About the Guest(s): Audri Gomez has been in the field of special education since 2000. She has worked as a resource specialist and in self-contained classrooms in the K-12 setting for the Newport Mesa Unified School District. Currently, she is an adjunct professor for the Department of Special Education at Chapman University. Aja McKee has worked in the early childhood field since 1996. She teaches early childhood special education for the Capistrano Unified School District and is a certified special education advocate. She also works part-time as an adjunct professor with Cal State University Fullerton in the special education department.
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas interviews Audri Gomez and Aja McKee, educators with experience in the classroom and teacher training. They discuss the Disability Studies program at Chapman University and its emphasis on disability as a social construct. The guests explain how disability studies challenges the medical model of disability and focuses on the strengths and needs of individuals with disabilities. They also discuss the history of the disability rights movement and the importance of inclusive practices in education.
The second part of the episode features an interview with educator and author Re Marzullo. She discusses her book “Sped” and its sequel “Sped 2,” which follow the story of Jack Parker, an eighth-grader with dyslexia navigating the complexities of being in special education. Marzullo shares her inspiration for writing the books and how they have changed her perspective on special education. She also discusses the positive response she has received from both general education and special education students.
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/YMK7dMosCpW9P5vWabSMymsMoHc
Key Takeaways:
- Disability studies challenges the medical model of disability and focuses on disability as a social construct.
- The disability rights movement emerged in the 1960s and was influenced by the civil rights movement.
- Inclusive practices in education are important for ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to education and are valued members of the classroom community.
- “Sped” and “Sped 2” are books that provide insights into the experiences of students in special education and have been well-received by both general education and special education students.
- Writing the books helped the author see students as individuals rather than labels and has fostered empathy and understanding among readers.
Resources:
Chapman Disability Studies: https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/interdisciplinary-minors/disability-studies-minor.aspx
Re Marzullo’s website: https://www.commonlit.org/blog/author/aurelia/
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