Episode 4: Integration vs Inclusion in the Classroom Marla starts off the podcast with talking about someone who she idolizes from the inclusion perspective and that is Shelley Moore. In one of Shelley's videos she made a statement about "what is the purpose of all of our kids being together in an social environment like school". In this podcast Marla and Tina first start by looking at what "integration" is and then move on to talk about what "inclusion" looks like. Inclusive education is a mindset not a placement. That every child has a right to have a meaningful, appropriate, equivalent education as their typical peers. They talk about the 3 C's of inclusion: Connection: for all peers and educators need to be educated more on how we can make friends with others and be educated better on disabilities and how do we teach each other being respectful of everyone's circumstances so a connection can be made. Contribution: all stakeholders need to value the differences and the different learning styles, so that the child can make a connection to the curriculum, participate and be a productive member in the classroom, where their contribution is valued. Community: looks at how when there are proper supports for children with disabilities, belief that everyone should learn the curriculum together and the teachers partner with the parents to make the lesson more meaningful by providing a connection then there is a "community" that is being built around these children with disabilities to be successful in the classroom. Tina and Marla provide tangible ideas to help educators make the classroom a more inclusive environment for all students, and they hope that teachers will reach out to them for support. If you want to be a speaker on our podcast or if you are looking for us to speak at your event or classroom, please email us at [email protected]

How Marla and Tina Met and Their Vision Both Tina and Marla met at the first Rachel Hollis's Rise Business conference in Charleston. Marla went to this conference to get inspired, and be a part of the energy that was in that room of business entrepreneurs. She was listening to so many business webinars and podcasts and nothing was clicking. She needed something new and fresh and it was so exciting because that is where she met Tina, and she knew from the passion and energy she got from Tina she wanted to collaborate with her. Tina was drawn to Rachel and her gift to build a community, where she wants to see others thrive and do big things. One thing from Rachel's book that stood out to Tina was "if you are unhappy, that's on you", it was like a punch in the gut that made Tina realize that she had to take ownership of her life. That was the motivation she needed at the time to sign her and her husband Dustin up to attend the Rise Business conference. Tina and Marla both walked away with a fire in their bellies to create a partnership to start educating society on "disability inclusion", as they are both Moms of children with disabilities. To make a difference and to have a conversation around this topic! They are two Moms from very different disability worlds, but wanting to bring their passion to help spread awareness to "RISE" up the conversation on disability inclusion and making it a more inclusive community for everyone! If you want to be a speaker on our podcast or if you are looking for us to speak at your event or classroom, please email us at [email protected]

Intro:    Hey there! My name is Tina, I love to do anything fun including Cross Fit, Dirt Biking and Basketball. I have an awesome Husband Dustin always with me on all of my adventures.    We have 5 children, I’m about to be one of those moms who has a High Schooler, Middle schoolers, Elementary and a preschooler… I always wondered how that happened, well now I know.     My middle daughter Noel is Diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy and spends her life in a wheelchair on life support, but that doesn’t stop us from taking her anywhere or doing anything, including a road trip to Corpus Christi, TX and most recently a Disney Cruise.    I heard a poem once about how having a child with special needs is like living in Holland, while having typical kids is like Italy, so I like to say I have dual citizen ship in Holland and Italy.   Share a bit about Noel’s Story      What do I do:     As a mother of a daughter with a disability I know I need to help educate others. I’m own TinaB and I am a Disability Inclusion Educator. I am on a mission to teach students and parents how they can be more inclusive to the disability and special needs community.  This mission is close to my heart because I have a daughter who’s in a wheelchair but I also have four other kiddos who I am teaching how to love and include people who are different than them.    *I speak to students, parents and educators to bring the message of inclusion.     “Integration is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice and friends at the table; let’s just say that if a food fight breaks out every child should be able to participate, even the ones who need help throwing the mashed potatoes!”   *I wrote a book called “The Climb” -Letters form the mountain  It’s my Journey of raising a daughter who is medically fragile and disabled. I truly believe that we were given mountains so we could learn how to climb. Sign up here: https://mc.disabilitieseducator.com/theclimb I use social media to get my message out: Watch on Youtube Follow on Instagram Follow My TikTok FaceBook: Follow on Facebook Website: Website  

Who Is Marla Murasko? Hi, I’m Marla Murasko and when people ask me to share a little about who I am, I share that: I am an Award-Winning Down Syndrome Advocate, Speaker, Talk Show Co-Host, Author, Community Builder but my “real” job is Mom! The one I am MOST proud of! I have a passion for advocacy, especially for individuals with Down Syndrome.. I see firsthand the challenges that individuals with Down Syndrome experience, and know personally the barriers that parents face when advocating for the rights of their child. I am dedicated to spreading awareness for inclusion and understanding for individuals with Down syndrome. And I love to empower Moms to find their advocacy voice! As a recognized speaker I have spoken on several different stages, but my proudest moment was when I had the privilege of speaking on the global stage at the United Nations for World Down Syndrome Day in 2017. My life’s mission is to help make the world a more accepting place for my son and for all individuals with Down syndrome and all abilities. I am proud to say that last year my family launched our nonprofit called “Special & Determined”, whose mission is to help families of children with Down Syndrome by providing financial support for therapeutic services and early interventions, to build a path to a more accepting and inclusive society, where all individuals with Down Syndrome can contribute. What I Do? So when asked what is it that I do? I share that: I am passionate about educating society on the acceptance and inclusion for individuals with Down Syndrome. So people see their “capabilities“, not their disabilities. How do I do this: Speaking at nonprofit events, schools, community events Co-hosting my Facebook Live Talk Show Down Right Capable Being a member of the National Down Syndrome Society Inclusive Education Task Force and being an NDSS DS-Ambassador, attending advocacy events Being a member of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress Public Awareness Committee Vice-President, of family run nonprofit Special & Determined where we provide financial support to families of children with Down Syndrome so they can access early intervention and therapeutic services Community Builder -I love bringing moms together to help share our stories, provide support, resources and encouragement to each other. Through my private Facebook group “Moms of Down Syndrome” Moms come to have “real conversations” in a safe place. I have authored two books “Jacob’s Journal - My Journey Home” and “Adventures with a Special Traveler” Why I Do What I Do The day my son was born, a whole new journey started for me. That of an ADVOCATE! My family and I quickly became his biggest and loudest supporters. Why? Because he deserves the same opportunities as his peers. You can follow me at my website: www.marlamuraskospeaker.com and you find all my social media platforms there.