A Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special education

Robin Fabiano, Abigail Hanscom, Angela Smagula
  • 4.6 (48)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

In this podcast, we hope to share information, lessons learned, interviews with VIPs in the field of special education. Join Robin Fabiano, Abby Hanscom and Angela Smagula as they bring diverse viewpoints and some humor to an otherwise serious topic. 

  1. 3D AGO

    Team Meetings Gone Wild!!!

    Sometimes, people lose their cool in Team meetings!! Listen in while Angela, Robin and Abby discuss strategies you can use to manage these moments in real time, intervene beforehand so they don't happen at all and follow up if they do.  Teachers and Parents are human beings and stress and anxiety can take over during heated moments - listen in for a conversation about approaches, responses and big picture frames to consider before your next team meeting to support everyone's participation and input. BIG NEWS! The Pod is going national - on 11/13 Angela/Robin/Abby will be the featured speakers for the November webinar of the National Association of Special Education Teachers. Check out their information here. Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

    35 min

  2. OCT 31

    Throw Back episode!

    Sorry! We couldn't record this week, so please enjoy a repeat episode in which Robin and Angela discuss steps that can be taken when a student case starts to get litigous.  We'll be back next week!  Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

    30 min

  3. OCT 24

    Out of District Monitoring

    Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss Massachusetts' new Out of District Placement monitoring process and form.  Here is a link to the newly shared form (September 2025) from the MADESE if you want to follow along. Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

    34 min

  4. OCT 17

    Thinking About Behavior

    X Listen in as Robin and Abby discuss common misconceptions about classroom  management and behavioral support. These great ideas are based on a recent Eduptopia article "7 Classroom management mistakes and the research on how to fix them" which can be found  HERE. Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

    31 min

  5. OCT 10

    That's a Big Adjustment!

    Starting this September, Massachusetts has changed how it calculates the required days for the provision of an IEP. Join Abby, Robin and Angela as they discuss the recent changes to the 30/45 and annual IEP timelines.  Special Education Policy Memo SY2024-2025 — 6 Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

    41 min

  6. OCT 3

    Students Earn More Than Money With Class Jobs

    Join Robin, Abby and Angela as they discuss the importance of Class Jobs! Here are some traditional and unique ideas from this Edutopia Article. Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

    38 min

  7. SEP 26

    Math Matters

    The IDEA requires that specially designed instruction be informed by research based methodologies.  (E) supporting high-quality, intensive preservice preparation and professional development for all personnel who work with children with disabilities in order to ensure that such personnel have the skills and knowledge necessary to improve the academic achievement and functional performance of children with disabilities, including the use of scientifically based instructional practices, to the maximum extent possible; (Section 1400) and  Section 1414: Evaluations, Reevaluations, IEPs Congress added new language to the definition of IEPs in Section 1414(d). IEPs must include "a statement of the special education and related services and supplementary aids and services, based on peer-reviewed research . . ." This week Abby, Angela and Robin discuss research based strategies to support students struggling with elementary math using a practice guide summarizing research based strategies that are proven to have a positive impact. Here is the article Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

    40 min

  8. SEP 19

    Angela Loves a Good Handbook

    Join Robin and Angela as they discuss the importance of the school handbook!  Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

    38 min
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4.6
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In this podcast, we hope to share information, lessons learned, interviews with VIPs in the field of special education. Join Robin Fabiano, Abby Hanscom and Angela Smagula as they bring diverse viewpoints and some humor to an otherwise serious topic. 

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