Please join authors and educators Peggy S. Bud and Tamara L. Jacobson on Monday evening, April 24, at 7 pm in the Trefz Forum for an exploration of their new book, Navigating Special Education, which provides a timely and innovative roadmap for parents, educators, and administrators to build proactive, positive partnerships that will lead to 21st century best practices for students.
Sivan Hong, a well-known advocate for special education and a bestselling children’s book author, will moderate the conversation.
If you missed the event you may watch the recording here.
This program is in partnership with Westport Together, Westport’School's Special Education PTA and Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, and the Town of Westport's Commission on People with Disabilities.
Navigating Special Education was created to provide a shared vision for educators and parents to most effectively provide for student success. When the school and homework are in synchronicity, they create an improved learning experience. Presented in this insightful work are effective strategies to present your needs in a data-driven, unemotional manner. Learn active listening strategies and other techniques, including perspective taking to deliver best practices resulting in improved student learning. Much of the advice is built up on the 5C Model of Communication: Conversations, Collaboration, Cooperation, Compromise, and Consensus that helps to forge trusted alliances between school districts and families.
Peggy S. Bud
Peggy is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and school administrator with 30+ years’ experience in public education in the special education realm, much of it in Westport. She founded Speaking Skillfully to provide consultation services to families of children with special needs and to help business professionals bridge the communication gap. Peggy advises families on how to successfully advocate for their child by having data-driven conversations and building strong home-school partnerships. She provides professional development opportunities to educators, teaching them how to effectively communicate with parents, write strong educational plans, and differentiate their instruction to address the needs of all students. Peggy has spoken at national conferences, women’s summits, rotary clubs, libraries, and more. Peggy holds a B.S. from Indiana University as well as an M.S. and 6th Year Certificate in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University. Her motto is: It’s more than what you say, it’s how you say it.
Tamara L. Jacobson
Tamara has more than 30 years of experience advocating for children and has taught English as a second language, theater arts, history, public speaking, and language arts. She served as the head of curriculum and instruction for five years and as supervisor. She holds lifetime and praxis certificates in administration and supervision K-12, ESL/Bilingual Education/Dual Language K-12, History K-12, communication arts (public speaking, debate, forensics) K-12, early childhood education PreK-3, and elementary education K-6. Tamara is currently the executive director of East Coast Educational Consulting LLC and has conducted hundreds of workshops for teachers, teacher-aides, therapists, administrators, boards of directors, parent associations, and private community organizations on a wide variety of topics. Tamara holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Administration & Supervision with a concentration in Urban Studies. Currently, she is a doctoral candidate in Learning & Organizational Change at Baylor University. She is expected to graduate in May 2023. Tamara is the mother of three daughters, one of whom lives with severe significant physical and cognitive developmental delays. Her daughter inspires her daily to make a difference in the educational landscape of practice.
Sivan Hong
Sivan's career spans more than two decades in several industries and professions, including holding esteemed positions as a professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business and former partner at The Bridge Span Group. Today, Sivan authors and illustrates the best-selling children’s book series The Super Fun Day Books, including Benny J. and the Horrible Halloween, George J. and the Miserable Monday, Emily D. and the Fearful First Day and Avery G. and the Scary End of School. Her inspiring books focus on neurodiverse children who overcome their challenges with perseverance and bravery. The Super Fun Day Books have even been featured on NBC and
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