Special Ed Rising; No Parent Left Behind

Mark Ingrassia
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This former Special Ed classroom teacher is on his own with a microphone, to share some of the magic he's learned in his 36+ years in the field. Stories, strategies, and a true grasp for what life can be like for parents and caregivers of Disabled children are waiting here! Witnessing, first hand, your challenges in the home has invigorated my desire to share what I know and to be a cheerleader for your lives and the lives of your child using mindfulness as a fulcrum to success. You are not alone and your life matters. Join me as we let go and grow together!

  1. 1D AGO

    Bev Johns on Behavior, Emotional Regulation, and Advocacy in Special Education

    This interview explores the challenges and strategies in special education, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual needs, emotional regulation, and advocacy for teachers and parents. Bev Johns shares her extensive experience working with children with behavioral and emotional challenges, offering practical insights for educators and caregivers. keywordsspecial education, emotional regulation, advocacy, behavior management, teaching strategies, parent support, teacher burnout, trauma-informed education key topics Behavior as CommunicationEmotional Regulation TechniquesAdvocacy for Teachers and Parents guest nameBev Johns titles The Power of Individualized Education: Strategies for SuccessEmotional Regulation and Behavior Management in Schools Sound Bites "Behavior is a form of communication.""Recognize and reinforce good behavior.""Children need to learn self-regulation early." Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background of Mark 00:43Bev Johns and the Learning Disabilities Association 03:26Challenges in Education and Advocacy for Parents 06:04Bev's Journey in Education and Early Experiences 08:47The Importance of Listening and Support in Education 11:38Teacher Demoralization and Systemic Issues 14:36Behavior as Communication and Emotional Regulation 17:17The Role of Arts in Education and Expression 20:00Conclusion and Final Thoughts 28:47Meeting Children's Needs 32:09Understanding Behavioral Challenges 36:41Effective Behavior Management Strategies 40:23Mindfulness and Self-Regulation 43:50Dealing with Meltdowns 46:25Transitioning and Preparing for Change 50:43Building Consistency in Education 53:56Empowering Children to Communicate Needs ResourcesLearning Disabilities Association of IllinoisMindfulness in Schools ProjectDe-escalation Strategies for Teachers (Book) Guest linksWebsite: https://bevjohns.org/LinkedIn: Beverly JohnsFacebook: Beverly Johns https://specialedrising.com/ Ray''s Respite Care GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

    1h 1m

  2. APR 20

    The Reality Gap: Disability, Race, and Who Gets Left Behind”

    🧠 Episode OverviewThis week’s episode takes a deeper look at what advocacy really means when families are navigating both disability and systemic bias. While a scheduled guest appearance was postponed, the conversation opened the door to something that demands attention now—how race, language, and systemic inequities shape special education experiences for families. Through real-world examples and research-backed insights, this episode breaks down how bias shows up in evaluation, diagnosis, and support—and why advocacy for many families becomes a constant fight for both services and basic understanding. 🔑 Key Topics CoveredWhat advocacy actually looks like inside IEP meetingsHow bias influences evaluation, diagnosis, and placement decisionsDisparities affecting Black students in special educationBarriers faced by Latino families with limited English proficiencyThe gap between awareness and meaningful systemic changeWhy parents are often forced into reactive advocacyWhat Black families are doing right—and what systems are missingAction steps for building equitable, culturally responsive systems 💬 Key TakeawaysAdvocacy is not just paperwork—it’s standing your ground in systems that may already be misreading your child.Bias in interpretation—not just policy—drives inequitable outcomes.Awareness alone is not enough; systems must be redesigned with families, not for them.Parents are often expected to operate at a high level without being given the training or support to do so.True equity requires shifting responsibility from families to systems. 📊 Research & SourcesDrexel University Autism InstituteKey insight: Structural racism impacts evaluation, diagnosis, and support for Black childrenMDPIGibson, L., Keyes, S., & Cartledge, G. (2026)Black Students in Special Education: A Historical and Current Account Toward ChangeFindings:Disproportionate identification in subjective disability categoriesHigher likelihood of restrictive placementsUnequal access to quality instruction and resourcesContinued disparities despite Individuals with Disabilities Education ActSPARK for Autism ResearchFinding: ~28% of Black parents report race impacted their child’s diagnostic experienceOrganization for Autism ResearchInsight: Strength-based, identity-affirming approaches improve outcomes for Black autistic youthAdditional supporting literature referenced in discussion:Black parental involvement in special education is critical but under-supportedSystemic barriers limit parent advocacy effectivenessDisparities in access to experienced teachers, rigorous curriculum, and inclusive settings 🎯 Call to ActionIf this episode resonated with you: Share it with another parent or educatorStart a conversation in your school or communityAsk: Are we partnering with families—or expecting them to figure it out alone? 🌱 Resources & LinksFollow: @specialedrisingWebsite: specialedrising.comEmail: specialedrising@gmail.com 💙 Support Ray’s Respite Care A space designed to provide relief and joy for families navigating special needs. (Link available in episode description) 🎧 Closing MessageTake one small step this week. You’re doing better than you think. And remember—no parent gets left behind. Specialedrising.com https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-missio=

