Lisa Mosko has worked for over 13 years to support families with children with learning differences to advocate and plan for their kids’ social, emotional, and academic success. She is the leader of  Speak UP’s Special Education Task Force, which serves to engage, train and empower Los Angeles parents to take action in support of policies that directly impact their kids. Lisa also serves on LA Unified School District’s Community Advisory Committee and serves as an elected parent representative liaison between parents and administration at her kids’ LAUSD school.

Lisa joins me today to discuss why parents and specialist organizations have to be the union reps for differently-abled kids, how Lisa was inspired to be an advocate, and her work at Speak Up. She shares her thoughts on the lawsuit brought against the LAUSD for failing to meet the needs of children with special education needs by not providing in-person learning. Lisa also shares why morale is currently flagging for parents of different learners in LA, and what's next up for Speak Up.

“We have to keep looking towards our kids' ability and approach them through that lens and raise awareness for everyone else; there's so much ability in (dis)Ability.” - Lisa Mosko

Lyeah Granderson is an Educator and Behavior & Reading Specialist at the Exceptional Children's Foundation in Culver City who works tirelessly with people of all abilities to help them reach their greatest potential and discover where their talents and passions lie. The Exceptional Children’s Foundation supports more than 5,000 children, adults, and their families throughout L.A. County and provides a life long services to clients to help them live as independently as possible with the right support Lyeah is committed to amplifying the voices of teachers and students and striving for an education system based on the principle of equality. 

Lyeah joins me today to share what inspired her to become an educator and the joy and pride she feels when she supports children to engage with their learning and enjoy the activities. She elaborates on her role at the Exceptional Children’s Foundation, her plans for a future in community education, and why she was inspired to move in that direction. Lyeah also shares the things she wishes that parents knew about their children’s teachers and the importance of working as a team with families and having a growth mindset to help you move forward. 

“Kids want to feel successful, so if they’re successful at something and you set them up for success, they’re going to meet the challenge.” - Lyeah Granderson

Georgianna Junco-Kelman is the principal and managing attorney at The Law Offices of Georgianna Junco-Kelman, and her practice focuses solely on representing children and adults with special needs. Her personal experience of parenting a child with special educational needs led her to immerse herself in special education law then found her legal practice in 2008, which is exclusively dedicated to the representation of students with disabilities. Georgianna serves on the Autism Speaks Southern California Board of Directors and in 2011 co-founded Autism Speaks Southern California’s premier gala annual fundraiser, she also serves on the Board of Directors of Shane’s Inspiration, an international non-profit organization dedicated to fostering social inclusion for children with disabilities. 

Georgianna joins me today to share why she is so passionate about keeping children in mainstream education when it is the best thing for them educationally and socially and describes how she learned about the educational rights her child had. She shares why it is so important that parents are actively involved in their child’s schooling and elaborates on the importance of being well prepared when navigating the IEP process. Georgianna also shares the steps that parents should take if they are not supported by their school district with the appropriate schooling for their child and gives an overview of how she helps her clients to get off on the right foot in IEP meetings from the start. 

“You’ve got to bring these kids out of the shadows, you’ve got to give them the spotlight, you’ve got to show them they are as typical kids as anyone they just need to be accepted and included.” - Georgianna Junco-Kelman

Different Learners Los Angeles is a podcast about neurodiversity, advocacy and special education.