Explore every episode of the podcast The PL Project: Expanding Possibilities
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The PL Project 25: Kelly Fonner and Sayard Bass | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:32:28 | |
NSSEO District Coaches Tara Hanson and Kim Wimer sit down with Kelly Fonner and Sayard Bass to discuss their upcoming presentation at the NSSEO Jan 5th Institute Day titled Beyond the Checklist: Applying QIAT for Real-World AT Implementation. NSSEO and member district staff can click here to register. Kelly Fonner is a special educator and AT consultant who has been a para-educator, teacher, instructional media specialist, assistive technology specialist in EI, K-12, university, and statewide settings. Kelly has presented in the field of AT/AAC for over 40 years across the US and internationally. She is a leadership member of Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT), WI AAC Network, an ATIA Conference Adviser, and is a co-author of the QIAT books. You can find out more information about Kelly and her services at www.kellyfonner.com. Sayard Bass is a Speech Pathologist and Assistive Technology Professional with the Southwest Cook County Cooperative near Chicago, where she built and leads the cooperative's AT program supporting 11 districts. She also teaches in the Assistive Technology Certificate Program at UIC and in AAC coursework at the College of DuPage. Sayard recently joined the QIAT leadership team, has collaborated nationally on QIAT and QIAT-PS initiatives, presents at conferences across the country, and was honored as a Joy Zabala Fellow in 2024. She believes deeply in sharing and teaching as essential parts of learning. Find out more about QIAT and the resources mentioned in this podcast here. | |||
| The PL Project 24: Shannon Wess and Carly Franzgrote | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:45:28 | |
NSSEO District Coaches Tara Hanson and Sheena Gunia sit down to chat with Shannon Wess and Carly Franzgrote to talk about their upcoming sessions at the NSSEO Institute Day on January 5, 2026. Shannon will be presenting Beyond Compliance: Earning Instructional Control While Prioritizing Dignity and Respect - Easter Seals - AM Session 8:30-11:30. Carly's session titled Look Who's Talking! Increasing Communication Across Environments - Easter Seals - PM Session will be from 12:30-3:30 both at Harper College. NSSEO and member district staff can click on the links to register through Kickup. You won't want to miss these! Shannon Wess, MSW, BCBA, is a behavior analyst with a strong background in autism services, special education coaching, and staff development. She has led training and professional learning programs that energize and empower educators, and she created First Response, an autism awareness program for first responders. Shannon has presented at regional, national, and international conferences. She holds a master's in social work with a behavioral health focus and a post-master's certificate in applied behavior analysis. Carly Franzgrote, MS, CCC-SLP, is an Autism Specialist with the Illinois Autism Partnership. She began her career as a respite care provider, which sparked her passion for supporting individuals with autism and complex communication needs. As a speech-language pathologist in school settings, Carly developed deep expertise in AAC, functional communication, and coaching teams to carry over communication strategies. She holds a BA in elementary education with a special education endorsement and an MS in speech-language pathology from St. Ambrose University, along with her LBS1 and ASHA clinical certification. You can find more information about the important work that Shannon and Carly do at EasterSeals, along with helpful resources on their website. Also, follow them on Instagram @eastersealsiap. | |||
| Episode 15: Jimmy Casas | 10 Oct 2023 | 00:59:24 | |
