Secondary Accommodations (9:47)
• Ways for Families to Collaborate (12:03) 

Resources

• Dyslexia and Related Services Family Workshop⁠

• ⁠Collaborative Partners Question Form⁠
• ⁠Special Programs Handbook⁠
• Special Programs Parent Advisory Council

This Collaborative Partners podcast series provides a platform to continue the discussion around supporting our Special Programs families and enhancing educational experiences for every student. Our goal is to bring together voices and insights that empower families and foster collaboration among key stakeholders in the journey toward a meaningful future.

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson, is joined by Stephanie Reese, Instructional Coach, for a conversation around supporting readers.

Ashley starts by asking Stephanie to share a little about herself (00:49). Later, they have a conversation centered around:

• Tools for Engaging Your Child with Reading (2:11)
• Supporting Young Readers (4:05) 
• Supporting Readers that Struggle  (5:31)
• Navigating the School System (6:27)
• Ways for Families to Collaborate (13:15) 

Resources

• ⁠Parent Reading Intervention Website⁠
• ⁠Multi Tiered Systems of Support⁠
• ⁠All About Evaluations⁠
• ⁠Collaborative Partners Question Form⁠
• ⁠Special Programs Handbook⁠

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson, is joined by Anna Smith, Board of Trustees Member, for a conversation about school involvement and advocacy insights.

Ashley starts by asking Anna to share a little about herself (00:50). Later, they have a conversation centered around:

• Starting in LISD (4:28)
• Getting Involved at the Campus (6:08) 
• Special Programs Parent Advisory Council  (7:41)
• Navigating the School System (14:09)
• How Do I Know I'm Doing the Right Thing? (16:11)
• Advocacy (19:21)

• Life After LISD (19:21)
• Ways for Families to Collaborate (23:22) 

Resources

• ⁠⁠Special Programs Parent Advisory Council⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠LISD Board Legislative Priorities⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Collaborative Partners Question Form⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Special Programs Handbook⁠⁠

This Collaborative Partners podcast series provides a platform to continue the discussion around supporting our Special Programs families and enhancing educational experiences for every student. Our goal is to bring together voices and insights that empower families and foster collaboration among key stakeholders in the journey toward a meaningful future.

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson, is joined by Rob Snyder, Vocational Adjustment Coordinator at Rouse, for a conversation about getting students ready for future employment opportunities.

Ashley starts by asking Rob to share a little about himself and his roles in the  district (00:46). Later, they have a conversation centered around:

• Role of a Vocational Adjustment Coordinator (VAC) (4:28)
• Job Coaches (6:08) 
• Skills Needed for Employment  (7:41)
• Building Relationships (14:09)
• Workplace Accommodations (16:11)

• Destination Life Transition Conference (19:21)
• Ways for Families to Collaborate (23:22) 

Resources

• ⁠Collaborative Partners Question Form⁠
• ⁠Special Programs Handbook⁠
• ⁠Destination Life Transition Conference⁠

This Collaborative Partners podcast series provides a platform to continue the discussion around supporting our Special Programs families and enhancing educational experiences for every student. Our goal is to bring together voices and insights that empower families and foster collaboration among key stakeholders in the journey toward a meaningful future.

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson, is joined by Direction of Intervention Services, Ashley Mezger, for a conversation about the intervention services in Leander ISD.  

Ashley starts by asking Ashley to share a little about herself and her roles in the  district (00:50). Later, the Ashleys have a conversation centered around:

• What is Intervention (2:35)
• Intervention Services (3:15) 
• Multi Tiered Systems of Support  (6:03)
• Parent Questions (9:00)
• Ways for Families to Collaborate (12:53) 

Resources

• ⁠Collaborative Partners Question Form⁠
• ⁠Special Programs Handbook⁠

This Collaborative Partners podcast series provides a platform to continue the discussion around supporting our Special Programs families and enhancing educational experiences for every student. Our goal is to bring together voices and insights that empower families and foster collaboration among key stakeholders in the journey toward a meaningful future.

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson, is joined by Wiley Middle School Principal, Darla Smith, for a conversation about growing up. They discuss what families should expect as students learn to navigate middle and high school.

Ashley starts by asking Darla to share a little about herself and her roles in the  district (00:40). Later, Ashley and Darla have a conversation centered around:

• Parent Questions (3:58)
• The Shift from Elementary to Middle School (4:12) 
• Social Lens (6:55)
• Tips for Academic Success (8:56)
• Supporting Students at Home(11:38)
• Tips for Academic Success (8:56) 
• Getting Students Involved (12:55) 
• The Shift from Middle to High School (15:07) 
• Ways for Families to Collaborate (22:03)

Resources

• ⁠Collaborative Partners Question Form⁠
• ⁠Special Programs Family Resources⁠

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson, is joined by Coordinator of Evaluation and Related Services, Mary Beth Pinnell, for an informative conversation about the special education evaluation process, related services, and how families can navigate important conversations and collaborate with their child’s support team.

Ashley starts by asking   Mary Beth   to share a little about herself and her roles in the  district  (00:46). Later, Ashley and Mary Beth  have a conversation centered around:

• Special Education Evaluation Process (1:21)
• Private Evaluation Considerations (6:18)
• Parent Questions (8:29)
• Related Services (8:45)
• Explaining a Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) to Your Child (9:55)
• Talking to Your Child About their Disability (12:45)
• I Have Concerns After My ARD (14:00)
• Ways for Families to Collaborate (15:08)

Resources

• Collaborative Partners Question Form
• Special Programs Handbook