{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Futah-teacher-fellows-podcast.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fspecial-education-insights-7GbAGdSS","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"Special Education: Insights","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/056df2bc-8a6c-4d8f-8e72-a5460d43dcf0/498e6b59-7b24-45ac-9885-58d0baae15c1/af50340f-4d5f-4dee-b995-85dc98c7b42e-1-105-c.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"","height":200,"description":"In this episode, hosts Ryan Rarick and Lauren Merkley sit down with Shannon Neeley, a 9th-grade math teacher who splits her time between co-teaching and \"aggressively asking a golf ball why it doesn’t understand basic geometry,\" and Sydney Whatcott, a K–2 specialist who loves exploring Utah’s outdoors. Together, they tackle the reality of supporting 7.5 million students with IEPs amidst a national teacher shortage, pulling back the curtain on what special education actually looks like today. From Shannon’s high-school co-teaching models to Sydney’s focus on early self-regulation and executive functioning, the pair debunks the myth that students with disabilities should be tucked away in separate classrooms.\n\nThe conversation moves beyond the logistics of stations and paperwork to address the harmful misconceptions and low expectations that often follow these learners. Shannon and Sydney share the heart behind their work, highlighting the deep relationships and data-driven advocacy that ensure every student has access to high standards. They leave us with a powerful reminder that \"different doesn’t mean less,\" it just means finding a unique path to success. \n\nTune in to hear why these educators believe that while the work is demanding, the students make it the most rewarding job in the building.\n"}