    18 min

  3. APR 13

    It’s Worth the Climb: Ty Gipson on Resilience, Mindset, and Defying the Odds

    primary goalInspiration and resilience building summary Ty Gipson shares his extraordinary journey through health challenges, including multiple organ transplants and living with type 1 diabetes. His story highlights the power of mindset, small positive steps, and the 'no options' philosophy to overcome adversity and inspire others. keywords resilience, mindset, health challenges, organ transplants, diabetes, positivity, motivation, no options philosophy key topics Resilience through health challengesThe 'no options' philosophy in adversityThe importance of mindset and small stepsThe role of gratitude and humor in overcoming difficulties takeaways Small daily growth can lead to profound life changesSharing your story can inspire and help othersThe mind is a muscle that can be trained for positivityCelebrating small wins encourages continued progress guest nameTy Gipson key frameworksNo Options Philosophy action items Identify one small positive step to take todayPractice daily visualization of your goalsCelebrate small wins to build momentumShare your story to inspire others titles From Diabetes to Donor: Ty Gipson’s Journey of ResilienceThe No Options Mindset: Turning Adversity into Opportunity Sound Bites "Life is short and precious""Grow a little each day""It's worth the climb" Chapters 00:00Introduction and Technical Difficulties 00:00The Importance of Sharing Stories 00:45Ty's Journey and Adversity 01:04Transforming Adversity into Positivity 02:43Mindset Shifts Through Challenges 04:25Addressing Different Abilities and Growth 06:59Tools for Self-Discovery and Mindful Parenting 08:43Three-Step Process for Overcoming Adversity 11:48The Power of Positive Thinking 14:14Finding Humor in Difficult Times 15:25Ty's Health Journey and Organ Transplants 20:52Facing the Unknown: A Life-Changing Decision 23:30The Journey of Recovery: From Darkness to Light 24:44Gratitude and New Beginnings: The Impact of Organ Donation 26:12Resilience Through Adversity: The No Options Mindset 31:45Finding Balance: The Importance of Rest and Self-Care 37:05Teaching Resilience: Celebrating Small Wins 39:44Sharing Your Story: The Power of Connection Resourcestygipson.comNo Options with Ty GipsonTexas Children's HospitalShakti Gawain's Visualization Book Guest linksWebsite: https://tygipson.com/Podcast: No Options w/ Ty Gipson: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-options-with-ty-gipson/id1827303025 Host link: specialedrising.com Go Fund Me - Ray's Respite Care: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

