Think Inclusive

By MCIE

Think Inclusive exists to build bridges between families, educators, and disability rights advocates to create a shared understanding of inclusive education and what inclusion looks like in the real world.

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Marci Heit | QD Foodie

Think InclusiveDec 16, 2018

00:00

15:51

Dr. Temple Grandin | Visual Thinking

For this episode, I speak with Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University and the author of New York Times bestsellers Animals in Translation, Animals Make Us Human, The Autistic Brain, and Thinking in Pictures which became an HBO movie starring Claire Danes.

Temple and I discuss why she wanted to write Visual Thinking, what educational advocates can learn from how she helped improve the welfare of farm animals, and what educators can do to support visual thinkers.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Otter.ai Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/SPILF2Rg8javovXe3zpyGtsDIgc

PDF Transcript: https://3bd6e695-b492-4878-afa9-f79d8b09e0c4.usrfiles.com/ugd/3bd6e6_f0c6eadc852a4b4cb0f4fe044bb354d6.pdf

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/TI-Temple-Grandin

Cover Art Image Description: black background; think inclusive logo in the top left; rainbow-colored waves overlayed with a headshot of Temple Grandin; text reads: Dr. Temple Grandin, Visual Thinking; MCIE logo in the bottom right

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Jan 19, 202346:12

Ashley Barlow | Perfectly Imperfect Advocacy

For this episode, I speak with Ashley Barlow, a special education attorney advocate and host of the podcast Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow. In a former life, she was a German teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools and Cincinnati Public Schools, having taught nearly every grade from K to 12. Ashley practices statewide in Kentucky and also operates a business to empower and inspire parents and advocates in special education, which can be found at www.ashleybarlowco.com. She is also the Director of Education at the National Down Syndrome Congress.

We did something a little different for this episode. Ashley and I interviewed each other and are posting the same interview on our respective podcasts. Cool right? We discuss several things related to inclusive education, including … what inclusive ed really means and using Dear Colleague Letters as a strategy in IEP meetings.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Otter.ai Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/JiXRvYh8mFPHeFaGzeV6mM7Z5pk

PDF Transcript: https://3bd6e695-b492-4878-afa9-f79d8b09e0c4.usrfiles.com/ugd/3bd6e6_5b131ba558eb4a168d1623daddbfaa29.pdf

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/TI-Ashley-Barlow

Cover Art Image Description: black background; think inclusive logo in the top left; rainbow-colored waves overlayed with a headshot of Ashley Barlow; text reads: Ashley Barlow, Perfectly Imperfect Advocacy; S10E12; MCIE logo in the bottom right

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Jan 12, 202356:05

Jay Ruderman | All About Change

For this episode, Tim speaks with Jay Ruderman, the President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, focusing on inclusion, diversity, and social justice. He hosts All About Change, a podcast focused on activism, change, and courage.

Jay is a social justice activist who has spent his life promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities. Through his foundation, he has been an integral part of holding the entertainment industry accountable for its lack of authentic representation of people with disabilities.

Just a quick content warning, Jay and I discuss some sensitive topics, such as suicide, school shootings, and gun violence. Our conversation was recorded in May of 2022.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Otter.ai Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/tgKg6ts9AFRiISJMPI6mu7RwXRM

PDF Transcript: https://3bd6e695-b492-4878-afa9-f79d8b09e0c4.usrfiles.com/ugd/3bd6e6_be3c7c83dfe347f48c991e543229b6f4.pdf

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/all-about-change

Cover Art Image Description: black background; think inclusive logo in the top left; rainbow-colored waves overlayed with a headshot of Jay Ruderman; text reads: Jay Ruderman, All About Change; S10E11; MCIE logo in the bottom right

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Dec 22, 202236:40

TASH | Characteristics of Fully Inclusive Schools

For this episode, Tim speaks with members of the Inclusive Education Community of Practice from TASH, Debbie Taub, Diane Ryndak, and Mary Fisher, about TASH’s position statement on the characteristics of fully inclusive schools.

