This episode is a conversation with Dr. Hollie Mason and some of her current and former students (Maddie Thurman, Ashlyn Slayton, and Cadee Goldstein) in their experiences as advocates at the Special Education Legislative Summit (or SELS). They share insights on the summit and what it entails , their opportunities meeting with Congress members, some of the challenges facing special education, and how they've taken these experiences and applied them to their coursework and careers.

Information on the Special Education Legislative Summit 2026

Special Education Legislation: Policy to Action Workshop Flyer

Welcome to Voices From the Field! This podcast series will look to interview a wide range of early childhood professionals across STAR NET Regions I & III, which covers Northern and Central Illinois counties. We will look to include teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, specialists, and many more as we highlight different people and their experiences in the early childhood field.

Today’s guest is Carrie Finch, a pre-k teacher in LaHarpe - a small town in Hancock, IL. Carrie walks us through her career in early childhood special education. She leans into ways she taught at the beginning of her career and describes how tragedy led her to change her personal and professional mindsets. Carrie shares her love of teaching and connecting with all students, how leaning into professional development and continuing education has given her the tools to impact her classroom, and how she has been mentoring countless educators along the way. She may humbly say her district is rural but it’s clear as day that her impact is felt far and wide!

Welcome to Voices From the Field! This podcast series will look to interview a wide range of early childhood professionals across STAR NET Regions I & III, which covers Northern and Central Illinois counties. We will look to include teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, specialists, and many more as we highlight different people and their experiences in the early childhood field.

Today’s guest is Ronda McKee, an early childhood educator who has been in the field for more than 40 years. Ronda is based primarily out of the McDonough County area of West Central Illinois, where she has been an ECSE teacher, director, Ag in the Classroom teacher, and substitute teacher. In this podcast Ronda shares many of her experiences, insights, and memories of her time in the early childhood field.