Today on the podcast, we welcome Amanda Darrow ( Utah Pride Center ) and Shamby Polychronis ( University of Utah ) to talk about honoring intersectionality between the disability and LGBTQIA+ communities. We cover a lot of ground including the difference between gender/sexuality/sex, pronouns, stats on people who identify as both LGBTQIA+ and disabled, and ways educators can make classrooms more inclusive for both communities. Amanda and Shamby also respond to the question, "If kids consume medi...
Jan 13, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 9Ep. 11
Happy Holidays! To finish off 2021, we are featuring four interviews. One that you haven't heard yet, Lou Brown , and three that you might have caught in our feed if you've been listening for a while: Katie Novak , Alfie Kohn , Cheryl Jorgensen . The first is a previously unpublished clip from my 2019 interview with the co-founder of TASH, the late Lou Brown. I always meant to revisit this interview and I'm so glad I did for this episode. Next up is my interview with universal design for learnin...
Dec 30, 2021•45 min•Season 9Ep. 10
Today on the podcast, we talk with Anthony Ianni , the first autistic Division 1 college basketball player and author of the book, Centered: Autism, Basketball, and One Athlete's Dream . We talk about what it was like growing up, not knowing about his autism diagnosis until high school, playing for the Michigan State basketball team, and what he would tell young people on the autism spectrum about following their dreams. Also in the episode, Tim references the Autistic Self Advocacy Network 's "...
Dec 16, 2021•33 min•Season 9Ep. 9
Content Warning: In today’s episode, we will discuss depictions of the living conditions of institutions for people with disabilities in the 1960s and certain attitudes about people with disabilities that worked there. Today on the podcast, we talk to Howard Shane , author of the book Unsilenced , associate professional at the Harvard Medical School, and the Director of the Autism Language Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. We talk about what it was like to work at Belchertown State School, ...
Nov 25, 2021•45 min•Season 9Ep. 8
Today on the podcast, we discuss the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (otherwise known as the SDLMI). Our guests, Karrie Shogren and Sheida Raley are both from the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities. We talk about what self-determination really means, what is the SDLMI and how it is implemented in inclusive classrooms, and why the SDLMI is really for everyone. This episode's transcript can be found here . To learn more about the SDLMI visit selfdetermination.ku.e...
Nov 11, 2021•37 min•Season 9Ep. 7
Today on the podcast, we interview author, educator, and consultant, Jenna Rufo about her book Reimagining Special Education , and how we can use inclusion as a framework to build equity and support all students. We also discuss what it looks like for students who are not included 80% or more of their day in general education and if there is a bare minimum to what we call inclusive education. This episode's transcript can be found here . Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey ....
Oct 28, 2021•45 min•Season 9Ep. 6
Today on the Think Inclusive Podcast, we interview systems change expert and inclusive education advocate, Michael McSheehan . We talk about what started him on his journey of advocating for inclusive education, his work with SWIFT Schools , the connections between Mult-Tiered Systems of Support and Universal Design for Learning, and if he agrees with the statement, "inclusion done badly is still better than segregation." His answers might surprise you. This episode's transcript can be found her...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 9Ep. 2
Today on the Think Inclusive Podcast, we interview Janice Fialka and Sara Jo Soldovieri, two passionate advocates for inclusive education. We talk about what we really mean by inclusive education, what might make the biggest impact to bring inclusive education to school districts, and how to talk to families who think segregated special education classrooms are really best for their child. This episode's transcript can be found here . Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcast . Visit Th...
Sep 30, 2021•36 min•Season 9Ep. 4
Today on the podcast, we interview Emily Ladau, disability rights activist and author, about her new book Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally . We discuss why this book needed to be written, if there is only one model of disability that is valid, and we even play a little game called, “is it ableist?” This episode's transcript can be found here . Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcast Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive edu...
Sep 16, 2021•31 min•Season 9Ep. 3
Today on the podcast, we interview Genia Stephen, host of the Good Things in Life podcast. We talk about why she started the podcast, what some of the differences and similarities are with the educational systems in the United States and Canada, and if there is such a thing as perfect inclusion. This episode's transcript can be found here . Download our new resource, The Best Inclusive Education Links: 100 links to the best inclusion-related articles, videos, and media on the web . Visit Think I...
