Episode 206: Kara Cotter: Improving AAC Training Opportunities for Teachers and Families (Part 1)

This week, Chris has a discussion with AT Specialist Kara Cotter! Kara asked Chris about her current efforts to get greater buy-in from teachers, ideas for moving to a coaching model in her district, and strategies for training teachers and students.

Before the interview, Chris and Rachel kick off the new year with a discussion a group they are thankful for in the new year - the Talking with Tech fans! The support of the community has been huge to helping our podcast continue! Chris also talks about a few specific fans who approached him at presentations and why he appreciated those interactions, and how he was recently reminded that not everyone is in the “AAC bubble” and knows what AAC is.

Key ideas this week:

🔑 When teachers and/or staff ask for help with AAC, consider providing them with a professional development experience (e.g. email with short videos explaining key concepts, how-to’s, etc) to empower them before getting involved. 

🔑 If you have a folder on a shared drive with videos or documents for AAC training, try and make it as easy  as possible to follow, e.g. have a “Read Me” file at the top with a guide on how to go through the training.

🔑 In some states, it is possible to submit teacher trainings for professional development credit - consider this as an option, if applicable, to help motivate teachers to attend the trainings.