The PL Project: Expanding Possibilities

The world of education can be overwhelming and complicated, and it doesn't always have to be that way. Listen in on a multidisciplinary group of lifelong learners while they search for practical, real-life solutions to all things educational. If you're looking for snippets of insight mixed in with laughs, book recommendations, and the alphabet soup of educational jargon, you've made it to the right place.

The PL Project Episode 23: Kim Brown 05/15/2025

The PL Project Episode 23: Kim Brown On this episode, Kristie and Sheena talk with Kim Brown about her expansive work with the Verbal Behavior Milestones and Placement Program (VB-MAPP). Kim Brown has been working in the field of special education for the past 23 years in a variety of roles including a teaching assistant, special education teacher, instructional and behavioral coach, principal/Program Director, Coordinator for Autism Programming and Director of Professional Learning from Early Childhood to High School. Her work centers around special education programming and best practices in assessment, curriculum development and instruction. In addition she works with educational leaders to develop an infrastructure to maintain systems of support around professional learning goals and implementation to provide continuous short term and long term growth for educational teams. In the episode, we talk with Kim on the student benefits of utilizing the data from the VB-MAPP assessment to learn more about your students, how this data can be intertwined with how to deliver instruction and curriculum to students across all areas, the importance of understanding verbal behavior for all educators, and overall some helpful tips and suggestions for teams when it comes to getting started on the assessment and teaching to use the results. Listeners can find more information on Verbal Behavior Milestones and Placement Program on , which includes a lot of video explanations, and utilizing NSSEO’s coaches/consultants especially when it comes to getting started. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/36581535

PL Project 22: Don Johnston 01/27/2025

PL Project 22: Don Johnston For over 40 years, Don Johnston, founder and CEO of Building Wings, has helped students and teachers build literacy skills through specially-designed curriculum and assistive technology. His technologies, implementation, and personal connections have made the impossible possible in over 32,000 schools across America. At the heart of Don’s endeavors is inspiration gained during his personal journey as a reader who struggled in school. In eighth grade, a teacher recognized his potential and helped him think and learn in non-traditional ways. This is the philosophy behind all of Don’s product development and company endeavors. Through Don’s leadership and long-standing partnerships with interdisciplinary experts, Building Wings is creating special education resources to help many more students reach new heights in their literacy development. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/35050450

The PL Project Ep 21: Robert Pennington 12/20/2024

The PL Project Ep 21: Robert Pennington On this episode, Danielle and Sheena talk with Dr. Robert Pennington about his expansive work with individuals with complex learning needs and how to program for students using high leverage practices. Rob is a former special educator, well accomplished professor, BCBA, and leader in educational research. His current research focuses around high leverage practices as well as innovative educational methodologies of using technology and robots within the classroom. In the episode, we talk with Rob about the importance of showing teachers how to use High Leverage Practices in order to make data-based decisions for their students, as well as help teachers feel empowered over their instruction and programming for students with more intense and severe needs. Listeners can find more information about Rob's work around HLPs on the as well as purchase his book, Applied Behavior Analysis for Everyone: Principles and Practices Explained by Applied Researches Who Use Them, on . /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/34552645

The PL Project Ep. 20 Karen Erickson Part 2 12/05/2024

The PL Project Ep. 20 Karen Erickson Part 2 On this episode, Tara and Danielle talk with Dr. Karen Erickson about a few of the free resources available for educators who support students with complex learning profiles. Karen is a former teacher of students with significant disabilities. Her current research addresses literacy and communication assessment and intervention for students with extensive support needs, as well as the supportiveness of augmentative and alternative communication in interaction. Karen and her colleague's recent projects have focused on creating open-source professional development and implementation supports such as those available in Project VC (), Project Core () and Tar Heel Shared Reader (). On the show, Karen recommended that teachers explore the ASAP! She also shared information about which currently has videos to describe each of the conditions for learning outlined in Chapter 2 Comprehensive Literacy for All. In the future, this website will have lesson plans and instructional resources, once they are ready. You can buy Karen and David's book Comprehensive Literacy for All on the or on . /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/34307680

Episode 19 - Paula Kluth 11/14/2024

Episode 19 - Paula Kluth On this episode, Kristie Wurglitz and Tara Hanson talk with Paula Kluth on her work with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Her work centers around providing support around inclusion, co-teaching, and universal design for learning. She has written over 15 books supporting parents and staff on these topics and she has won several awards within her profession. In the episode, we talk with Paula about the benefits of using co-teaching as a tool for inclusion, utilizing co-teaching structures, co-teaching with related services, and how to make co-teaching collaboration work with limited time and resources. Listeners can find more information about Paula's work at her website. “30 Days in the co-taught classroom” is one of her best-selling books which you can access on her website or on Amazon. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/33929357

Episode 18 - Dr. Ross Greene 09/30/2024

Episode 18 - Dr. Ross Greene Nicole Burke and Beth Mand interview Dr. Ross Greene /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/33267932

Episode 17: Mary Barbera 05/28/2024

Episode 17: Mary Barbera /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/31498727

Episode 16: Karen Erickson 10/23/2023

Episode 16: Karen Erickson Join Kristie Wurglitz and Maureen Brandywine as we talk to Karen Erickson. Karen Erickson, Ph.D. is the Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, a Professor in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, and the Yoder Distinguished Professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research addresses literacy assessment and instruction for struggling readers of all ages including those with significant disabilities. Karen is co-developer of the Tar Heel Reader online library of accessible books for beginning readers, as well as several other assistive and learning technologies. She is a former teacher of children with significant disabilities. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/28399259

