Seeing What Others Miss: Presuming Competence in Special Education | Ep. 40

In this heartwarming and insightful episode of Finding Hope on the Spectrum, host Brooke converses with Zack Ponder, a former special education teacher, small business owner, writer, and host of the Unspecial podcast. Zack shares his personal journey of discovering a natural passion for life skills classrooms and the intense behavior needs of his students, which led him to obtain his teaching credential and teach at all levels from high school to adult transition. The conversation delves into understanding the challenges of the special education system, the need for better training for instructional staff, and the power of presuming competence in students. Zack also introduces his work supporting parents through the emotional IEP process and his upcoming resources designed specifically to help families show up to meetings equipped and confident. The episode emphasizes the importance of nurturing the caregivers along with the patients, offering practical advice and a broad array of resources—including Zack's books Special Days and Happy Days—for deeper understanding and spiritual hope.00:00 Introduction: "He Equips the Called" 01:45 Welcome to Finding Hope on the Spectrum 02:05 Introducing Zack Ponder 02:29 Zack's Background and Entry into Special Education 05:54 Staying in the Community with the Unspecial Podcast 08:05 Personal Journey: Faith, Family, and a Cancer Diagnosis 12:23 Impactful Moments: Presuming Competence in the Community 16:22 Understanding Intuition and Student Behavior 19:31 Challenges in the Special Education System 26:13 Supporting Parents through the IEP Process 30:54 Developing the IEP Course for Parents 37:39 Special Days: Finding God in the Classroom 38:30 Happy Days: A 90-Day Devotional 40:32 Finding Peace in the Pain through Faith 50:46 Final Encouragement and Small Wins Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum:Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/ Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum TikTok: FindinghopeonthespectrumGuest Contact:https://m-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/unspecialhttps://www.amazon.com/Happy-Dayz-90-Day-Devotional/dp/B0G5T8RFCT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TBEVV1O7ZJL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.d7IOHOTs64IPHlpaYZ-Mdg.k62e2us6sQeBebbtpW1KJbUHugpAlFFIE1G2rIFl39o&dib_tag=se&keywords=happy+dayz+90+day+devotional+zack+ponder&qid=1767989631&sprefix=happy+dayz+90+day+devetional+zack+pond%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1