So just a point of clarification. We recorded this interview earlier this year before the annual conference in Phoenix, the first weekend of December. Tim will give his full recap and reflection of that TASH conference in his audio newsletter, The Weeklyish. Go to weeklyish.substack.com to subscribe and get it in your inbox when it drops next week.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Otter.ai Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/6b10zs5hfS7EK_djD90tCo0wEvM

PDF Transcript: https://3bd6e695-b492-4878-afa9-f79d8b09e0c4.usrfiles.com/ugd/3bd6e6_1a9b8cc81a47491fbddea27cbd671e30.pdf

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/TI-TASH

Cover Art Image Description: black background; think inclusive logo in the top left; rainbow-colored waves overlayed with TASH logo; text reads: Characteristics of Fully Inclusive Schools; S10E10; MCIE logo in the bottom right

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Dec 08, 202246:08

Charmaine Thaner | The Art of Advocacy

In this episode, Tim Villegas speaks with Charmaine Thaner, an inclusion advocate and founder of Collaborative Special Education Advocacy.

They discuss her journey from being a self-contained special education teacher to an inclusion advocate and including her son with Down syndrome in school from preschool to college. Charmaine describes her early work as a special education teacher in the 1970s when few students with disabilities were in public schools. She also talks about her work today, equipping families and educators to advocate for inclusive education.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Otter.ai Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/AEbSJSrQ2NjM0uEGofmJzdrXu7M

PDF Transcript: https://3bd6e695-b492-4878-afa9-f79d8b09e0c4.usrfiles.com/ugd/3bd6e6_4f15200d1bdd496e987f3ab67c2e8bd6.pdf

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/TI-Charmaine-Thaner

Cover Art Image Description: black background; think inclusive logo in the top left; rainbow-colored waves overlayed with a headshot of Charmaine Thaner; text reads: Charmaine Thaner | The Art of Advocacy; S10E9; MCIE logo in the bottom right

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Nov 10, 202248:12

Kanwal Singh | Inclusive Education in India

For this episode, Tim speaks with Kanwal Singh, former director of the Vishwas school and author of Hanging On: A Special Educator’s Journey into Inclusive Education.

Kanwal and Tim reflect on her career working with students with disabilities in special schools and why her attitude changed toward inclusive practices. They discuss her experience as the director at Vishwas school and what she’s learned about sustaining inclusive education over the years. And what teachers need to know if they want to keep inclusive education going in their school or district.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Otter.ai Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/STNVD0IVekrI0SlYnwOkCEqXuos

PDF Transcript: https://3bd6e695-b492-4878-afa9-f79d8b09e0c4.usrfiles.com/ugd/3bd6e6_5620cb4971b14fdb82cbb8830fadbd85.pdf

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/TI-Kanwal-Singh

Cover Art Image Description: black background; think inclusive logo in the top left; rainbow-colored waves overlayed with a headshot of Kanwal Singh; text reads: Kanwal Singh | Inclusive Education in India; S10E8; MCIE logo in the bottom right

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas, and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Oct 27, 202237:12

Russ Ewell | Inclusive Leadership

For this episode, Tim Villegas speaks with Russ Ewell, Founder of E-Soccer and Digital Scribbler, CEO of Hope Technology Group, host of the Lead Different Podcast, and father of children with disabilities. We discuss the characteristics of being an inclusive leader. And later in the interview he turns the tables on Tim and asks him some questions about why inclusion is important to him.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Otter.ai Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/J_6dkIWVIt5ePGi6q1nJYzMzucs

PDF Transcript: https://3bd6e695-b492-4878-afa9-f79d8b09e0c4.usrfiles.com/ugd/3bd6e6_84396f23e05e49c89ac53966dd749315.pdf

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/TI-Russ-Ewell

Cover Art Image Description: black background; think inclusive logo in the top left; rainbow-colored waves overlayed with a headshot of Russ Ewell; text reads: Russ Ewell | Inclusive Leadership; S10E7; MCIE logo in the bottom right

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas, and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Oct 13, 202240:03

Meg Grigal & Cate Weir | Inclusive Higher Education for People with Intellectual Disabilities

For this episode, I speak with Meg Grigal and Cate Weir from Think College about why it is important for individuals with intellectual disabilities to have the option to go to college. We discuss what inclusive post-secondary education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities really look like. And how the data shows that these programs are successful, with learners getting jobs after graduation at three times the rate of the national average.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

***

Click here for the transcript of this episode.