Jimmy served twenty-two years as a school leader. He is a best selling author, speaker, leadership coach, and a state and national award winning principal. Under Jimmy's leadership, Bettendorf High School was named one of the best high schools in the country three times by Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report. JImmy was named the 2012 Iowa Principal of the Year and was runner-up NASSP 2013 National Principal of the Year. In 2014, Jimmy was invited to the White House to speak on the Future Ready Pledge. Finally, in 2015, he received the Bammy Award for the National Principal of the Year. Join Kristie and Rylee as we listen in on Jimmy Casas answers on the latest concerns facing teachers and administrators today. | |||
| CMIYC 14: Interoception Curriculum with Kelly Maher | 13 Dec 2022 | 00:24:31 | |
Join us for an exciting interview with Kelly Maher with NSSEO District Coach Kristie Wurglitz and Kirk School Occupational Therapist Julie Hollamby. In this episode, we dive deeper into Interoception discussing how to utilize this with students, where to start, steps to support staff, replacing compliance with curiosity, and increasing motivation amongst students and staff. | |||
| CMIYC 013 Elena Aguilar | 25 Apr 2022 | 00:32:22 | |
Join us for an exciting interview with Elena Aguilar and NSSEO District Coaches Kristie Wurglitz and Beh Mand. In this episode, we talk through cultivating resilience through the pandemic, Coaching roles, lifelong learning, and how to create fun and engaging professional development opportunities. | |||
| CMIYC Summer Learning Opportunities 2022 | 16 Mar 2022 | 00:17:56 | |
Rylee Coteus and Nicole Burke discuss available trainings coming this summer. | |||
| CMIYC 011 What does a BCBA do? | 14 Mar 2022 | 00:43:02 | |
Our NSSEO coaches discuss topics surrounding BCBA | |||
| CMIYC 010 Dan Pink | 11 Jan 2022 | 00:30:28 | |
Join us for a dynamic interview with Daniel Pink and NSSEO District Coach Kristie Wurglitz. And Professional Learning Coordinator, Stacy Colgan. In this episode we discuss several of Daniel's best-selling books and topics such as engagement, autonomy, and creativity. | |||
| CMIYC 009 NSSEO Mentor Program with Mentee Domnika Mac | 15 Nov 2021 | 00:17:17 | |
Stacy Colgan talks to 1st year mentee Domnika Mac on how her year is going and gives advice for future mentees. | |||
| CMIYC 008 Paula Kluth | 04 Nov 2021 | 00:31:06 | |
Join us for a dynamic interview with Paula Kluth and NSSEO District Coaches Kristie Wurglitz and Nicole Burke. In this episode we discuss keys to facilitating meetings and beyond. | |||
| CMIYC 007 Facilitated IEP Robin O'Shea and Cassie Velasquez | 20 Oct 2021 | 00:37:30 | |
Join us for a dynamic interview with Key2Ed facilitators Robin O'Shea and Cassie Velasquez., and NSSEO District Coach Rylee Coteus. In this episode we discuss keys to facilitating meetings and beyond. | |||
| CMIYC 006 Orly Klapholz | 29 Sep 2021 | 00:21:56 | |
Join us for a dynamic interview with Orly Klapholz and NSSEO District Coach Amie Krummick. In this episode we discuss keys to facilitating meetings and beyond. | |||
| The PL Project 23: Kim Brown | 15 May 2025 | 00:30:08 | |
On this episode, Kristie and Sheena talk with Kim Brown about her expansive work with the Verbal Behavior Milestones and Placement Program (VB-MAPP). Kim Brown has been working in the field of special education for the past 23 years in a variety of roles including a teaching assistant, special education teacher, instructional and behavioral coach, principal/Program Director, Coordinator for Autism Programming and Director of Professional Learning from Early Childhood to High School. Her work centers around special education programming and best practices in assessment, curriculum development and instruction. In addition she works with educational leaders to develop an infrastructure to maintain systems of support around professional learning goals and implementation to provide continuous short term and long term growth for educational teams.
In the episode, we talk with Kim on the student benefits of utilizing the data from the VB-MAPP assessment to learn more about your students, how this data can be intertwined with how to deliver instruction and curriculum to students across all areas, the importance of understanding verbal behavior for all educators, and overall some helpful tips and suggestions for teams when it comes to getting started on the assessment and teaching to use the results.
