Emotional Intelligence: Improving the Climate in Special Education

Guest: Dr. Joanne Panopoulos, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education & Student Services
Host: Bob Barrows
Podcast: The Golden Ticket to Improve Special Education

Episode Summary

In this powerful episode, Bob sits down with Dr. Joanne Panopoulos, a respected special education leader with 33+ years in the field, to explore Emotional Intelligence—the fourth element in the Climate domain of the Clarity & Order for Special Education Success framework.

Together, they unpack what it truly means to lead with emotional awareness, courage, and compassion in modern special education systems. Joanne draws from her experiences across Illinois districts—highlighting her SEL roots, leadership growth, and her district’s ongoing journey to deepen staff wellness and emotional balance.

If you’ve ever wondered how to sustain yourself as a leader, how to build trust with families, or how to create a districtwide culture that supports staff and students, this conversation is a must-listen.

Key Topics Covered

✔ Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Priority

• Why EI is foundational to special education leadership
• How emotional awareness reduces reactivity and improves decision-making
• Strategies for managing the “roller coaster” of administrative work

✔ The Evolution of SEL to Staff Wellness

• How Joanne’s SEL work in a P–22 district shaped her leadership
• The power of having an SEL coach and model to guide implementation
• Why adults must learn, model, and live SEL competencies—not just teach them

✔ The Five CASEL Competencies (and why they matter)

• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills
• Responsible Decision-Making
   Joanne describes how she uses CASEL personally, professionally, and in districtwide training.

✔ Practical EI Strategies for Administrators

• Identifying emotions before responding
• Setting boundaries
• Separating feelings from facts (the “Q-TIP” mindset: Quit Taking It Personally)
• Using healthy routines to stay grounded
• Leading with kindness and belonging

✔ Building Districtwide Wellness Systems

Joanne details her district’s new Staff Wellness Strategic Initiative, including:

• Use of the Educator Wellness Framework
• Four wellness dimensions: Physical, Emotional, Mental, Social
• Inventorying existing resources before adding new ones
• Embedding wellness in the culture, not as a “one-off”

✔ Improving Climate for Students, Staff, and Families

• How relationship-driven practices support student regulation and belonging
• Importance of collaboration and psychological safety among staff
• Strategies for restoring trust with families
• “Listen to understand—not to defend.”

Highlighted Quotes

• “We are always becoming.”
• “If we are not taking care of ourselves, we cannot truly take care of others.”
• “Belonging shows up in the little moments—the dignity we give each student.”
• “Families thrive when we listen to understand rather than to defend.”
• “Predictable routines and boundaries are part of emotional intelligence.”

Resources Mentioned

• CASEL Framework – The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning
  https://casel.org
• Educator Wellness (Kanold & Boogren) – Framework used by Joanne’s district
• Panorama Education – School climate and SEL survey tools
• State-required climate surveys (example: Illinois 5Essentials)

Connect With Today’s Guest

Dr. Joanne Panopoulos
Assistant Superintendent for Special Education & Student Services
www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-panopoulos-ed-d

About Your Host

Bob Barrows is a national special education leader, consultant, and host of The Golden Ticket to Improve Special Education. He leads professional learning events on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts through his Clarity & Order for Special Education Success platform.

Learn more: www.bobbarrows.com

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“Today on The Golden Ticket to Improve Special Education, we’re joined by Brett Wille, Principal of Monroe High School in Washington State. Monroe High School has been recognized by the University of Washington’s Haring Center for Inclusive Education as a Demonstration Site for Inclusionary Practices, modeling co-teaching, collaborative planning, and inclusive scheduling for schools across the state.

In our last episode, Dr. David Bateman reminded us of the legal and leadership responsibilities principals carry in special education. Today, we’ll see how those ideas come alive at Monroe, and we’ll use our Clarity and Order platform of Climate, Structure, and Performance framework to understand how Brett and his team have shifted their culture, strengthened their systems, and improved outcomes for students and staff.”

 Dr. David Bateman, co-author of the newly released 4th Edition of A Principal’s Guide to Special Education, joins Bob Barrows on The Golden Ticket to Improve Special Education podcast. Together they explore the evolving role of school leaders, critical legal updates, practical strategies for supporting IEP teams, and the future of inclusive education. This episode is a must-listen for principals, administrators, and anyone committed to improving outcomes for students with disabilities.

In this episode of The Golden Ticket to Improve Special Education, Bob Barrows sits down with Dr. David Bateman, nationally recognized scholar and co-author of the 4th Edition of A Principal’s Guide to Special Education.

Dr. Bateman shares what inspired this new edition and discusses the most significant changes shaping special education today. Topics include:

• The evolving role of principals in leading inclusive schools
• Key legal responsibilities every administrator must understand
• Strategies for supporting IEP teams and building strong collaboration with staff and families
• The intersection of MTSS and special education
• Addressing staffing challenges and teacher retention
• Future opportunities and pressing challenges for school leaders

Whether you are a seasoned administrator or an aspiring principal, this episode provides actionable insights and one “golden ticket” takeaway to strengthen your leadership in special education.

In this two-part episode of The Golden Ticket to Improve Special Education, we explore the groundbreaking role of AI in special education with Sean Klamm, creator of IEP Co-Pilot, and Dr. Lori Leppert, Special Education Director from Illinois who is actively using the tool in her district.

Part 1: The Vision Behind IEP Co-Pilot

We kick things off with Sean Klamm, who shares the origin story of IEP Co-Pilot, the motivation behind its development, and how it’s reshaping the IEP process. Sean also breaks down the differences between the free and district-licensed versions, offering insights into how each can support special educators.

