About the Guest(s):
Robyn Stack Reagan is the CEO of Circle of Friends, an organization with a mission to promote inclusion for students with disabilities and those living with adversity. With her extensive background in working with youth in residential treatment and fostering youth with mental illness, Reagan brings a wealth of experience to the area of inclusive education and advocacy. Her professional journey includes strategic planning and implementation of programs promoting inclusion, reflecting her passion for supporting students and empowering them to appreciate differences and build authentic relationships.
Summary:
In this episode, Tim Villegas welcomes Robyn Stack Reagan, the dynamic CEO of Circle of Friends, for an engaging conversation that dives deep into the organization's mission and the tangible impact of inclusion in educational settings. This candid discussion unveils the profound effects that fostering genuine friendships and promoting anti-bullying can have on students of all backgrounds, particularly disabled learners and those facing adversity.
Robyn shares the compelling origin story of Circle of Friends, which began with a determination to help one student with Down syndrome make friends in high school. The movement quickly grew into a popular club driven by student leaders eager to encourage inclusion. She also emphasizes the importance of Circle of Friends as a model that transcends disability support and reaches students facing various sorts of adversity, including English language learners, foster youth, and LGBTQIA+ students.
An essential facet of this episode is the focus on the misconceptions about inclusion and the reality of its societal benefits. Robyn discusses the organization's approach to eradicating the helper-helpee dynamic by fostering peer-to-peer relationships based on mutual respect and equality—a core value of Circle of Friends. Listeners will leave the conversation with a nuanced understanding of the critical need for safe, inclusive school environments that cultivate long-lasting, positive change.
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/4y9S6I85LUr57ygjk90G6_tRDqU
Key Takeaways:
Resources:
Circle of Friends Website: https://www.circleofriends.org/
Hope Building Blocks by Tufts University: https://positiveexperience.org/resource/the-four-building-block-of-hope/
MCIE: https://www.mcie.org/
Podcast Impact Survey: https://bit.ly/TI-IMPACT
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
ECTA: Building High-Quality Systems Supporting Inclusive Education for Young Learners with Disabilities
The Autism Society: Promoting Inclusion and Amplifying Autistic Voices
Embracing Neurodiversity in STEM Education for All Learners
The Participation Specialists: How Occupational Therapists Can Facilitate Inclusive Education
Embracing Radical Acceptance: A Journey of Inclusion and Understanding with Dr. Leah Kelley
A Conversation with Sharon Draper on her 'Out of My Mind' Book Series
The Barefoot Autism Challenge: Exploring Neurodiversity Through Running Barefoot
Breaking the Curve: How Standards-Based Grading is Transforming Education
*FEED DROP* Learn with Dr. Emily
Beth Leipholtz: Advocate for Inclusion and Accessibility
How PINE is Revolutionizing Professional Learning for Inclusive Education
Principals Show Disability Discrimination in School Access, Study Finds
Love is a Classroom: Steps Toward Inclusive Practices with Andrew Goff
Jeannie Gainsburg Discusses LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Allyship in Education
Promoting Peer Engagement and AAC in Inclusive Classrooms
The Power of Reflection: How One School District Transformed Education for All Learners
Jonathan Cormur: Embracing Neurodiversity in Voice Acting and Beyond
BONUS: A Quick Message from Tim
Advocating for Inclusive Education: A Conversation with Arthur Aston
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
To Die For SPY by Aliia Roza
煽风点火
» Divine Intervention Podcasts
EconTalk
Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of learning