Listeners can find more information on Verbal Behavior Milestones and Placement Program on Mark L. Sundberg's website, The Pattan Website- which includes a lot of video explanations, and utilizing NSSEO's coaches/consultants especially when it comes to getting started. | |||
| CMIYC 005 Williiam Parker: Pause. Breathe. Flourish. | 13 Sep 2021 | 00:31:46 | |
Join us for an enlightening interview with NSSEO district coach Kristie Wurglitz, NSSEO Professional Learning Coordinator Stacy Colgan, and author William D. Parker. In this episode we discuss ways to practice self-care in order to help others, find solutions, and reach goals. | |||
| CMIYC 004 Kristie Wurglitz How to Leave Your Classroom Better Than You Found It | 26 May 2021 | 00:30:21 | |
Join us for an informative conversation between NSSEO district coaches Kristie Wurglitz and Rylee Coteus. Our NSSEO coaches share out different tips and ideas on how to close out your classroom and prepare for summer. | |||
| CMIYC 003 Dr. Kristen Brendel From Stress to Resilience | 17 May 2021 | 00:39:11 | |
Join us for a mindful conversation with Dr. Kristen Brendel and NSSEO district coaches Amie Krummick and Rylee Coteus. | |||
| CMIYC 002 Dr. Amie Krummick: Silver Linings of the Dumpster Fire | 10 May 2021 | 00:38:34 | |
Join us for an engaging conversation between NSSEO district coaches Amie Krummick and Rylee Coteus as they share out the bright sides of the consistent inconsistency brought out by the pandemic. | |||
| Coach Me If You Can 001 Dr. Judy Hackett | 30 Apr 2021 | 00:25:36 | |
Our debut episode. In this episode of Coach Me If You Can, host Rylee Coteus interviews Northwest Suburban Special Educational Organization's Superintendent Dr. Judy Hackett. Join us for captivating interview where we discover the importance of the work at NSSEO and dig into the work of Simon Sinek to understand the why at NSSEO and how it translates between work and home. | |||
| The PL Project 22: Don Johnston | 27 Jan 2025 | 00:34:45 | |
For over 40 years, Don Johnston, founder and CEO of Building Wings, has helped students and teachers build literacy skills through specially-designed curriculum and assistive technology. His technologies, implementation, and personal connections have made the impossible possible in over 32,000 schools across America. At the heart of Don's endeavors is inspiration gained during his personal journey as a reader who struggled in school. In eighth grade, a teacher recognized his potential and helped him think and learn in non-traditional ways. This is the philosophy behind all of Don's product development and company endeavors. Through Don's leadership and long-standing partnerships with interdisciplinary experts, Building Wings is creating special education resources to help many more students reach new heights in their literacy development. | |||
| The PL Project 21: Robert Pennington | 20 Dec 2024 | 00:39:20 | |
On this episode, Danielle and Sheena talk with Dr. Robert Pennington about his expansive work with individuals with complex learning needs and how to program for students using high leverage practices. Rob is a former special educator, well accomplished professor, BCBA, and leader in educational research. His current research focuses around high leverage practices as well as innovative educational methodologies of using technology and robots within the classroom. | |||
| The PL Project 20: Karen Erickson Part 2 | 05 Dec 2024 | 00:41:07 | |
On this episode, Tara and Danielle talk with Dr. Karen Erickson about a few of the free resources available for educators who support students with complex learning profiles. Karen is a former teacher of students with significant disabilities. Her current research addresses literacy and communication assessment and intervention for students with extensive support needs, as well as the supportiveness of augmentative and alternative communication in interaction. Karen and her colleague's recent projects have focused on creating open-source professional development and implementation supports such as those available in Project VC (projectvc.org), Project Core (project-core.com) and Tar Heel Shared Reader (sharedreader.org). On the show, Karen recommended that teachers explore the DLM Professional Development modules ASAP! She also shared information about Building Bridges which currently has videos to describe each of the conditions for learning outlined in Chapter 2 Comprehensive Literacy for All. In the future, this website will have lesson plans and instructional resources, once they are ready. You can buy Karen and David's book Comprehensive Literacy for All on the publisher's website or on Amazon. | |||
| Episode 19 - Paula Kluth | 14 Nov 2024 | 00:48:05 | |
On this episode, Kristie Wurglitz and Tara Hanson talk with Paula Kluth on her work with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Her work centers around providing support around inclusion, co-teaching, and universal design for learning. She has written over 15 books supporting parents and staff on these topics and she has won several awards within her profession. In the episode, we talk with Paula about the benefits of using co-teaching as a tool for inclusion, utilizing co-teaching structures, co-teaching with related services, and how to make co-teaching collaboration work with limited time and resources. Listeners can find more information about Paula's work at her inclusion rules website. "30 Days in the co-taught classroom" is one of her best-selling books which you can access on her website or on Amazon. | |||
| Episode 18 - Dr. Ross Greene | 30 Sep 2024 | 00:23:14 | |
Nicole Burke and Beth Mand interview Dr. Ross Greene | |||
| Episode 17: Mary Barbera | 28 May 2024 | 00:47:37 | |
| Episode 16: Karen Erickson | 23 Oct 2023 | 00:38:59 | |
Join Kristie Wurglitz and Maureen Brandywine as we talk to Karen Erickson. Karen Erickson, Ph.D. is the Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, a Professor in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, and the Yoder Distinguished Professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research addresses literacy assessment and instruction for struggling readers of all ages including those with significant disabilities. Karen is co-developer of the Tar Heel Reader online library of accessible books for beginning readers, as well as several other assistive and learning technologies. She is a former teacher of children with significant disabilities. | |||