Other key takeaways include:
 🔹 The evolving role of AI in special education for educators and students.
🔹 How IEP Co-Pilot and AI tools are streamlining case management and IEP writing.
 🔹 Insights from collaborating with special education administrators on AI-driven solutions.
 🔹 The future of AI in enhancing efficiency while keeping the all important human touch for our students. 

Part 2: A District’s Experience with IEP Co-Pilot

In the second half, we hear from Dr. Lori Leppert, Special Education Director in Illinois, who shares her firsthand experience implementing AI-powered IEP tools in her district.

 Topics we discuss:
 ✅ Her journey from Playground IEP to IEP Co-Pilot and the key differences.
 ✅ Why her district sought an AI-driven IEP solution.
 ✅ Challenges and successes in adopting AI for special educators.
 ✅ How IEP Co-Pilot is transforming case management and scheduling.
 ✅ What her staff values most about AI-powered support.

Whether you’re a special education administrator, teacher, or advocate, this episode is packed with real-world insights on how AI can revolutionize special education services.

🎧 Listen now to learn how AI is reshaping IEP development and empowering educators!

💡 Are we protecting… or limiting?
In special education, we often prioritize safety over opportunity—but at what cost? Students with disabilities deserve the chance to take risks, learn from challenges, and grow into independent, capable adults. This is the essence of The Dignity of Risk—the belief that real learning and self-determination come from experience, not overprotection.

🎧 I’m thrilled to welcome Jared Stewart, Program Director at Scenic View Academy in Utah, to this episode of The Golden Ticket for Improving Special Education! Jared is a highly respected autism and disability advocate and a leading expert in fostering independence and preparing individuals with disabilities for real-world success.

✅ In this episode, we discuss:
🔹 How overprotection can hinder academic, social, and life skills development
🔹 The importance of allowing students to make mistakes and learn from them
🔹 Practical strategies for empowering students to become more independent
🔹 The real-world impact of embracing The Dignity of Risk

Hearing from the legend Barry Rosenberg who transformed lives for people with IDD.

Hearing from the authors of the Practical Guide to High Leverage Practices in Special Education with Dr. Ruby L. Owiny and Dr. Kyena E. Cornelius.

GUIDING QUESTIONS:
 
1.      Could you describe the journey of developing HLPs and the collaborative efforts of those involved over the past decade?

2.      What was it like for the two of you to lead the creation of the Practical Guide to High Leverage Practices in Special Education, and how did you manage such a large team of contributing authors?

3.      From your perspectives, what has implementation of HLPs looked like over time, and how is momentum building for educators in the U.S. and Canada to increase both consistency and fidelity? 

4.      Are there success stories from districts that have fully embraced the framework? 

5.      What challenges remain in the field of special education?

6.      Lastly, what advice would you give to listeners who are eager to improve special education practices and enhance their own performance?

Dr. Adrielle McCarty, renowned Autism consultant and partner of the Barrows Barometer on Special Education, joins the show to discuss Autism in our public schools!

The Harmony between various stakeholder groups impacts the Climate of Special Education.  In this episode we break down harmony between special education and general education as well as the harmony between school district and families.  

Episode 2 Show Notes and Description

1.      Optimism is the first element in the Climate category.   The Clarity and Order for Special Education Success platform includes three categories:  Climate, Structure and Performance.  Optimism is the first element of the Climate category.  By improving the level of Optimism in your special education community, you begin to improve your Climate and are on the road to becoming more successful.

2.      The connection between Self-Determination and Learned Helplessness  - There are things we can control and promote in order to increase Optimism in our Special Education community.  Building strong self-determination in our students is crucial and learned helplessness is the enemy of self-determination.

3.      Artificial Intelligence Definition of Learned Helplessness – AI lists 4 causes of Learned Helpless for people with disabilities: 1) Repeated negative experiences, 2) Reduced self-efficacy, 3) Social and Environmental Factors, and 4) Psychological impacts.

4.      How Learned Helplessness can impact stakeholders – Optimism is important for all special education stakeholders.  Learned helplessness can negatively affect special education administrators, teachers, school administrators and parents.  Learning how to be self-aware, recognize and confront pessimistic tendencies is crucial for all of us. 

5.      The antidote for Learned Helplessness – Learned Optimism is a book from Martin Seligman (1991) and he did research to analyze Learned Helplessness and how to increase Optimism for people.  Seligman draws connections to a person’s explanatory style or how they tend to explain disappointing outcomes.  His research proves that improving your explanatory style will reduce your level of learned helplessness and make you more optimistic and successful.

6.      Artificial Intelligence suggestions for Improving Learned Helplessness – 

1) Empowerment and Self- Advocacy, 2) Positive Reinforcement, 3) Skill Development, 4) Improving Accessibility, 5) Therapeutic Interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

7.      Self-Determination Teaching Models – Various resources models are discussed such as NTACT-C and Hoffman and Field as well as Simple Tips from Brooke’s Publishing. com.  The importance of involving parents/guardians is also a crucial element in the effort to teach self-determination strategies to students.

8.      The Benefits of Optimism- Optimistic leaders in our special education community pass along many great benefits to their stakeholders.  Optimistic teachers pass along many great benefits to students and parents.  Optimistic school administrators pass along many great benefits to their school communities.  Optimistic parents pass along many great benefits to their children with disabilities.  

9.      Becoming More Optimistic- Dr. Seligman’s research includes strategies for helping people become more optimistic and successful in life.  He includes ideas like confronting negative thoughts with factual and objective thoughts, questioning the validity of negative thoughts and replacing them with more balanced and realistic thoughts and challenging and framing pessimistic thoughts.  Keeping a gratitude journal can also be helpful to reinforce positive thoughts and reduce the negative ones.