Episode 15: Jimmy Casas 10/10/2023

Episode 15: Jimmy Casas Jimmy served twenty-two years as a school leader. He is a best selling author, speaker, leadership coach, and a state and national award winning principal. Under Jimmy’s leadership, Bettendorf High School was named one of the best high schools in the country three times by Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report. JImmy was named the 2012 Iowa Principal of the Year and was runner-up NASSP 2013 National Principal of the Year. In 2014, Jimmy was invited to the White House to speak on the Future Ready Pledge. Finally, in 2015, he received the Bammy Award for the National Principal of the Year. Join Kristie and Rylee as we listen in on Jimmy Casas answers on the latest concerns facing teachers and administrators today. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/28277009

CMIYC 14: Interoception Curriculum with Kelly Maher 12/13/2022

CMIYC 14: Interoception Curriculum with Kelly Maher Join us for an exciting interview with Kelly Maher with NSSEO District Coach Kristie Wurglitz and Kirk School Occupational Therapist Julie Hollamby. In this episode, we dive deeper into Interoception discussing how to utilize this with students, where to start, steps to support staff, replacing compliance with curiosity, and increasing motivation amongst students and staff. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/25307598

CMIYC 013 Elena Aguilar 04/25/2022

CMIYC 013 Elena Aguilar Join us for an exciting interview with Elena Aguilar and NSSEO District Coaches Kristie Wurglitz and Beh Mand. In this episode, we talk through cultivating resilience through the pandemic, Coaching roles, lifelong learning, and how to create fun and engaging professional development opportunities. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/22904732

CMIYC Summer Learning Opportunities 2022 03/16/2022

CMIYC Summer Learning Opportunities 2022 Rylee Coteus and Nicole Burke discuss available trainings coming this summer. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/22463471

CMIYC 011 What does a BCBA do? 03/14/2022

CMIYC 011 What does a BCBA do? Our NSSEO coaches discuss topics surrounding BCBA /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/22435337

CMIYC 010 Dan Pink 01/11/2022

CMIYC 010 Dan Pink Join us for a dynamic interview with Daniel Pink and NSSEO District Coach Kristie Wurglitz. And Professional Learning Coordinator, Stacy Colgan. In this episode we discuss several of Daniel’s best-selling books and topics such as engagement, autonomy, and creativity. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/21402419

CMIYC 009 NSSEO Mentor Program with Mentee Domnika Mac 11/15/2021

CMIYC 009 NSSEO Mentor Program with Mentee Domnika Mac Stacy Colgan talks to 1st year mentee Domnika Mac on how her year is going and gives advice for future mentees. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/21173177

CMIYC 008 Paula Kluth 11/04/2021

CMIYC 008 Paula Kluth Join us for a dynamic interview with Paula Kluth and NSSEO District Coaches Kristie Wurglitz and Nicole Burke. In this episode we discuss keys to facilitating meetings and beyond. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/21052136

CMIYC 007 Facilitated IEP Robin O'Shea and Cassie Velasquez 10/20/2021

CMIYC 007 Facilitated IEP Robin O'Shea and Cassie Velasquez Join us for a dynamic interview with Key2Ed facilitators Robin O’Shea and Cassie Velasquez., and NSSEO District Coach Rylee Coteus. In this episode we discuss keys to facilitating meetings and beyond. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/20874350

CMIYC 006 Orly Klapholz 09/29/2021

CMIYC 006 Orly Klapholz Join us for a dynamic interview with Orly Klapholz and NSSEO District Coach Amie Krummick. In this episode we discuss keys to facilitating meetings and beyond. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/20639438

CMIYC 005 Williiam Parker: Pause. Breathe. Flourish. 09/13/2021

CMIYC 005 Williiam Parker: Pause. Breathe. Flourish. Join us for an enlightening interview with NSSEO district coach Kristie Wurglitz, NSSEO Professional Learning Coordinator Stacy Colgan, and author William D. Parker. In this episode we discuss ways to practice self-care in order to help others, find solutions, and reach goals. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/20386292

CMIYC 004 Kristie Wurglitz How to Leave Your Classroom Better Than You Found It 05/26/2021

CMIYC 004 Kristie Wurglitz How to Leave Your Classroom Better Than You Found It Join us for an informative conversation between NSSEO district coaches Kristie Wurglitz and Rylee Coteus. Our NSSEO coaches share out different tips and ideas on how to close out your classroom and prepare for summer. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/19210820

CMIYC 003 Dr. Kristen Brendel From Stress to Resilience 05/17/2021

CMIYC 003 Dr. Kristen Brendel From Stress to Resilience Join us for a mindful conversation with Dr. Kristen Brendel and NSSEO district coaches Amie Krummick and Rylee Coteus. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/19126841

CMIYC 002 Dr. Amie Krummick: Silver Linings of the Dumpster Fire 05/10/2021

CMIYC 002 Dr. Amie Krummick: Silver Linings of the Dumpster Fire Join us for an engaging conversation between NSSEO district coaches Amie Krummick and Rylee Coteus as they share out the bright sides of the consistent inconsistency brought out by the pandemic. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/18966365

Coach Me If You Can 001 Dr. Judy Hackett 04/30/2021

Coach Me If You Can 001 Dr. Judy Hackett Our debut episode. In this episode of Coach Me If You Can, host Rylee Coteus interviews Northwest Suburban Special Educational Organization's Superintendent Dr. Judy Hackett. Join us for captivating interview where we discover the importance of the work at NSSEO and dig into the work of Simon Sinek to understand the why at NSSEO and how it translates between work and home. /episode/index/show/coachmeifyoucan/id/18886484

The PL Project: Expanding Possibilities

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