In this episode, we sit down with nature-learning educator and expert, Amanda McMickle, M.Ed. Amanda has over 20 years of experience as an educator and school leader working in nature-based programs in private and public Elementary and Early Childhood schools. During the episode, Amanda discusses her personal journey as an educator that led to her passion and knowledge of nature-based learning. She talks about the many benefits of nature-based learning including academic, social-emotional and physical benefits. Amanda also shares research supporting its positive impacts and gives tips for educators looking to bring a bit of nature-learning into their classrooms. Meredith and Stephanie also give first-hand accounts of the positive impact nature-learning has here at The Parish School.

Amanda is the Vice President of Education at the San Antonio Zoo. Amanda is the founder of NEST (Nature-based Education Support in Texas), a regional group focused on nature-based philosophy, best practices, and advocacy. She also serves on the leadership board of Natural Start Alliance, the early childhood initiative of North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE). Amanda is working on her Ph.D. in a program at the University of the Incarnate Word entitled Adult Education, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

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When most people think about math, they picture numbers and equations. Today’s guest, Dr. Sarah Powell, explains that math is more than just numbers – it’s vocabulary, language comprehension, cognition and executive functioning on top of understanding number sense! Throughout the episode, Sarah digs into the language of math, gives tips on how to teach math vocabulary and discusses why supporting all of the underlying skills builds stronger learners now and in the long run.

Sarah Powell is a professor in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin and associate director of the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk. She is a former kindergarten teacher who became interested in school-based research. Her research, teaching and service focus on mathematics, particularly for students who experience mathematics differently. Powell is currently principal investigator on a number of grants and research projects looking into word-problem solving and working collaboratively with elementary and middle school teachers who provide mathematics instruction to students with mathematics difficulty.

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In this episode, we chat with Beth Rosenbleeth from Days with Grey about helping children learn a variety of life skills for both their daily lives now and in the future. This includes gamifying learning and breaking skills down into simplified, easy-to-follow steps. Throughout the episode, Beth shares why she developed her Life Skills for Big Kids cards, how her own boys have responded to learning new skills and tips for families teaching new skills at home. From simple tasks like using a peeler or tying a shoe, to bigger ones like ordering food or speaking up at the doctor, these skills build a sense of independence and confidence. Beth shares her goal of going beyond teaching chores or tasks to develop bite-sized wins that help your child become more independent and thrive even when you’re not around.

Beth is an educator certified in K-12 with a master’s degree in reading. After teaching for 13 years, she started Days with Grey in 2016 to share the educational activities she was doing with her two boys. Now a mom to three boys, Beth shares her Breakfast Invitations and activity cards with families all over the world through her blog and Instagram. She has something for toddlers through tween years to help you support your child learn and play at home.

Links:

Life Skills for Big Kids Cards

Days with Grey website

Unbabbled Season 3 Episode 11 At-Home Toddler Activities with Beth from Days with Grey

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In this episode, The Parish School’s Curriculum Specialist Laura Causey, MAT, CALP and Speech-Language Pathologist Stephanie Landis, MS, CCC-SLP discuss the differences and similarities between curriculum modifications, classroom accommodations and differentiation. Laura and Stephanie are a part of the elementary leadership team at The Parish School working collaboratively to design and align the elementary curriculum. Throughout the episode, they explain what it means for a curriculum to be aligned with state standards, give examples of ways curriculum can be modified to support students’ specific needs, provide examples of common accommodations given to students, explain differences and similarities of modifications, accommodations and differentiation. Laura and Stephanie also touch on the difference between a therapeutic school and a school that has access to classroom accommodations or individual interventions outside of the classroom. In addition, Laura provides a variety of questions parents can ask when speaking to schools regarding their curriculum. Finally, they also discuss the co-teaching model used at The Parish School and how it is conducive to the use of accommodations, modifications and differentiation within the curriculum.