    45 min

  4. APR 6

    How You Show Up Matters: A Message to Dads

    In this powerful and personal episode, Mark speaks directly to dads—through the lens of his own relationship with his father—to explore how the way we show up for our children shapes their identity, their confidence, and ultimately their life path. Reflecting on the complexities of growing up with a father whose moods and expectations left a lasting impact, Mark shares an honest message: your child is not a finished product. They are learning, developing, and looking to you as their model. This episode challenges dads to rethink how they interpret behavior and respond in the moment. What if your child isn’t being defiant—but struggling? What if the issue isn’t the behavior itself, but the story you’re telling about it? Mark breaks down how shifting from reaction to intentional response can transform your relationship with your child—and prevent the kind of lasting emotional scars many carry into adulthood. You’ll also hear practical strategies for making this shift, even if it doesn’t come naturally: How to reframe your child’s behavior as communicationThe power of the pause in high-stress momentsWhy separating behavior from identity mattersHow curiosity can replace correctionThe importance of pre-deciding your responsesWhy doing your own internal work is essential For fathers of children with special needs, this message becomes even more critical. Behavior is often communication, and your ability to stay regulated can help your child find their way back from overwhelm. Mark also addresses a topic that often goes unspoken—the imbalance in parenting load. In many households, especially those raising children with additional needs, one parent (often the mother) carries the majority of the mental and emotional weight. This episode challenges dads to step out of the role of “helper” and into true co-ownership—sharing responsibility, learning their child deeply, and being present not just physically, but emotionally. Because this isn’t just about parenting—it’s about partnership, leadership, and legacy. Key Takeaways: Your child is a learner, not a learned personBehavior is often communication, not defianceYour reaction is shaped by your own experiences and triggersA pause can change everythingConnection fuels cooperationYou don’t have to do this alone—but you do have to take ownershipSupporting your partner is part of supporting your child At the heart of it all is one message: Your child may not remember every mistake they made—but they will remember how you responded to them when it mattered most. Connect with Mark: Website: specialedrising.comPodcast: Special Ed Rising: No Parent Left Behind!Email: specialedrising@gmail.comSocial: @specialedrising If this episode resonated with you, share it with another dad who needs to hear it.

    22 min

  5. MAR 30

    From Advocacy to Impact: Raja Marhaba’s Fight for Exceptional Learners

    Raja Marhaba shares her inspiring journey as a mother of two twice-exceptional children, navigating the complex special education system, advocating for her kids, and founding The Jonathan Foundation to support families with learning disabilities. Her story highlights the challenges, legal battles, and the importance of parental advocacy in securing appropriate education and services. Keywordsspecial education, advocacy, learning disabilities, IEP, legal battles, parental empowerment, twice exceptional, education reform, mental health, Raja Marhaba Key Topics Navigating the special education systemLegal battles for children's rightsThe importance of parental advocacy Guest Name Raja Marhaba Website https://www.thejonathanfoundation.org titles The Fight for Education Rights: Raja Marhaba's JourneyHow One Mother Changed the System for Twice-Exceptional Kids Sound Bites "What message are you sending to a 10-year-old?""He tore a two-inch hardcover book apart""Knowledge is power in advocacy" Chapters 00:00Navigating the Special Education System 18:15The Impact of Advocacy on Families 25:41Empowering Parents and Children in Education 27:19Understanding Standardized Testing and Its Implications 29:39Building Trust Between Parents and Schools 31:32Empowering Parents in IEP Meetings 33:00Navigating the Challenges of Special Education 35:34The Impact of Legislation on Special Education 37:59Mental Health and Its Role in Education 41:38The Need for Comprehensive Support in Schools 45:42The Jonathan Foundation: Advocacy and Support for Families Specialedrising.com Ray's Respite Care: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

