What happens when we stop thinking of therapy as a service slot and start seeing it as a system-wide shift in mindset?

 

In this episode of Brighter Together, Susie Tiggs—Director of Education at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing—unpacks a transformational approach to deaf education that prioritizes collaboration, coaching, and deep student engagement.

 

From rethinking cochlear implants to challenging what “support” really means in IEP delivery, Susie walks us through how her team is redefining what works for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. It’s not just about tools—it’s about training, trust, and teaching everyone in the room.

 

If you’ve ever felt stuck between systemic constraints and student needs, this conversation offers something real, hopeful, and immediately actionable.

 

**Key Moments:**

– The evolution (and complexity) of cochlear implant use

– Coaching paraprofessionals and teachers to ensure carryover

– The overlooked power of collaboration time—and what it could solve

– Why remote delivery isn’t a last resort—and how it sometimes does more

 

This episode is a rallying cry for educators who believe that the best therapy happens when we all work together.