David P Hurford, PhD is a true gem, offering wonderfully comprehensive texts and curricula for children, parents, and educators; and making navigating the world of dyslexia easier!

Learn more about Dr. Hurford at https://www.jettpublishing.net/authors/about-the-author and get your copy of his books at the same link!

Enjoy this episode from season 5, to prepare you for next week's episode about some books written by David Hurford!

original notes from Season 5:

Dr. Hurford is doing great things in the world, studying dyslexia and teaching kids with dyslexia as part of his non-profit organization!

You can hear all about that as well as some books he’s published (that I just had to get my own copies of, so expect to see another episode on those in the future!) in this week’s podcast episode!

To learn more about his organization and his books, go to: https://www.jettpublishing.net/authors/about-the-author

Evan Connell is an Australian sustainable technologist and systems architect who has spent over 30 years helping schools, governments, and community organisations extend the life of their technology while improving reliability and control. He is the creator of Sprint Central, a lightweight operating system designed to keep existing school computers usable for years longer than traditional platforms allow.

Email Evan Connell: Sales@SprintCentral.com

https://sprintcentral.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanconnell/

After taking a summer break that stretched into a winter break that stretched into a mid-winter break…

I’m finally back at putting out new episodes of the podcast! This week is a soft intro into what to expect this season, and how I plan to avoid the problem of last season.

For more information on how to work directly with me (looking over IEPs, preparing yourself for IEP meetings, getting your kid onto an IEP, etc; or working on how to help your child with dyslexia or dyscalculica succeed, email Kimberlynn@DecodingLearningDifferences.com!

Are you dyslexic?

Is your child?

Someone you know well?

Chances are that you answered yes to at least one of those! And yet, for most people, dyslexia is still a mystery! Myths still abound, and kids with dyslexia often feel alone and different.

Feeling alone and different leads to lower self-confidence and can further impact academic success as well as friendships and navigating social situations.

Kids need to know that they’re not alone, and actually far from it!

Adults need to know some essential facts and truths about dyslexia.

@Dyslexia_Diaries on Instagram aims to do just that! They’re busting myths and sharing stories and doing what they can to educate the public and ensure that kids don’t feel alone with their dyslexia.

Listen to this week’s podcast with Dyslexia Diaries!

Then be sure to share your own stories of dyslexia!

Restorative Justice is about accountability and making repairs. It’s about emotional intelligence and building relationships. It’s about investing in people with time and patience.

Listen in to this week’s podcast to learn more about Restorative Justice in Education including what it can look like, and how it can change a school’s disciplinary system to a system with redemption built-in.

To help you with some notes you may want to take while listening:

In this episode, Nicholas Bradford shares 4 questions that drive a restorative justice conversation:

1. What happened?
2. What was the thinking?/ What were you trying to accomplish?
3. Who was impacted and how?
4. How do we move forward?

He also shared 5 overarching principles of Restorative Justice:

1. Conflict Happens; let’s talk about it
2. Engage all stake holders
3. Empower the author and the victim
4. Value Empathy; Connection over shame
5. Develop Agency

Additionally, (although this is not the official layout of a Restorative Justice system) an RJ system typically includes:

• Preventative Work:
  • Relationship- building
  • Self- Reflection
  • Social and Emotional Intelligence
• Intervention Work:
  • Self-Reflection
  • Accountability
  • Recognizing Impact
  • Making it Right (if needed)

Learn more about Nicholas Bradford’s work at: https://www.nationalcenterforrestorativejustice.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/nationalcenterforrestorativejustice/

Are Microschools the Answer?

Summer break is here or nearly here. Are you thinking ahead to next school year?

You may be worrying about if your child will lose progress over the summer and you may be looking for ways to maintain their educational levels. (Hit reply and let me know if you’d like to discuss tutoring options)

OR

You may be wondering if you need to change schools for your kiddo. Maybe that school they’re at has not been serving them well and you’re just so tired of the fight.

Seeing schools fail to meet the needs of kids breaks my heart every day. I know those educators went into the field to help kids, but things are complicated and now they’re fighting with parents over what the kids actually need and no one feels like they can trust the others.

Have you heard of microschools? A microschool may be just what you’re looking for to solve the educational difficulties your kiddo is facing. Small communities of parents and teachers working together to best meet the needs of the kids? Sign me up!

Check out Changemaker Education here! https://www.changemakereducation.com/

Video Version available at DecodingLearningDifferences.com

In previous seasons, we have talked EXTENSIVELY about motivation and because it is such a critical part of a child’s academic success and overcoming learning challenges, I’ll always keep bringing it up again and again!

This week we’re diving into a quick and easy way to motivate a child. It won’t work for every child every time. And it won’t work if your mindset going into it isn’t clear and motivating.

And yet, overall, it’s such a simple action to take to increase learning!