Episode 3:2 They’re Not Their IEP

Episode 3:2: They’re Not Their IEP

What happens when we start seeing the IEP before we see the child?

In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, Brad takes a deeper look at special education, inclusion, accommodations, behavior, expectations, and the responsibility we have as educators to see the whole child.

An IEP is an important tool. It tells us about goals, supports, accommodations, services, and areas where a student needs help. But an IEP doesn’t tell us everything about a child.

It doesn’t tell us their personality.

It doesn’t tell us their dreams.

It doesn’t tell us what they’re capable of becoming.

And sometimes, without realizing it, the labels, diagnoses, data, and support systems surrounding a student can become the lens through which we see them.

This episode is about challenging that.

We talk about the difference between supporting a student and doing things for them, the role of paraprofessionals, realistic versus limiting expectations, behavior and accountability, inclusion, accommodations, parent partnerships, student voice, independence, and what happens when we focus so much on what a student needs that we forget to ask what they might become.

Because the goal isn’t simply to help a student get through school.

The goal is to help them become as independent, confident, capable, and successful as they can possibly be.