Aug 26, 2021•29 min•Season 9Ep. 2
Today on the podcast, we talk with Eric Garcia , author of " We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation ." We discuss the biggest misconceptions of autism, why simply existing is not inspirational, and what his dream for the future of a more inclusive world looks like. This episode's transcript can be found here . Download our new resource, The Best Inclusive Education Links: 100 links to the best inclusion-related articles, videos, and media on the web . Visit Think Inclusive for more i...
Aug 12, 2021•28 min•Season 9Ep. 1
Today on the podcast, we talk with Marilyn Friend , expert and author of numerous books and articles on co-teaching. We discuss what co-teaching is and what does it look like? Do schools have to provide a co-teaching service model? And how does co-teaching further the practice of inclusive education? This episode's transcript can be found here . Download our new resource, The Best Inclusive Education Links: 100 links to the best inclusion-related articles, videos, and media on the web . Visit Th...
Jul 29, 2021•28 min•Season 8Ep. 11
Today on the podcast, we talk with Sarah Wishart , filmmaker of Excluded , a documentary that features the stories and voices of students who have been excluded from school in the United Kingdom. We discuss why she was inspired to make the film by something she saw on Twitter and why she thinks exclusion isn’t good for anyone. This episode's transcript can be found here . Download our new resource, The Best Inclusive Education Links: 100 links to the best inclusion-related articles, videos, and ...
Jul 15, 2021•28 min•Season 8Ep. 10
Today on the podcast, we talk with Maryland’s 2020 Teacher of the year, Wyatt Oroke about what it means to have an inclusive classroom. We discuss his perspective on how having high expectations for all of his scholars is essential and what his dream for the future of education is. This episode's transcript can be found here . Download our new resource, The Best Inclusive Education Links: 100 links to the best inclusion-related articles, videos, and media on the web . Visit Think Inclusive for m...
Jun 24, 2021•29 min•Season 8Ep. 9
Today on the podcast, we talk with Melissa McCullough, Director of Early Childhood for the East Moline School District in Illinois. We discuss what a truly inclusive preschool program looks like and what they are doing to move past the outdated model of providing specialized services in separate places. This episode's transcript can be found here . Download our new resource, The Best Inclusive Education Links: 100 links to the best inclusion-related articles, videos, and media on the web . Visit...
Jun 10, 2021•32 min•Season 8Ep. 8
Today on the podcast, we talk with Dr. Eddie Fergus of Temple University. We discuss the disproportionate number of students of color being identified in special education and what we can do about it. We review how restorative practices might be used in inclusive schools and how the biggest barrier to inclusion might be who we think can teach students with disabilities. Be prepared to unpack the shopping carts of our minds. Eddie Fergus is the author of the book Solving Disproportionality and Ac...
May 20, 2021•36 min•Season 8Ep. 7
Today on the podcast, we talk with Megan Gross and Nancy Brundrett of the Poway Unified School District in Southern California. They tell us how their district has changed how they educate students with significant disabilities and their role in supporting Poway schools with inclusive education. Megan Gross is the author of the books The Inclusion Toolbox: Strategies and Techniques for All Teachers and ParaEducate . This episode's transcript can be found here . Download our new resource, The Bes...
Apr 29, 2021•37 min
Today on the podcast, we talk with Dr. Jenny Kurth, professor of special education at the University of Kansas. We discuss preparing for and implementing participation plans for students with complex support needs to be included in general education. And why we should all carry around pocket-sized versions of IDEA . Jenny Kurth is the author of the book The Inclusion Toolbox: Strategies and Techniques for All Teachers and the article Preparing for and Implementing Effective Inclusive Education W...
Apr 15, 2021•33 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Today on the podcast, we have a very special SUPERSIZED conversation with Alfie Kohn, prolific speaker and author, on human behavior, education, and parenting. We discuss whether bribes or positive reinforcement are really the same things and answer the question…should educators abandon behaviorist ideas altogether? Mr. Kohn is the author of several books, including: Punished by Rewards: Twenty-fifth Anniversary Edition: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes...
Mar 18, 2021•52 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Today on the podcast, a conversation with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) expert, Katie Novak. We talk about some common misconceptions of UDL, how UDL works with students with more significant disabilities, and what it is was like to lead her school district to implement inclusive education. Katie is the author of several books, including: Equity by Design: Delivering on the Power and Promise of UDL Unlearning: Changing Your Beliefs and Your Classroom with UDL This episode's transcript can ...
