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Artwork for A Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special education

A Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special education

Robin Fabiano, Abigail Hanscom, Angela Smagula
Special Education
Food Allergies
Love On the Spectrum
Mental Health
IQ Testing
Student Behavioral Challenges
Transition Services
504 Plans
Individualized Education Programs (ieps)
Covid-19
Teacher Shortage
FAPE
Disabilities
Down Syndrome
IDEA
Education Law
Massachusetts
School Policies
Functional Curriculum
Compensatory Services

In this podcast, we hope to share information, lessons learned, interviews with VIPs in the field of special education. Join Robin Fabiano, Abby Hanscom and Angela Smagula as they bring diverse viewpoints and some humor to an otherwise serious topic.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes159Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingKids & FamilyEducation

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Artwork for A Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special education

Latest Episodes

Join Robin and Angela as they answer questions from listeners. Can you think of an out of the box acronym? Let us know!

Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey

Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast... more

Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss an article from 2023 that questions the effectiveness of Inclusion. While it is a couple of years old, it has recently resurfaced in the discussion threads on the internet. 

Here is the 2023 article from t... more

Listen in as Angela breaks down a very recent Massachusetts Appeals Court ruling (linked below) clarifying the "place regulation". This regulation informs how the location of services is determined for students who do not attend public school.

Unive... more

Listen in as Robin and Abby jump into the Homework Debate! The article below is a great resource for the research referenced in their convo!

Is Homework Necessary? 

Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey

Email us at ASTALPodcast@... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

David Tynes
Adapted physical education teacher and director of a Saturday program for people with disabilities
Cambridge program
Episode: My Brother's Keeper: Interview with David Tynes
Marilyn Vrandes
Director of Educator Engagement and Advancement at NASET
NASET
Episode: We're Thankful for YOU....and so is NASET!
Erika Bare
Superintendent in a small district, with over 20 years in education
Episode: Interview with Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns
Tiffany Burns
Experienced educator and administrator with a focus on student needs
Episode: Interview with Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns
Kathleen Browning
Speech pathologist and administrator in special education
Episode: Integrated Preschools Rock!
Jim Lange
CPA and attorney, author of financial books
Episode: Interview with Jim Lange, CPA/Attorney
Elizabeth C. Hamblet
A nationally requested speaker on preparing students with disabilities for a successful college transition.
Author of '7 Steps to College Success, A Pathway for Students with Disabilities'
Episode: 7 Steps to College Success: Interv. w/author Elizabeth C. Hamblet

Hosts

Robin Fabiano
Special education teacher and building-based student services administrator; educational consultant; extensive Massachusetts context
Abby Hanscom
District-level student services administrator; educational consultant
Angela Smagula
Founding partner at Conn and Smagula; education law

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 65 ratings
  • Fabulous

    Excellent advice and a clear understanding of special education. The explanations were accurate, and easy to understand, making complex topics much clearer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    justahumandog
    United States4 months ago
  • Stimming

    What about teaching neurotypical and non-disabled peers to understand why and be more accepting of these behaviors

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ayden'smom
    United States7 months ago
  • Science of Reading

    This episode on the science of reading was so frustrating to listen to. Please, if you’re going to make a podcast episode, do it about a topic that you know and can explain. Thinking that science of reading is primarily about phonics instruction shows that you didn’t read that book and that you don’t understand what the science of reading is.

    The episode frames phonics instruction and development of background knowledge and vocabulary as an either/or, and that view is wildly inaccurate. Simply... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Elbarato26
    United Statesa year ago
  • So helpful!

    Thank you for your time and knowledge sharing! I loved the podcasts about the new MCAS ballot question and ESY. Keep up this great and important work :-)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sam7316806
    United States2 years ago
  • Fab podcast!

    Abby, Robin and Angela bring a wealth of knowledge to this topic. Each episode is the perfect mix of informative and entertaining. #bigfan!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Love the show98765
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate practical guidance and candor from experienced education professionals.
Some episodes spark strong disagreements on policy or approaches, which listeners find engaging and thought-provoking.
Guest sharing and expertise are frequently highlighted as top strengths.
Overall, the show is praised for approachable depth on complex topics like inclusion, law, and governance.

Top Education Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

My Brother's Keeper: Interview with David Tynes
Q: How did the Saturday program begin and how has it evolved?
The program started small before I took over, and my connections allowed me to grow it into a comprehensive fitness and recreation initiative for people of all ages with disabilities.
My Brother's Keeper: Interview with David Tynes
Q: How did you enter the field of special education?
I have a sister with a disability, and growing up, I learned to adapt and protect her, which naturally pushed me towards this field.
We're Thankful for YOU....and so is NASET!
Q: What are the latest or most recent Supreme Court cases that we need to know?
Recent cases focus on FAPE being individually tailored and the implications of recent court rulings such as Andrew and Mahmoud cases that impact special education rights and processes.
We're Thankful for YOU....and so is NASET!
Q: What is the legal way to switch from pullout instruction to push-in model for all students on my caseload?
Look at each student individually and use assessments. Collaborate with families and co-build a plan that allows for pilot programs to demonstrate effectiveness.
We're Thankful for YOU....and so is NASET!
Q: How do you present the concept of specially designed instruction to general education teachers?
Use a collaborative approach to co-plan lessons that include modifications for content, instruction, and assessment to support various learners in a way that emphasizes inclusive practices.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Three experienced education professionals—a special education teacher and building-based administrator, a district-level student services administrator, and a founding education-law partner—discuss the realities of special education with practical insights, candid opinions, and humor. Episodes frequently cover inclusion, legal frameworks (IDEA, FAPE, compliance), funding and governance (charter vs. district responsibilities), assistive technology, and family collaboration, often weaving in policy changes, court decisions, and real-world classroom impact. Noteworthy are the strong emphasis on collaboration among educators, families, and law, plus a willingness to tackle thornier topics (legal issues, advocacy, and systemic challenges) with a... more

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1. Savage Lovecast
2. Science Vs
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4. What Now? with Trevor Noah
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this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 159 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. David Tynes
2. Marilyn Vrandes
3. Erika Bare
4. Tiffany Burns
5. Kathleen Browning
6. Jim Lange
7. Elizabeth C. Hamblet

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