Laura earned both her bachelors and masters degree in Teaching from Louisiana State University. Before coming to The Parish School in 2017, Laura was a 3rd grade teacher in Spring Branch ISD and at an inner-city Houston charter school, where she taught general studies, math and science. At The Parish School, she taught in the Lower and Upper elementary classrooms and provided reading intervention before moving into the Curriculum Specialist role.

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In this episode, we speak with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Saporito, PhD, about gender differences in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) presentations and the less frequently identified and talked about type of ADHD that often includes traits of inattentiveness, perfectionism and being rule bound. Dr. Saporito discusses both the stereotypical ADHD presentation and other ways children, especially girls, can present with ADHD. She also discusses ways parents and educators can help identify this type of ADHD and gives tips for families on ways to support all children diagnosed with ADHD.

Dr. Saporito is the clinical director of Integrative Psychology Associates of South Jersey with over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her BA from Boston University and her MA and PhD from Drexel University. Dr. Saporito sees a wide range of clients, with a specialty in diagnosing and treating children and adults with ADHD and Autism spectrum disorder. She is passionate about educating medical and mental health providers, as well as clients, about the different presentation by gender of children with neurodevelopmental differences. When she is not working, she is raising her family, gardening, cooking and trying to practice all of the things she teaches her clients.

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In this episode, we speak with pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Ho, MD, FAAP, about concierge medicine. Dr. Ho is the Medical Director of Texas Children's Pediatrics Concierge Medicine Program – a program he recently helped bring to Texas Children’s. Throughout the episode, Dr. Ho discusses what concierge medicine is and how the delivery model differs from the traditional medical model. He also discusses who may benefit from concierge medicine and why he chose this delivery model.

Dr. Ho has a bachelor's degree from Brown University in neuroscience, attended McGovern Medical School and completed his residency training at Texas Children’s Hospital. He joined Texas Children’s Pediatrics PMG after graduation. After decades of practicing medicine, Dr. Ho began the Concierge Medicine program in 2024 at Texas Children’s. In addition to speaking English, he also speaks Cantonese Chinese and Spanish. Dr. Ho is passionate about giving children and families the highest standard of care and is passionate about direct communication with patients and a comprehensive approach to health that encompasses not just physical well-being, but emotional and developmental needs as well.

Links:

Texas Children's Concierge

The Parish School

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In this episode we speak with mental health professional Josie Gardner about ways to navigate tricky conversations with loved ones regarding our child and their needs, diagnosis, challenges and strengths. Josie discusses the positives, and possible negatives, of directly naming and speaking about a diagnosis your child might have. She also gives tips and scripts to help you navigate those conversations while acknowledging they can be emotionally challenging for everyone. Josie’s tips will hopefully help parents feel empowered and secure in handling these tricky conversations.

Josie Gardner is a Social Emotional Support Specialist at The Parish School in Houston, Texas. She is a licensed social worker, who earned her master’s degree in social work (MSW) from The University of Houston. Prior to being at The Parish School, Josie has experience working in childcare and afterschool care programs. She believes in extending patience and support to children as they learn and explore the world around them and is passionate about supporting families.

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In this episode Dr. Natalie Montfort, PhD discusses eloping. She shares what it means for a child to elope or wander and where and when it can happen. She also answers questions about which children are most at risk of eloping and ways families and caregivers can prepare themselves. Throughout this conversation Dr. Montfort provides research-based information for families aimed at empowering, not worrying.

Dr. Natalie Montfort, PhD, works at Montfort Psychology Associates in Houston, Texas. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University, completed her doctoral internship at the UTHealth Science Center and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at The Stewart Center. Dr. Montfort has worked with children and adults with ASD since 2002. She has experience in a variety of training including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (with children, adolescents, and adults), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relationship Development Intervention, Social Thinking and education/educational assessment. Her areas of interest include assessment of children, adolescents and adults; cognitive and behavioral differences in children with neurodevelopmental disorders; treatment of adoption-related issues; treatment of childhood trauma; and animal-assisted therapy.

Links:

Montfort Psychology Associates

Be REDy Booklet

The Parish School

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