Innovative and Inclusive Practices

The Innovative and Inclusive Preschool Practices Exemplar Lead(s) provide innovative and inclusive classroom models and technical assistance for preschool continuum options in order to ensure that students found eligible for special education and related services have access to the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).  These Exemplar Lead(s) have established programs in place that have provided positive outcomes for students and families.

Exemplar Leads for Innovative and Inclusive Practices

Liberty Grammer
Innovative and Inclusive Practices Exemplar Lead
Bonita Unified School District

Liberty Grammer has worked as a School Psychologist since 2009, joining the Bonita Unified School District (BUSD) in 2010.  She has led the Preschool Assessment Team since 2012, working and collaborating closely with the BUSD team of specialists and providers in addition to community agencies including the San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center and Options for Learning Head Start in support of IDEA Part C to Part B assessments.  Liberty has been instrumental in supporting the B.L.A.S.T. program (Building Lifelong Academic Skills Together), a preschool inclusion program in the BUSD that promotes inclusivity while teaching play and social skills, pre-academic skills, as well as adaptive skills to preschool aged children.   

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Taylor Smith
Innovative and Inclusive Practices Exemplar Lead
Bonita Unified School District

Taylor Smith is a Program Specialist with the Bonita Unified School District (BUSD) in San Dimas, California.  She has more than 16 years of experience working in the field of special education, and holds both mild/moderate and moderate/severe teaching credentials.  Taylor served on the BUSD preschool assessment team for 4 years and was the district’s Inclusion Specialist prior to becoming a Program Specialist for Elementary Programs.  

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Janel Plack
Innovative and Inclusive Practices Exemplar Lead
Sonoma County SELPA

Janel Plack is a Program Specialist at the Sonoma County SELPA and Charter SELPA.  Janel has over 30 years of experience as a Special Educator.  She has worked with student populations from infancy through adulthood as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Special Education Administrator, and Principal.  Janel's greatest interest is with Early Childhood Education.  She is a proponent of working as a team (family, staff, and administration) to support any and all students.

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Innovative and Inclusive Practices Resources

Events

Events
Inclusive Program Overviews & Panel
You will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of professionals including Education Specialists Service Providers Administrators and others regarding inclusive practices building inclusive ...more
Events
Virtual Training at No Cost
CalECSE offers Virtual Training Sessions on a variety of topics available at no cost

Tools

Tools
Innovative and Inclusive Practices - Compilation of Resources
This compilation of resources provides information and links for understanding inclusion and learning inclusive practices and strategies that can be used in the classroom to ...more
Tools
Innovative and Inclusive Practices - Classroom Considerations and Strategies to Support Young Learners
Our inclusive and innovative practice exemplars share evidence-based strategies for creating classrooms that support all early learners
Tools
CalECSE Brochure
Learn more about the CalECSE Commitment

Training Slides

Training Slides
Innovative and Inclusive Practices - Community of Practice: Evidence Based Practices and Overcoming Barriers
Training Slides
Innovative and Inclusive Practices - Community of Practice, Deep Dive

Recorded Trainings

Recorded Trainings
How to Build an Inclusive Program
CalECSE s Innovative and Inclusive Practices Exemplar Lead team will discuss the development and implementation of an inclusive preschool program that is located in Southern ...more

Support Materials ...view

Overview Videos

Overview Videos
Innovative & Inclusive Practices: Special Education Best Practices for Transitioning to Preschool
Inclusive learning environments often support better outcomes in academics social skills behavior and self-advocacy for students with disabilities In this video CalECSE Exemplar Leads from ...more
Overview Videos
BLAST in Bonita Unified: Building an Inclusive Preschool Program
Have you wondered what inclusion looks like in a preschool classroom This video highlights a typical day in a Bonita Unified School District preschool classroom ...more

Outside Resources

Outside Resources
The Powerful Role of Play in Early Education: Curriculum Planning Handbook
Best Practices for Planning Curriculum for Young Children by the California Department of Education
Outside Resources
Rightful Presence and Inclusive Early Education Programs as the First Consideration for Children with Disabilities
California Department of Education Letter