Feb 18, 2021•26 min•Season 8Ep. 4
Today on the podcast, a rare solo episode about why I call myself an inclusionist. For some, the word "inclusionist" has a negative association. I make the case that there is more to the word than just believing that we should get rid of special education or that inclusion only counts if it is "100%." I tell the story of my inclusion journey and how it led me to what I am doing now, advocating for the full and authentic inclusion for students with disabilities. Thanks for your time and attention...
Jan 22, 2021•33 min•Season 8Ep. 3
Since I started the podcast in 2012, I've always wanted to do a "best of" podcast! Today, we are highlighting five conversations that I had from the early years of the podcast. Paula Kluth talks about why some schools aren't as inclusive as they think they are. Dan Habib discusses how Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) looked for one high school. Julie Causton explains why her research project, called Schools of Promise, shows why inclusion works for all students. Nicole Eredi...
Dec 24, 2020•34 min
Today on the podcast we talk to Shelley Moore, inclusive education consultant and presenter extraordinaire! We talk about what her path looked like to become a special education teacher and why she cares about inclusive education so much. Also, we discuss the major differences between Canada's educational systems and the United States are regarding special education. And what is all this fuss about baked potatoes? And how do they relate to strategic planning for students in the classroom? Check ...
Nov 26, 2020•28 min•Season 8Ep. 2
Today on the podcast, Jennifer Spencer-Iiams, Assistant Superintendent for the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, talks to us about the transformation in her district toward inclusive practices. Her book, Leading for All: How to Create Truly Inclusive and Excellent Schools , shares lessons learned from years building district schools where all students are served in their neighborhood school and classrooms with their general education peers. This episode's transcript can be found here . Visi...
Oct 22, 2020•27 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Discussions around the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for students with disabilities are almost always tricky. For this episode, we attempt to make LRE a little more understandable. We interview Amy Langerman , special education advocate and attorney in California and Arizona. We discuss the difficulty of some parents seeking the Least Restrictive Environment for their child and how services are delivered in both states. Next, we have Amanda Selogie and Vickie Brett from the Inclusive Educa...
Sep 17, 2020•34 min•Season 7Ep. 8
About the Guest(s): Carol Quirk is the CEO of the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE), which she has been involved with since the 1990s. With extensive experience in disability rights and inclusive education, Carol has worked with prominent organizations like TASH and the National Council on Disability. Her career spans efforts to integrate students with significant disabilities into general education settings and She has contributed significantly to national projects funded by the...
Jun 11, 2020•35 min•Season 7Ep. 7
About the Guest(s): Denise Marshall serves as the executive director of the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys (COPPA), a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting the civil and legal rights of students with disabilities. With extensive experience in disability advocacy, Denise leads COPPA to help parents and legal representatives navigate disputes with educational systems. Jennifer Lesh is the 2020 President of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), an association devoted to advanc...
Apr 29, 2020•31 min
About the Guest(s): Juanita Pritchard is an esteemed former intellectual disability specialist with a rich career spanning teaching, community instruction, and assistive technology. Starting her special education journey in 1977, Juanita has been at the forefront of educational trends and innovations, especially in supporting teachers within classrooms designed for students with intellectual disabilities. Although now retired, she provides consulting services and curates educational materials ta...
Feb 23, 2020•30 min•Season 7Ep. 6
About the Guest(s): Jackie Mader is a seasoned journalist with The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit education news outlet. With rich experience in special education, Jackie draws from her background as a teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina, combined with years of in-depth research into the challenges and advancements within teacher preparation for inclusive education settings. Christina Samuels serves as an Associate Editor at Education Week, having covered special education since 2004. With a bac...
Nov 02, 2019•30 min•Season 7Ep. 5
About the Guest(s): Erin Green is the leader of Brave Commons, an LGBTQ advocacy organization focused on creating equitable spaces in Christian universities. She is an outspoken activist for LGBTQ rights within faith communities. Through Brave Commons, Green organizes efforts to support and defend LGBTQ students from discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Mike McHargue (Science Mike) Mike McHargue, also known as Science Mike, is an author, speaker, and host known f...
Oct 01, 2019•27 min•Season 7Ep. 4