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas, and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Sep 22, 202239:50

Jani Kozlowski | Early Childhood Inclusive Education

For this episode, I talk with Jani Kozlowski, author of the book, Every Child Can Fly: An Early Childhood Educator’s Guide to Inclusion. We discuss why inclusion matters in early childhood education programs. And how we can prepare educators to create inclusive learning environments for all learners.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

***

Click here for the transcript of this episode.

Resources

Melissa McCullough | What Inclusive Preschool Services Look Like

Every Child Can Fly: An Early Childhood Educator's Guide to Inclusion

ECTA Indicators of High-Quality Inclusion

Early Childhood Inclusion Videos

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas, and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Riverside.fm was used to record this interview. Want to get started for free?

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

*Think Inclusive is listener-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links in the show notes.

Sep 08, 202239:30

Dr. Ross Greene | Using Collaborative and Proactive Solutions to Support the Behavior of All Learners

For this episode, I talk with Dr. Ross Greene, author of the books Lost at School and Raising Human Beings. We discuss what schools are getting right and wrong about supporting learners with challenging behavior and an alternative lens for educators to view behavior in all learners.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

***

Click here for the transcript of this episode.

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas, and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Aug 25, 202235:02

Dr. Mona Delahooke | Beyond Behavior Charts and Positive Reinforcement

For this episode, I talk with Dr. Mona Delahooke, author of the books, Brain-Body Parenting and Beyond Behaviors. We discuss the neuroscience of behavior, how parents and educators can move beyond behavior charts and positive reinforcement, and a new way to look at using the check-in procedure with learners.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

***

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas, and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Aug 11, 202240:56

Mazey Eddings | Neurodiverse Representation in Books

For this episode, we talk with Mazey Eddings, the neurodiverse author of A Brush with Love, a romance novel set in dental school.

We talk about why she wanted to write neurodiverse characters in her books, how she sees herself in the characters of A Brush with Love, and what she hopes her readers take away from the book on how to support people living with anxiety.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

***

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas, and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Jul 28, 202236:49

BONUS: Cheryl Green & Thomas Reid | Pod Access Survey

Hi, Y'all!

My friends, Cheryl and Thomas (who are superb podcasters BTW), are taking over the Think Inclusive feed for a few minutes today to tell you about a special survey project they are doing.

With support from the Disability Visibility Project, Cheryl Green and Thomas Reid are gathering information about disabled podcasters and podcasts focused on disability and accessibility (or “disability podcasts” for short).

They will use this information to develop an online listing of podcasts and resource for disabled podcasters to find each other and find audiences.

Awesome right?

Here is the link if you are interested in taking the survey.

Here is a transcript of the promo from Cheryl and Thomas.

Thanks for listening, and we will catch you next week in the feed with another episode of Think Inclusive.

- Tim

Jul 20, 202203:26

Liz Weintraub & Kenneth Kelty | Using Content Creation for Disability Advocacy

Welcome back to a new season of Think Inclusive!

For the first episode of our tenth season, we speak with Liz Weintraub and Kenneth Kelty, both fantastic content creators and disability advocates.

Liz is the host of Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All, a YouTube show where she breaks down policy so everyone can understand it.

Kenneth is the host of Exceeding Expectations with Kenneth Kelty, a podcast where he shares the stories of trailblazers and leaders surrounding disability advocacy.

We talk about the motivation behind creating their shows, some of their favorite moments while recording interviews, and what they hope their audience learns.

Thanks for listening, and if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

***

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Credits

Think Inclusive is written, edited, and sound designed by Tim Villegas, and is produced by MCIE.

Original music by Miles Kredich.

Support Think Inclusive by becoming a patron!

