A Sense of Texas

New Season, New Song

Going into our 5th season and our 81st (!!!!) episode we thought it was time to mix things up a bit. Last year we tasked on campus musical masterminds the Semi-Modulars with creating a new theme for our show and we're so happy to share it with you for the first time. We talk with band members Brandon, Destiny, Heather, Joel, and their fearless leader Daniel Butler about the creative process and how they came up with the new song.

We love the Semi-Modulars here at A Sense of Texas and hope you do too. To check out all the albums they've created over the years visit https://thesemimodulars.bandcamp.com/ and download all your favorites. 

Dr. Michele McDonnall - NRTC

With graduations happening all around the country it's an important time to think about the skills our students are taking with them as they transition to adulthood. We thought this was the perfect time to bring on Dr. Michele McDonnall from the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision to talk about the work they do to help people with blindness and low vision get into the workforce.

For more information on the NRTC please visit their website at https://www.blind.msstate.edu/

Also, with graduations upon us that means we're rapidly approaching summer and we'll be taking a break. Our next episode will arrive September 15. Enjoy your summer!

Birdability

Virginia Rose, Founder and President of Birdability, along with Freya McGregor, Director of programs and outreach, and an occupational therapist, discuss the group's goals and their personal journeys that led them to birding. 

Through education, outreach and advocacy, Birdability works to ensure the birding community and the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everybody.

SCASB 2022

TSBVI competes in athletics and performing arts with other schools for the blind in Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Louisiana through the South Central Association Schools for the Blind. As we just wrapped up our annual track and performing arts event, we wanted to debrief with one of our Athletic Directors, Coaches, and two of our Senior female athletes.

Dr. Rona Pogrund

Dr. Rona Pogrund is the Coordinator of Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments Program in the Department of Special Education, College of Education at Texas Tech University. She provides instruction, mentoring, and guidance to those seeking to become a teacher of students who are visually impaired (TSVI) and those working on a Masters or Doctorate degree in our field. Her 49 years in blindness education make her an expert in teacher training, professional engagement, and all the things that make our profession great.

Mike Hudson - APH Museum

Housing one of the foremost collections of materials and technology used to advance the education of blind, low vision and, Deafblind people in the world, the Museum at the American Printing House for the Blind is showing how the contributions of the past can create better outcomes in the future. APH Museum director Mike Hudson is here to tell us about some of the exhibits on display at the museum and what they have planned for the future. 

To find out more about the museum go to https://aphmuseum.org/ to plan your visit. 

Marnee Loftin

When evaluating a student to determine eligibility for special education and to develop an educational plan, it's critical to take into account a student's accommodations specific to their visual impairment. Marnee Loftin has been a leader in this work for quite some time. We're lucky to have her on the podcast.

Here ares some links to many other great resources available online:

Additional podcasts to check out:

https://www.thetestingpsychologist.com/258-assessment-with-visually-impaired-kids-part-1-w-dr-carol-evans-marnee-loftin-dr-terese-pawletko-may-nguyen-and-stephanie-herlich/

https://www.thetestingpsychologist.com/260-assessment-with-visually-impaired-kids-part-2-w-dr-carol-evans-marnee-loftin-dr-terese-pawletko-may-nguyen-and-stephanie-herlich/

Video Resource from Improving Literacy:

https://improvingliteracy.org/videos/visual-impairment-and-dyslexia-video-series

Curriculum Resources from TSBVI: https://www.tsbvi.edu/tsbvi-publications

Matt Schultz - TSBVI Residential Program

Some of the most vital learning at a residential school happens outside of the classroom. TSBVI Residential Director Matt Schultz joins us to discuss how creating a positive environment in our dorms can facilitate learning in the classroom as well as at home with their families. Also joining us are Darius, Pedro, and Michael from the TSBVI Wildcat Wrestling team to tell us about how their experiences with athletics are helping them progress in their journey to adulthood. 

Planning Behavior Intervention - Part 2

Our conversation continues as Lynne McAlister and Deanna Peterson provide their professional perspectives on children's behavior, and what can sometimes be misinterpreted as misbehavior. Later in the episode we are also joined by James Coleman, who shares a relatable parental view on the matter!

Free behavior guidance tool can be found here: https://www.tsbvi.edu/tsbvi-publications#publications

Further discussions about the topic: Coffee Hour

Lynne and Deanna's contact info:

mcalisterl@tsbvi.edu

petersond@tsbvi.edu

Planning Behavior Intervention

Lynne McAlister and Deanna Peterson from TSBVI Outreach discuss planning behavior intervention for children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind. In today's episode, we dive deeper into the complexities behind what behavior means, misconceptions, and helpful perspectives to keep in mind.

 

Free behavior guidance tool can be found here: https://www.tsbvi.edu/tsbvi-publications#publications

Further discussions about the topic: Coffee Hour

Lynne and Deanna's contact info:

mcalisterl@tsbvi.edu

petersond@tsbvi.edu

 

Monique Coleman

Monique Coleman (soon to be Dr. Coleman) is a longtime educator in the field of blindness education and an adjunct professor with San Francisco State University. Her recent article on Paths to Literacy titled, "Culturally Responsive Literacy Education with Learners Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired," caught our attention and inspired us to invite her on our show. She mentions many other leaders in education with a focus on diversity and inclusion, so be sure to listen close.

 

Article Link: https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/blog/culturally-responsive-literacy-education-learners-who-are-blind-or-visually-impaired

Paul Olson - Bill of Rights

Families of children who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision value resources to better understand, and have conversations regarding, their child's educational program. Paul Olson, Superintendent of North Dakota Vision Services/ School for the Blind, initiated the creation of such a document and is going to tell us all about it. "A Bill of Rights for All Children with Visual Impairment and Their Families" was co-authored by Paul, Emily, and Janie Blome. Check out the below links to view the resources discussed yourself.

 

Bill of Rights in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese:

https://aerbvi.org/resources/publications/

Abbreviated Bill of Rights for families:

https://familyconnect.org/blog/raising-a-child-who-is-blind-and/my-version-of-the-bill-of-rights/

 

Lastly, we will not be posting an episode for January 1st. In the meantime if you have questions or want to suggest topics for future episodes, feel free to contact us at podcast@tsbvi.edu. Otherwise, we'll see you back here in one month!

Dr. Cary Supalo

Teaching and learning STEM subjects is difficult for everyone, and for students with disabilities it can be a greater challenge due to lack of access. Today Dr. Cary Supalo joins us to discuss his experiences as a blind student, and how educators can help encourage students who are blind to get interested in STEM.

Family Engagement

In this episode, Emily will explore what it means to work in family engagement. You'll hear from Edgenie Bellah and Yolanda Shaw, some of the hurdles educators and families both struggle with, and how we all ultimately hope to keep the child's best interests at heart. Expert Katherine Houck will also provide further information about family engagement opportunities.

TSBVI Family Lynx

Few things are more helpful to the parent of a blind, visually impaired, or deafblind child than being able to connect with other parents who know the joy, and also the struggles, of their situation. Amy Potts, Barbara Knighton, and Patty Bushland join us this month to talk about how they started TSBVI Family Lynx and how it's helping parents of students at TSBVI and how parent organizations across the country are doing the same.