    57 min

  6. MAR 24

    Ignorance Isn’t Leadership: What We’re Really Saying About Our Kids

    🧠 Episode OverviewThis brief but powerful episode takes a direct look at recent public comments about learning disabilities—and why they matter far beyond politics. Mark speaks from decades of experience in special education to challenge harmful narratives and reframe what dyslexia really means for individuals, families, and society. At its core, this episode is about one thing: the message we send to kids when we misunderstand how they learn. 🎯 Key TakeawaysDyslexia is not a measure of intelligenceIt impacts language processing—not cognitive ability, leadership, or potential.What looks like struggle is often strategy in progressMany individuals with dyslexia rely on tools like audiobooks, verbal processing, and summaries—and go on to thrive.Words from leaders carry real consequencesPublic statements about disability don’t stay in politics—they shape how children see themselves.The real issue is not disability—it’s ignoranceMisunderstanding learning differences leads to stigma, lowered expectations, and lost opportunities.Kids internalize what the world tells themWhen they hear limits, they believe limits. When they’re supported, they rise. 🧩 What Dyslexia Actually ImpactsDecoding (sounding out words)Reading fluencySpelling and written expressionProcessing speed with language 👉 And at the same time, many individuals demonstrate: Strong verbal reasoningCreativity and innovationBig-picture thinkingLeadership and interpersonal strengths 🔥 Core MessageThis episode challenges the idea that learning differences define capability—and calls on parents, educators, and advocates to push back against narratives that diminish individuals with disabilities. Your brain works differently. Your challenges are real. And your potential is not up for debate. 🧭 Notable Context DiscussedPublic comments made by Donald Trump regarding Gavin Newsom and dyslexia (March 2026)Newsom’s lived experience with dyslexia and his adaptive strategiesResponses from Newsom and Jennifer Siebel NewsomThe broader impact of stigmatizing language on individuals with learning disabilities 📚 References & ResourcesYoung Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of DiscoveryBen and Emma’s Big HitInternational Dyslexia Association – Research and resources on dyslexiaYale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity – Science and strengths-based perspective on dyslexia 🎧 Final ThoughtIgnorance may be loud… but it doesn’t have to be what leads. specialedrising.com https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

    12 min

  7. MAR 16

    Part 2: From Trauma to Transformation: Dr. Joey Weisler on Teaching with Heart

    What happens when an educator refuses to treat students like data points? In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Mark speaks with educator, researcher, and author Dr. Joey Weisler about trauma, resilience, and what it really means to show up for students. Joey shares his deeply personal journey—from witnessing the aftermath of the Parkland school tragedy to navigating a difficult first year of teaching that ultimately led to his dismissal. What initially felt like failure became the turning point that shaped his mission: to build classrooms centered on connection, presence, and emotional engagement. Today, Joey teaches literature and composition at the college level while developing his HEART Framework, a model focused on creating learning environments where students feel seen, heard, and empowered. This episode explores how trauma, compassion, and purposeful teaching can reshape education—and why learning should never be the result of compliance. In This EpisodeMark and Joey discuss: Joey’s experience teaching near the Parkland tragedy and how it shaped his understanding of student traumaWhy many schools struggle to address emotional realities in the classroomThe moment Joey was unexpectedly dismissed from his first teaching job—and why it became the best and worst day of his careerHow storytelling and literature can help students process emotions and life decisionsWhy Joey arranges his classrooms in a circle to create presence and communityThe concept of “cognitive presence” vs. cognitive overloadWhy showing up and caring may be the most important thing a teacher can doHow educators can balance academic expectations with emotional developmentJoey’s upcoming book on the HEART Framework Key TakeawaysStudents remember how teachers make them feel more than what they teach.Trauma affects learning—even when it’s not visible.Presence and care often matter more than instructional techniques.Classrooms that allow students to explore meaning and identity create deeper engagement.Education systems focused solely on data risk losing the humanity of learning. Memorable Quotes“Learning should not be a result of compliance.” “When you teach to the heart instead of just the brain, everything changes.” “Students don’t remember every lesson—but they remember the teachers who cared.” “Instead of cognitive overload, we need cognitive presence.” About Dr. Joey WeislerDr. Joey Weisler is an educator, researcher, and writer focused on trauma-informed teaching and emotionally engaged learning environments. He teaches literature and composition at the college level and hosts the podcast Classroom Narratives: Healing & Education. He is currently developing the HEART Framework, a model designed to help educators create classrooms centered on connection, presence, and meaningful learning. Resources & LinksListen to Part 1 here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-through-the-unknown-advocacy-trust-and/id1775740636?i=1000748265220 Listen to my interview on Joey's podcast, Classroom Narratives: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-through-the-unknown-advocacy-trust-and/id1775740636?i=1000748265220 🌐 Website josephweisler.com 🎬 The Throne in the Classroom (Short Film & Trailer) 🎧 Joey’s Podcast Classroom Narratives: Healing & Education 📘 Resources Available on Joey’s Website 10 Steps to Trauma-Informed TeachingEmotionally Equipped Educator Conflict Styles QuizHEART Framework (forthcoming book) Connect with Mark🎙️ Podcast: SER: No Parent Left Behind! Website: specialedrising.com If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a fellow educator or parent, and leave a review to help more people discover the show.

