'The Other Kids': A Conversation about Inclusion, Trauma, and Behavior with Alex Shevrin Venet

About the Guest(s):

Alex Shevrin Venet: Alex is an educator, consultant, and author known for her work in trauma-informed and equity-centered education. She has authored "Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education" and "Becoming an Everyday Change Maker." With a background in therapeutic school settings, Alex now focuses on teacher development, school consulting, and writing. She is dedicated to empowering educators to create inclusive and equitable learning environments.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, host Tim Villegas welcomes Alex Shevrin Venet to discuss pressing issues in education surrounding inclusive and trauma-informed practices. Tim and Alex delve into the ramifications of exclusionary classroom settings, the role of educators as change makers, and the imperative to place equity at the center of educational approaches. This engaging conversation provides valuable insights for educators seeking to foster inclusive environments.

Throughout the discussion, Alex shares her experiences and insights about the challenges and opportunities within the education system. They highlight the systemic issues stemming from segregated special education settings and how educators can empower themselves to become everyday change makers. Alex emphasizes the importance of stepping into one's role within the educational system, acknowledging individual strengths and areas for influence while advocating for systemic change. Her discussion on trauma-informed education suggests a shift away from behaviorism to a more holistic and equity-centered approach.

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/F4rhCJCaeQUg8FBAo0DUMy7FlBg

Key Takeaways:

• Becoming a Change Maker: Educators can create change within their spheres of influence, starting small and building momentum for inclusive education.
• Equity-Centered Approaches: Alex emphasizes the need to integrate equity into trauma-informed educational practices.
• Challenges of Behaviorism: The systemic reliance on behaviorist approaches needs reevaluation, with a focus on empowering students rather than just managing behavior.
• Building Inclusive Communities: Segregated systems often prevent authentic community building; all students benefit when differences are embraced.
• Strategic Change Advocacy: In politically charged environments, educators need to be strategic about advocating for equity and inclusive practices.

Resources:

What about the other kids in the room? https://www.unconditionallearning.org/blog/the-other-kids-in-the-room

Unconditional Learning: https://www.unconditionallearning.org/

Donate to MCIE: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Donate

Thank you to our sponsor, IXL: https://www.ixl.com/inclusive

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