Jul 14, 202231:36

Remix: TIES Center | Including Students with Extensive Support Needs in General Education

Today on the pod, we are replaying some clips from our 2020 episode about including students with intellectual disabilities in general education (our second most listened to episode of all time). But this time around, I'm adding an additional interview with my friends from the TIES Center, Jennifer Sommerness and Jessica Bowman. Now if you don't know, the TIES center is the National Technical Assistance Center on inclusive practices and policies. It works with states, districts, and schools to support the movement of students with disabilities from less inclusive to more inclusive environments. TIES is funded through a federal grant from the Office of Special Education Programs or OSEP. I invited Jennifer and Jessica to share some stories of students with extensive support needs that were included in general education and reflect on their journey to becoming supporters and promoters of inclusive education. In the original episode from 2020, I had my friend and former colleague, Juanita Prichard come on the podcast and talk about strategies for teachers who had students with intellectual disabilities in their classrooms.

References

5-15-45 Tool

Comprehensive Inclusive Education: General Education and the Inclusive IEP

***

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE. Support the podcast and become a patron!

Jun 23, 202244:55

Remix: Julie Causton | Six Inclusive Education Advocacy Strategies for Families

Today on the pod, we bring you a special remixed episode from 2019, my interview with Julie Causton, founder of Inclusive Schooling. We discuss six strategies for families advocating for their children to be included in general education classrooms. To start the episode, the story of Sam, a young man with Down syndrome, who went from spending all of this time in a segregated special education classroom to being included in general education.

References

Washington students with disabilities are often denied the right to learn in general classes (King 5 News)

Achieving Inclusion: What Every Parent Should Know when Advocating for Their Child

***

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE. Support the podcast and become a patron!

Jun 09, 202229:03

Rasheera Dopson | WomanHood and Disability Podcast

I don't know about where you live, but today is the last day of school for the kids in our neighborhood. Summer is here. So let the late nights begin.

Today on the pod, we have Rasheera Dopson, the host of the WomanHood and Disability podcast.

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE. Support the podcast and become a patron!

May 26, 202230:03

Matt from With Rolls and No Luck & Shirene Hayes Creator of Super MEro

Who is ready for a double episode?!?

Today on the pod, we have two fantastic guests. The first is Matt, from the With Rolls and No Luck podcast. We discuss what it is like to generate income all while being on Medicaid. Our second guest is Shirene Hayes, the creator of Super MEro and The Code, a resource for educators to utilize in their classrooms.

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Resources

With Rolls & No Luck - The Book, The Key, The Beyond Episode 1: Welcome To Slatevale

Access to Firearms Increases Child and Adolescent Suicide | Society for Research in Child Development SRCD

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE. Support the podcast and become a patron!

May 12, 202245:43

Ira Eidle | Autistic Archive

For the last thirty years, there has been a movement going on. One you may not know a lot about or the origins of. It’s the Neurodiversity movement and our guest Ira Eidle wants to share with you what he’s learned about it.

Ira is the curator of Autistic Archive, a collection of video lessons about the history of the Neurodiversity movement, links to websites created by autistics for autistics, and recommended books written by people on the autism spectrum (among other resources).

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE. Support the podcast and become a patron!

Apr 28, 202233:13

Haley Moss | Autistic Independence

What does autistic independence look like?

In today's episode, we interview Haley Moss (autistic attorney, author, and advocate) about her book, The Young Autistic Adult's Independence Handbook.

Haley shares with us the main message she wants to get across to autistic individuals who are seeking independence, alternatives to guardianship, and strategies for educators to foster self-advocacy in their students.

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE. Support the podcast and become a patron!

Apr 14, 202234:11

Lisa Drennan | Inclusive Recreation

In today's episode, we interview Lisa Drennan, inclusion expert and founder of Merge Consulting.

We discuss how families of children with disabilities can advocate joining community recreation groups like the YMCA or even a local summer camp. And that the strategies for advocating for change in recreation spaces are not that different from what we use for school. We discuss how teachers can create cultures of belonging for their students, as well as how educators can find belonging in their schools.

Referenced in this episode:

Pathways to Friendship

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE. Support the podcast and become a patron!

