In this conversation, Dan speaks with Dr. Shelley Moore about her journey in education, focusing on the importance of inclusive practices for students with disabilities. They discuss the challenges faced by the education system, the need for a shift from special education to inclusive education, and the significance of community and collaboration in fostering an inclusive environment. Dr. Moore shares her research findings and practical strategies for teachers to create inclusive classrooms, emphasizing the importance of understanding student needs and building agency. The conversation highlights the necessity of evolving Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to better support students and the overall educational community.


Takeaways

Inclusion is beneficial for all students, not just those with disabilities.
Education systems need to evolve to meet the needs of today's diverse learners.
Community and belonging are essential for student success.
Teachers should start with the needs of the most vulnerable students.
IEPs should focus on growth rather than fixing perceived deficits.
Positive attitudes towards inclusion can transform educational practices.
Flexibility in teaching methods is crucial for accommodating diverse learners.
Research should guide educational decisions, not just tradition or opinion.
Student agency is vital for meaningful learning experiences.
Collaboration among educators, families, and communities enhances inclusion efforts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of the Conversation
02:29 Dr. Shelley's Journey in Education
06:54 The Shift from Special Education to Inclusive Education
12:06 Understanding the Education Crisis
15:59 Research and Practical Applications in Inclusive Education
23:59 Five Key Principles for Effective Inclusion
30:41 Barriers in Education: The Role of Standardized Testing
33:12 Permissible Prejudice: Understanding Discrimination in Education
34:30 Rethinking Accessibility: The Bowling Metaphor in Education
39:47 Creating Inclusive Learning Environments: A Case Study
42:37 Empowering Student Agency: Making Choices in Learning
48:43 Navigating Standardized Testing: Strategies for Success
55:01 The Evolution of IEPs: From Medical Models to Inclusive Practices
59:32 Practical Tips for Inclusive Teaching: Small Steps for Big Change

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Enjoyed the episode? Then it’s time to join the class.
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Because education doesn’t end at the classroom door — and neither does the conversation.

• Why so many children are struggling with speech, language and communication right now
• How early identification can change everything
• What needs to happen in policy, funding and teacher training to fix the system
• And how we can all be part of the solution — from the classroom to the kitchen table

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Support the show

Enjoyed the episode? Then it’s time to join the class.
👉 Head to www.detentiondiaries.com
to read the blog, sign up for the newsletter, and join our online staffroom community.

Because education doesn’t end at the classroom door — and neither does the conversation.

Join me on this week’s episode of the Make it Make SENDs podcast as I chat with the remarkable Ginny Bootman — a SENDCO, former headteacher, author and champion of empathy-driven SEND education.

🚀 In this conversation we dive into:

• Ginny’s journey from classroom to leading inclusive practice
• How empathy, trust and relationships make all the difference in SEND provision
• The current state of SEND legislation, what’s working and what still needs to change
• Practical advice for teachers, parents (like me, father of an autistic daughter) and anyone working with young people
• Ginny’s favourite strategies, time-saving hacks and what she’d change overnight if she could

📚 Check out Ginny’s work:

• Book: Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO by Ginny Bootman (113 tips for building relationships, saving time and changing lives) – crownhouse.co.uk+1
• Ginny’s Talks & Podcast appearances – find them at her website and listen to her podcast “Follow the Empathy Road” Ginny Bootman | Follow the Empathy Road.+1
• https://thesendcast.com/category/episodes/ginny-bootman/

🌐 Join the Detention Diaries community:

• Visit: www.detentiondiaries.com (subscribe for our weekly newsletter, resources, and more)
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🎧 We also recommend checking out previous podcast episodes if you’re new to the show — https://open.spotify.com/show/1hbydmiXAUaX8ktaoCphaF?si=9afcba5dfe354554 . If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share so we can keep growing this conversation and supporting all those working in and around SEND.

Thank you for listening, and a huge thank you to Ginny Bootman for bringing her energy, insight and passion.
Hit play, sit back, and let’s get into it.

Support the show

Enjoyed the episode? Then it’s time to join the class.
👉 Head to www.detentiondiaries.com
to read the blog, sign up for the newsletter, and join our online staffroom community.

Because education doesn’t end at the classroom door — and neither does the conversation.