Special Ed Rising; No Parent Left Behind Podcast Por Mark Ingrassia arte de portada

Special Ed Rising; No Parent Left Behind

Special Ed Rising; No Parent Left Behind

De: 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!Copyright 2026 Mark Ingrassia Ciencias Sociales Crianza y Familias Relaciones
Episodios
  • Teaching Through Trauma: Dr. Joey Weisler’s Story of Purpose and Perseverance (Part 1)

    Teaching Through Trauma: Dr. Joey Weisler’s Story of Purpose and Perseverance (Part 1)
    Mar 9 2026

    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 Episode
    1. Joey’s connection to the Parkland tragedy and what it was like teaching during that moment
    2. How trauma can shape a teacher’s mindset before their career even begins
    3. The emotional responsibility teachers feel when students confide in them
    4. The gap that sometimes exists between student needs and school systems
    5. Why being present for students can matter more than any lesson plan
    6. The 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

    1. Joey Weisler's Website
    2. The Throne in the Classroom (Book & Trailer)
    3. Classroom Narratives Podcast
    4. 10 Steps to Trauma-Informed Teaching (Guide)
    5. Emotionally Equipped Educator (Book)
    6. Heart Framework (Upcoming Book)

    Dr Weisler links
    1. Website

    specialedrising.com

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission
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    36 m
  • Navigating Special Education Law with Frances Shefter, Esq.

    Navigating Special Education Law with Frances Shefter, Esq.
    Mar 2 2026

    This episode features Frances Shefter, a seasoned special education attorney, discussing the intricacies of special ed law, advocacy, and how parents can effectively navigate the system to secure the best outcomes for their children. Topics include legal rights, the evaluation process, predetermination, and when to seek legal help.

    keywordsspecial education law, IEP, advocacy, legal rights, education attorney, parent rights, IEP process, independent educational evaluation, legal compliance, special ed advocacy

    key topics

    1. Legal rights of parents in special education
    2. The evaluation and IEP process
    3. Predetermination and legal compliance
    4. When to seek legal help in special education
    5. How to effectively advocate for your child's needs

    titles

    1. Unlocking Your Child's Rights: A Guide to Special Ed Law
    2. Navigating IEPs and Legal Rights with Frances Shefter

    Sound Bites

    1. "Trust your gut and ask questions."
    2. "Know what the issues are and be prepared."
    3. "Legal help can often save time and money."

    Chapters

    00:00Introduction to Special Education Law

    00:01Frances Shefter's Journey into Special Education Law

    05:04Understanding the Role of Parents and Schools

    09:28Navigating IEP Meetings and Legal Representation

    15:02Collaboration Between Attorneys and Parents

    17:23The Role of Educators in Child Advocacy

    19:34State Variations in Educational Compliance

    21:23Challenges in Meeting Educational Needs

    25:25Navigating the IEP Process and Parental Rights

    31:10Requesting Evaluations and the Role of Attorneys

    Resources
    1. Frances Shefter Law
    2. specialedrising.com
    3. https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission
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    44 m
  • Start Small, Stay Steady: How Simple Routines Reduce Stress and Build Regulation at Home

    Start Small, Stay Steady: How Simple Routines Reduce Stress and Build Regulation at Home
    Feb 24 2026
    In this episode, Mark Ingrassia—special educator, advocate, and parent coach—dives into one of the most overlooked but powerful tools available to families: simple, consistent routines.Schedules. Morning charts. Time blocks.They may sound basic—even boring—but research and decades of classroom and family experience show they are foundational to lowering stress, reducing conflict, and building independence.This episode explores how routines don’t just organize your day—they regulate your household.🔎 What You’ll Learn in This Episode✅ Why schedules are not about control—but about safetyPredictability lowers anxiety. When children (and parents) know what comes next, their nervous systems relax. Consistent routines reduce uncertainty, which research shows is a key driver of stress responses in both children and adults.✅ How routines lower stress for parentsParents raising children with anxiety, ADHD, autism, or executive functioning challenges make hundreds of micro-decisions daily. That leads to decision fatigue.When routines are consistent:You stop negotiating every step.You reduce arguments.You prevent last-minute chaos.You move from reacting to coaching.Less decision fatigue = lower stress.✅ How routines lower stress for childrenChildren don’t yet have fully developed executive functioning skills. When the day feels unpredictable, their brains stay on alert.Consistent routines:Reduce transition stressCreate clear beginnings and endings to tasksHelp perfectionistic children know when “enough” is enoughBuild a sense of competence and controlTurn external structure into internal regulation over timePredictability allows the brain to prepare instead of panic.✅ The Power of “Predictable Bookends”Morning = launch pad Evening = landing stripWhen the beginning and end of the day are steady, the middle becomes manageable.✅ Why transitions are the real challengeMost meltdowns don’t happen during tasks—they happen between them.Clear time blocks like:4:00 Snack4:15 Homework (20 minutes)4:35 Break…help the brain prepare for what’s next. Preparation lowers resistance. Lower resistance lowers stress.🧠 The Research Behind ItThis episode draws from research in behavioral science, developmental psychology, and executive functioning:Habit formation research (BJ Fogg, Tiny Habits) shows that small, repeatable behaviors build long-term change more effectively than large overhauls.Studies on bedtime routines show consistent nightly structure improves sleep quality, emotional regulation, and behavior.Research on family routines and resilience links predictable daily rhythms to lower parental stress and fewer child behavior problems.Executive functioning research shows children benefit from visual schedules and timed task blocks, especially those with ADHD.Psychological research on uncertainty and stress demonstrates that unpredictability increases cortisol, while structure reduces anxiety.(See full references below.)🛠 Practical TakeawaysIf you’re wondering where to begin:Start small. Pick one part of the day.Use simple time blocks instead of vague instructions.Anchor the new routine to an existing habit.Stay consistent for several weeks before adjusting.It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be repeatable.💬 Key MessageYou don’t have to be a perfect parent. But being predictable can change your home.You’re not just organizing a schedule. You’re building safety. You’re building confidence. You’re building a calmer nervous system—for your child and for yourself.And that changes everything.📚 References & Research MentionedFogg, B. J. (2019). Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.Mindell, J. A., et al. (2015). “Bedtime routines for young children: A dose-dependent association with sleep outcomes.” Sleep.Spagnola, M., & Fiese, B. H. (2007). “Family routines and rituals: A context for development in the lives of young children.” Infants & Young Children.Evans, G. W., & Wachs, T. D. (2010). Chaos and Its Influence on Children’s Development. American Psychological Association.Barkley, R. A. (2012). Executive Functions: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Evolved.American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statements on routines, sleep, and family structure.🎧 Listen to more episodes at: specialedrising.com Special Ed Rising: No Parent Left Behind Hosted by Mark IngrassiaBecause no parent should walk this road alone.https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission
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    12 m
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