Mar 24, 202238:46

Alida Miranda-Wolff | Building Inclusive Organizations That Last

In today's episode, we interview Alida Miranda-Wolff, the author of Cultures of Belonging: Building Inclusive Organizations That Last.

We discuss how teachers can create cultures of belonging for their students, as well as how educators can find belonging in their schools.

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE.

Support the podcast and become a patron!

Mar 10, 202232:43

What Inclusionists Need To Know About the Anti-CRT Movement

What is Critical Race Theory and what do advocates for inclusive education need to know about the Anti-CRT movement?

For this super-sized episode, we share the story of an inclusive Maryland principal who was pushed out of taking a job as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director in Cherokee County, Georgia. A devastating side-effect of the backlash against CRT is the damage that has been done to educational equity initiatives. These initiatives are the very ones that inclusive education advocates have been trying to connect the dots from disability rights to equity for all students.

We interview four individuals with experience and expertise in CRT:

King Williams, a filmmaker, and journalist in Atlanta, GA
Alida Miranda-Wolff, a professional in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging sector in Chicago, IL
Eddie Fergus, a professor at Temple University
Pete Newlove, a doctoral student at the University of Colorado and current high school English teacher

Referenced in the episode:

Cherokee Schools' would-be diversity administrator shares why she stepped down (Cherokee Tribune & Ledger News)
Teacher Anti-CRT Bills Coast To Coast: A State By State Guide (Forbes)
Plessy v. Ferguson (History.com)
Conservative-led school board fires superintendent after allegations of private ultimatum, teacher protest (Washington Post)
Gov. Kemp opposes 'Critical Race Theory' in letter to state board of education (11 Alive - Atlanta)
State Education Board Passes Resolution On Teaching Race (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Teachers Say Laws Banning Critical Race Theory Are Putting A Chill On Their Lessons (NPR)

Special thanks to BG AdGroup: http://bgadgroup.com/

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE.

Support the podcast and become a patron!

Feb 24, 202201:20:13

Diana Pastora Carson | Beyond Awareness

Diana Pastora Carson is the host of the Beyond Awareness Podcast.

Her TedTalk, "Walking with Joaquin," chronicles her family's journey to bring home her brother after living in an institution for 15 years.

She joins us on Think Inclusive to talk about her journey as an educator who advocated for inclusive education, what it’s like now that Joaquin has been home for close to ten years, why she started the Beyond Awareness podcast.

Books

Beyond Awareness: Bringing Disability into Diversity Work in K-12 Schools & Communities

Ed Roberts: Champion of Disability Rights

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE.

Support the podcast and become a patron of the Think Inclusive Podcast!

Feb 10, 202235:39

Greta Harrison | Born Fabulous Podcast

Today on the podcast, we welcome Greta Harrison, the host of the Born Fabulous Podcast.

We talk about the reason for starting "Born Fabulous," why hope should be an essential characteristic of an educator, and the goal of inclusion is always life in the community.

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE.

Support the podcast and become a patron of the Think Inclusive Podcast!

Jan 27, 202252:45

The Intersection of Race and Disability | Pop Up Podcast @ #CEC2022

Happy Friday Inclusionists!

Today we have a special pop-up podcast interview with some folks I met at the CEC Conference in Orlando this week.

They presented a session called, “The Intersection of Race and Disability: Where Do We Go from Here?”

I think it is an important reminder for us that inclusion and equity go together, and that when we are talking about inclusive education, we really mean all students.

Here is a special bonus interview from the Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Orlando, Florida.

CW: the R-word is used in its historical context and in its relation to educational criteria for special education

Guests

Dena Slanda, Ph.D.: Dena.Slanda@ucf.edu

Zerek Mayes, Ed.D.: Zerek.Mayes@gmail.com

Eric Wells, Ed.D.: Eric.Wells@ode.oregon.gov

Lindsey Pike, MSW: Lindsey.Pike@ucf.edu

References

Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning by Andratesha Fritzgerald

Cultivating Genius by Gholdy Muhammad

Case Studies on Diversity and Social Justice Education by Paul Gorski & Seema Pothini

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE.

Support the podcast and become a patron of the Think Inclusive Podcast!

