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
Please rate and review the podcast, comment about what surprised you or share with a friend!
Find Colleen @theadvocate.slp on instagram!
