Responsive Roots: Where Culture Meets Collaboration in SPED Preparation

This session explores how teacher educators can embed culturally responsive practices and interdisciplinary collaboration into special education preparation. Learn practical strategies to design coursework and field experiences that prepare candidates to build authentic partnerships, honor student identity, and move beyond compliance-driven approaches in diverse educational settings.Participants will be able to: 1. Design coursework and field experiences that intentionally embed culturally responsive and collaborative practices, preparing SPED candidates to engage meaningfully with students, families, and interdisciplinary teams. 2. Implement instructional strategies such as co-teaching simulations, equity-based case studies, and reflective dialogue protocols that support pre-service teachers in recognizing and responding to cultural identity and systemic inequities in special education contexts. 3. Model and assess candidate competencies related to interdisciplinary collaboration and culturally sustaining pedagogy, using evidence-based frameworks like High-Leverage Practices and culturally responsive teaching principles.