Episode 15: Teacher Voices: Bilingual Education, IEPs and Inclusion

In this episode, Colleen (@TheAdvocate.SLP) is joined by her friends, two passionate bilingual general education teachers, Melissa and Ivania, to discuss the intersection of bilingual education and special education. Each with over a decade of classroom experience, Melissa and Ivania share their firsthand perspectives on being part of IEP teams, supporting multilingual learners with disabilities, and navigating the realities of inclusion in a bilingual setting.

This episode defines the differences between bilingual programs, the emotional and practical preparation for IEP meetings, and how improved collaboration, support, and communication really make a positive impact for all team members—especially for parents who speak languages other than English at home.

Whether you're a special educator, SLP, administrator, or classroom teacher, this conversation offers valuable insights into what true inclusion looks like—and what still needs to change.

Takeaways:

• 👋 How Colleen met Melissa and Ivania

• 💡 What inspired them to become educators

• 🏫 Types of bilingual programs

• 🧩 Inclusion in bilingual settings

• 📝 Preparing for IEP meetings as a Gen Ed teacher

• 🚫 Barriers in the system

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Supporting parents with limited English proficiency in the IEP process

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  Find Colleen @theadvocate.slp on instagram!