    33 min

  8. MAR 9

    Part 1: Teaching Through Trauma: Dr. Joey Weisler’s Story of Purpose and Perseverance

    In Part 1 of this powerful two-part conversation, Mark sits down with Dr. Joey Weisler to explore the deeply personal experiences that shaped his path as an educator. Before Joey ever had his own classroom, he found himself at the center of a community tragedy. While substitute teaching at a middle school next to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the Parkland school shooting, he and his students were forced into lockdown as the devastating events unfolded nearby. Joey shares what that moment was like inside the classroom, the emotional weight educators carry during crisis, and how witnessing trauma within a school community changed the way he understood teaching, safety, and the emotional lives of students. The conversation also explores the difficult reality many teachers face when students reveal deep struggles—and how systems sometimes fail to respond with the urgency and compassion those moments require. This episode is an honest and moving discussion about trauma, responsibility, and the human side of teaching. It’s also the beginning of a larger story—one that continues in Part 2, where Joey shares how these experiences ultimately reshaped his career and inspired a new vision for education. In This EpisodeJoey’s connection to the Parkland tragedy and what it was like teaching during that momentHow trauma can shape a teacher’s mindset before their career even beginsThe emotional responsibility teachers feel when students confide in themThe gap that sometimes exists between student needs and school systemsWhy being present for students can matter more than any lesson planThe early experiences that would eventually influence Joey’s philosophy of teaching 🎙️ Listen to Part 1 now, and don’t miss Part 2 of this powerful conversation. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Connection 01:40Perseverance in Education 05:01The Impact of Trauma on Teaching 11:56Navigating the Aftermath of Tragedy 16:28Experiencing the Shooting 21:38The Aftermath and Support Systems 28:32Navigating Trauma in Education 31:26The Impact of Personal Experience on Teaching Joey Weisler's WebsiteThe Throne in the Classroom (Book & Trailer)Classroom Narratives Podcast10 Steps to Trauma-Informed Teaching (Guide)Emotionally Equipped Educator (Book)Heart Framework (Upcoming Book) Dr Weisler linksWebsite Listen to my interview on Joey's podcast, Classroom Narratives: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-through-the-unknown-advocacy-trust-and/id1775740636?i=1000748265220 specialedrising.com https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

    36 min
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This former Special Ed classroom teacher is on his own with a microphone, to share some of the magic he's learned in his 36+ years in the field. Stories, strategies, and a true grasp for what life can be like for parents and caregivers of Disabled children are waiting here! Witnessing, first hand, your challenges in the home has invigorated my desire to share what I know and to be a cheerleader for your lives and the lives of your child using mindfulness as a fulcrum to success. You are not alone and your life matters. Join me as we let go and grow together!

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