SENIA Happy Hour Lori Boll

Overview:

Today host Lori Boll speaks with Robyn Reagan who is the Executive Director for Circle of Friends. Circle of s a school inclusion program for students

who experience social isolation due to disability or other challenges.

Through weekly lunches and meaningful activities students develop

compassion and the understanding that they are more alike than different.

CoF promotes a culture of acceptance and genuine friendship.In our show today, Robyn shares about this fantastic program and the research behind it. By the end you’ll know how you can become a Circle of Friends advisor in your school. And you’ll have HOPE. and that HOPE is for our future and also an acronym which you’ll hear more about later.

Connect

Website

Bio
Robyn has been improving systems and supports for children, youth and families for over three decades. Her first role model was Annie Sullivan, "Teacher" and friend to Helen Keller. Robyn is a lifelong advocate for children who struggle to make their gifts and needs known.


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Overview:

Today, host Lori Boll speaks with the Chief Global Education Officer for the Special Olympics, responsible for global education and youth leadership.Jacqueline Jodl, PhD.  Lori and Jackie discuss the history of the Special Olympics, the evidence that backs up these programs that lessens bullying and bias, and how we, in our international schools, can get more involved. With a program like Unified Sports, we can create inclusive opportunities.

Connect

Website
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast:

Social Inclusion of Students With Intellectual Disabilities: Global Evidence From Special Olympics Unified Schools

Bio
Jacqueline Jodl, PhD, is the Chief Global Education Officer for the Special Olympics,  responsible for global education and youth leadership. Previously, Dr. Jodl was an Associate Professor at the University of Virginia’s School of Education and Executive Director at the Aspen Institute leading the National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development. Dr. Jodl's life is dedicated to helping organizations like Special Olympics that help children and young people who advocate for a more inclusive world where differences are celebrated, not feared.


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Overview:

On today’s podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with long time SENIA friend and Executive Functioning expert, Sarah Ward. Sarah and Lori discuss Processing Speed, and how having either slow or fast processing speed can impact our everyday lives, what teachers or families may recognize in the classroom or home, and how we can best support these challenges. This is a must-listen for all of us. Enjoy!

Connect

Website
Twitter
Instagram

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast:

Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up: Help Your Child Overcome Slow Processing Speed and Succeed in a Fast-Paced World- By Ellen Braaten, PhD

Bio
Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP has over 25 years of experience in the treatment of executive dysfunction. Sarah is an internationally recognized expert on executive function and presents seminars on the programs and strategies she has developed with her Co-Director Kristen Jacobsen. Their 360 Thinking Executive Function Program received the Innovative Promising Practices Award from the National Organization CHADD. She has presented to over 1400 public and private schools in the United States, Canada and Europe.

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Overview:

Today host Lori Boll speaks with Chris Nikic and his father, Nic. Chris set a new world record by being the first person with Down Syndrome to complete a 140.6-mile Ironman. He is also the first person with Down Syndrome to be sponsored by Adidas. His mission is to inspire others like him to pursue their dreams and goals.

His greatest achievement is showing others how shifting your focus from your disabilities to your abilities and pursuing your dreams with an unwavering tenacity, a positive attitude and a no-quit grit can help anyone achieve their goals and dreams.

Connect with Chris

Website

Resources mentioned on today’s show:

Book: 1% better: The Chris Nikic Story
GoFund Me for Chris’ Ironman in Hawaii
Special Olympics - Watch the documentary about Chris on the homepage
Adidas Runner 321

Bio
Chris Nikic set a new world record by being the first person with Down Syndrome to complete a 140.6-mile Ironman. His mission is to inspire others like him to pursue their dreams and goals.

His greatest achievement is showing others how shifting your focus from your disabilities to your abilities and pursuing your dreams with an unwavering tenacity, a positive attitude and a no-quit grit can help anyone achieve their goals and dreams.


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Overview:
In today’s show, host Lori Boll speaks with Julie Skolnick. Julie  is a thought leader and expert in the field of twice exceptionality a.k.a. 2e or gifted with a learning difference. As Founder of With Understanding Comes Calm, Julie passionately guides parent, mentors 2e adults and trains teachers on how to bring out the best and raise self confidence in 2e learners. Lori and Julie discuss what it means to be 2E and how it is essential for educators to understand the needs of these learners so they can be successful both in and out of school

Connect with Julie

Website
Instagram
Facebook:

With Understanding Comes Calm
Let's Talk 2E Parents
Let's Talk 2E Adults
Let’s Talk 2E Teachers’ Lounge


Twitter
Linkedin
Book Julie for a free 20 minute consultation
Blog Hyper Attention Activity Deficit

Resources mentioned on today’s show:

Definition of Gifted
“Gifted & Distractible” monthly newsletter

Bio
Founder of With Understanding Comes Calm, LLC, passionately guides parents of gifted and distractible children, mentors 2e adults, trains educators and advises professionals on how to bring out the best and raise self-confidence in their 2e students and clients.

Julie serves as Secretary to the Maryland Superintendent’s Gifted and Talented Advisory Council, is an advisor for the Masters of Education Program for the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity, is the Maryland liaison for Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), is a Committee member for the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and serves as an advisor to “The G Word” feature documentary currently in production.

Julie produces Let’s Talk 2e! virtual conferences, hosts the Let’s Talk 2e! Parent Empowerment Series, maintains the free listing service, 2eResources.com, and publishes “Gifted & Distractible,” a free monthly newsletter.

A frequent speaker and prolific writer, Julie is also the mother of three twice exceptional children who keep her on her toes and uproariously laughing.

Subscribe to “Gifted & Distractible” monthly newsletter at www.WithUnderstandingComesCalm.com, find resources at www.2eResources.com and learn more about our conferences and parent series at www.LetsTalk2e.com. Follow Julie on social media: Facebook: WithUnderstandingComesCalm, Let’s Talk 2e – Parents, Let’s Talk 2e – Teachers’ Lounge, Instagram: @LetsTalk2e, Twitter: @JulieSkolnick, LinkedIn: Julie Rosenbaum Skolnick, and YouTube: Let’s Talk 2e.


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Overview:

On today’s show, Lori speaks with our most recent recipient of SENIA’s World Changer award; Courtney Wong. Courtney is a high school student in California and is the founder and president of Tutors4Stars, a youth organization that provides free learning opportunities for neurodiverse students through online private and group lessons. Courtney gained experience as a volunteer by teaching art and music classes locally as well as operating the San Diego chapter for the non-profit organization SN Inclusion. So she’s a busy high school student, and she hopes to continue supporting the neurodiverse community in their academic and personal growth as she gets older. Courtney is here today to tell us about her advocacy work and her inspiration behind starting this magnificent program.

Connect with Courtney

Website: Tutor4Stars
Website: SN Inclusion
Instagram

Resources mentioned on today’s show:
SENIA Youth

SENIA Certification Coursework

Bio
Courtney attends Torrey Pines High School and will graduate with the class of 2023. She is the founder and president of Tutors4Stars, a youth organization that provides free learning opportunities for neurodiverse students through online private and group lessons. Courtney gained experience as a volunteer by teaching art and music classes locally as well as operating the San Diego chapter for the non-profit organization SN Inclusion. She hopes to continue supporting the neurodiverse community in their academic and personal growth. In her free time, Courtney likes to figure skate and watch figure skating competitions in-person and remotely. She also enjoys listening to music and learning new things.


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