EmpowerED

Maryland State Bar Association
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EmpowerED, a podcast produced by the Maryland State Bar Association’s Leadership Academy Class of 2024-2025, aims to bridge the gap between families and school systems in Maryland by educating parents on their child’s rights in the classroom; providing tools to advocate effectively for their children’s educational needs, and highlighting that disabilities affecting learning impact families across all backgrounds.

Episodes

  1. 05/08/2025

    A Parent's Perspective

    In the fourth and final episode of EmpowerED, the  Leadership Academy Fellows discuss the special education process with an expert education attorney, who is also a parent of children with IEPs, and a former educator. Hosts Golnaz Alemousavi Faith Deredge Guest Francis Shefter, parent, former educator, and current principal attorney of Shefter Law, P.A. in Rockville Maryland. Contact information for Shefter Law and other resources can be found here: https://shefterlaw.com Stress-Free IEP YouTube videos: www.youtube.com/@shefterlawpa

    26 min

  2. 05/08/2025

    Intersection of Special Education and School Discipline

    In the third episode of EmpowerED, the Leadership Academy Fellows discuss the intersection of special education rights and the school disciplinary system with two experienced attorneys, who represent students in school disciplinary proceedings. Hosts Michele Hall Kathleen Godwin Guests Alyssa Fieo, education attorney at Office of the Public Defender in the Juvenile Protection Division https://m.facebook.com/MDSuspensionRep/

    47 min

  3. 05/08/2025

    Focus from the Classroom

    In the second episode of EmpowerED, the Leadership Academy Fellows interview special education experts within the school system to understand the IEP and 504 process from an educator’s perspective. Hosts Maame Nyamekye Bishop Sakyi Jessica Ledingham Guests Ama Presno, special education teacher in Prince George's County Public Schools and manager of kindergarten and third grade special education programs Dr. Cavena Griffith, principal of Harriet R. Tubman Elementary School in Gaithersburg, Maryland

    52 min

  4. 05/08/2025

    Special Education 101: An Introduction to IEPs and 504s

    Special Education 101: An Introduction to IEPs and 504s In the first episode of EmpowerED, the Leadership Academy Fellows speak with two special education legal experts, who discuss the basics of special education rights with a focus on the IEP and 504 processes.  Hosts: Samantha Boylan Albert Stancil Guests Megan Berger, attorney for students with disabilities and Legal Director at Disability Rights Maryland Mallory Legg, disability rights attorney and director of Project H.E.A.L. (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law) program of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute

    51 min

  5. 05/08/2025

    EmpowerED- Trailer

    EmpowerED

    5 min

Trailer

About

EmpowerED, a podcast produced by the Maryland State Bar Association’s Leadership Academy Class of 2024-2025, aims to bridge the gap between families and school systems in Maryland by educating parents on their child’s rights in the classroom; providing tools to advocate effectively for their children’s educational needs, and highlighting that disabilities affecting learning impact families across all backgrounds.

Information

  • Creator
    Maryland State Bar Association
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    EmpowerED