EmpowerED

By Maryland State Bar Association

EmpowerED, a podcast produced by the Maryland State Bar Association’s Leadership Academy Class of 2024-2025, aims to bridge the gap between families and school systems in Maryland by educating parents... more

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FAQs about EmpowerED:

How many episodes does EmpowerED have?

The podcast currently has 5 episodes available.

EmpowerED episodes:

May 08, 2025A Parent's Perspective
In the fourth and final episode of EmpowerED, the Leadership Academy Fellows discuss the special education process with an expert education attorney, who is also a parent of children with IEPs, and a former educator.

Hosts
Golnaz Alemousavi
Faith Deredge

Guest
Francis Shefter, parent, former educator, and current principal attorney of Shefter Law, P.A. in Rockville Maryland. Contact information for Shefter Law and other resources can be found here: https://shefterlaw.com
Stress-Free IEP YouTube videos: www.youtube.com/@shefterlawpa
...more
27min
May 08, 2025Intersection of Special Education and School Discipline
In the third episode of EmpowerED, the Leadership Academy Fellows discuss the intersection of special education rights and the school disciplinary system with two experienced attorneys, who represent students in school disciplinary proceedings.

Hosts
Michele Hall
Kathleen Godwin

Guests
Alyssa Fieo, education attorney at Office of the Public Defender in the Juvenile Protection Division
https://m.facebook.com/MDSuspensionRep/
...more
48min
May 08, 2025Focus from the Classroom
In the second episode of EmpowerED, the Leadership Academy Fellows interview special education experts within the school system to understand the IEP and 504 process from an educator’s perspective.

Hosts
Maame Nyamekye
Bishop Sakyi
Jessica Ledingham

Guests
Ama Presno, special education teacher in Prince George's County Public Schools and manager of kindergarten and third grade special education programs
Dr. Cavena Griffith, principal of Harriet R. Tubman Elementary School in Gaithersburg, Maryland
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52min
May 08, 2025Special Education 101: An Introduction to IEPs and 504s
Special Education 101: An Introduction to IEPs and 504s
In the first episode of EmpowerED, the Leadership Academy Fellows speak with two special education legal experts, who discuss the basics of special education rights with a focus on the IEP and 504 processes.

Hosts:
Samantha Boylan
Albert Stancil

Guests
Megan Berger, attorney for students with disabilities and Legal Director at Disability Rights Maryland
Mallory Legg, disability rights attorney and director of Project H.E.A.L. (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law) program of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute
...more
52min
May 08, 2025 EmpowerED- Trailer
...more
6min

FAQs about EmpowerED:

How many episodes does EmpowerED have?

The podcast currently has 5 episodes available.