Send us a text message and let us know what you think and for ideas for future episodes.

In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David sits down with Dr. Latrisha Chattin to explore the realities of special education and its impact on students of color. From her personal journey growing up in North Philadelphia (05:09) to her leadership in the field, Dr. Chattin offers deep insight into what special education is (12:18), how students are identified (13:32), and the rights parents have under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)(25:42).

They discuss key distinctions between Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans (31:11), the problem of disproportionality (35:38), and the historical roots of mistrust among families of color (39:30). The episode closes with a focus on student self-advocacy, the challenges facing special ed teachers, and reasons for hope in the field.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or school leader, this is an essential conversation about access, stigma, and equity in education.

To contact Dr. Chattin vist her website at https://www.sageeduconsultants.com/ or email her at latrisha@sageeduconsultants.com

Join the Conversation:

• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.

Send us a text message and let us know what you think and for ideas for future episodes.

In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David sits down with Jonathan Santos Silva and Dr. RoseMary Clairmont to explore the revitalization of Native education. From Dr. Clairmont's journey from the classroom to tribal leadership (04:12) to Jonathan's powerful origin story beginning with a library card (07:31), they reveal the ongoing presence and resilience of Native communities (11:42). The discussion addresses the fight against erasure in education (15:15), the complexities of public, tribal, and BIE school systems (27:16), and how a community response to slashed tires sparked educational change (33:45). They highlight innovative programs centering students and culture (40:45) and the integration of NASA's star knowledge in redefining success (43:06). The episode concludes with reflections on the dark origins of Native education (52:38) and a vision for a new educational future (01:03:16).

To learn more about The Liber Institute visit their website at https://www.theliberinstitute.org/

Resources:

National Indian Education Association

An Indigenous People's History of the United States

Brené Brown Books

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Join the Conversation:

• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.

Send us a text message and let us know what you think and for ideas for future episodes.

In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David reconnects with his former student, award-winning playwright and screenwriter Ismail Khalidi, to explore identity, art, and Palestine. From growing up Palestinian in America (05:45) to the influence of family and education (11:53) and his journey to playwriting (17:42), Ismail or Sim as he is known, shares how storytelling becomes both art and resistance. The conversation touches on navigating the white gaze (35:30), the responsibility of educators in discussing Palestine (41:22), and the myths and realities too often erased in mainstream narratives (48:01), before looking to the future of Palestine and the role of art (56:21).

To contact Ismail Khalidi you can visit his website at https://www.ismailkhalidi.com/

To learn more about the history of Palestine checkout the following:

The 100 Years War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi

Until I Return: The Selected Plays of Ismail Khalidi

Returning to Haifa by Ismail Khalidi and Naomi Wallace

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad

"Dead Are My People" by Khalil Gibran

Pulitzer-prize Winning Poet, Mosab Abu Toha on the war in Gaza

Join the Conversation:

• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.