Jan 21, 202248:56

Amanda Darrow and Shamby Polychronis | Honoring Intersectionality

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 media that has LGBTQIA+ representation, won't they just get confused?"

Referenced in our interview:

The "Genderbread" Person

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

Credits

This podcast is a production of MCIE.

Support the podcast and become a patron of the Think Inclusive Podcast!

Jan 13, 202201:03:05

The Best of Think Inclusive Volume 2

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 learning expert, Katie Novak. We talk about how ineffective traditional assessments are because they are not universally designed, even though the most recent education law says they should be.

My interview with Alfie Kohn, author of the book punished by rewards, was our most listened to episode of 2021. And the clip you are about to hear is probably one of the reasons why. Alfie, I mean, Mr. Kohn, lays out his argument for why educators should steer clear from using any extrinsic reward system in their classroom.

And finally, I wanted to share my interview with Cheryl Jorgensen, author of many books on the topic of inclusive education. This clip is from 2014 and it is important to me because it shows my growth in an area that I'm rather ashamed it took me so long to realize: the parallel between the civil rights and disability rights movement and how they are inseparable.

Thanks for your time and attention! See you in 2022!

This episode's transcript can be found here.

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Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

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Dec 30, 202145:14

Anthony Ianni | Autism, Basketball, and One Athlete's Dream

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 "about autism" page as well as their book, "Welcome to the Autism Community."

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

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Dec 16, 202133:06

Howard Shane | How Teaching at Belchertown State School Changed My Life

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, an institution for people with disabilities, in the 1960s. We also highlight some of the stories from his book, including how some of his students used an early form of augmentative and alternative communication.

Also, special guest, Carol Quirk (CEO of MCIE) drops by at the beginning of the episode to reflect on her experiences working in institutions after she read Howard Shane's book Unsilenced.

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

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Nov 25, 202145:03

Karrie Shogren & Sheida Raley | What Does Self-Determination Really Mean?

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.edu.

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have a question or comment? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

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Nov 11, 202137:12

Jenna Rufo | Using Inclusion as a Framework to Build Equity and Support All Students

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.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

What do you think about our new podcast logo design? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us.

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Oct 28, 202145:14

Michael McSheehan | How MTSS and UDL Fit Into Inclusive Education

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 here.

SWIFT Schools Videos

"Together": a SWIFT film on Integrated Educational Framework

"Whatever it Takes": SWIFT Inclusive Academic Instruction Film

SWIFT Domains and Features at Henderson School

Take our podcast listener survey: bit.ly/TIPodcastSurvey.

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Oct 14, 202101:03:07

Janice Fialka & Sara Jo Soldovieri | What To Say When Families Think Segregated Special Education Classrooms Are Best

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 Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Sep 30, 202135:59

Emily Ladau | How To Be an Ally To Disabled People

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 education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Sep 16, 202131:22

Genia Stephen | Good Things In Life Podcast

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 Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Aug 26, 202128:35

Eric Garcia | We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation

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 information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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This podcast is a production of MCIE. Support the podcast and become a patron of the Think Inclusive Podcast!

Aug 12, 202127:56

Marilyn Friend | Co-Teaching

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 Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Jul 29, 202128:28

Sarah Wishart | Excluded: A Young People-Led Film On School Exclusions

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 media on the web.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Jul 15, 202127:47

Wyatt Oroke | Having High Expectations for All Students

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 more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Jun 24, 202128:34

Melissa McCullough | What Inclusive Preschool Services Look Like

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 Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Jun 10, 202131:50

Eddie Fergus | Disproportionality in Special Education

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 Achieving Equity: A Leader′s Guide to Using Data to Change Hearts and Minds.

Follow Dr. Fergus on Twitter.

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 information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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May 20, 202136:13

BONUS: Megan Gross and Nancy Brundrett | What Inclusive Education Looks Like at Poway Unified

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 Best Inclusive Education Links: 100 links to the best inclusion-related articles, videos, and media on the web.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Apr 29, 202136:36

Jenny Kurth | Implementing Inclusive Education with Participation Plans

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 With Participation Plans.

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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This podcast is a production of MCIE. Become a patron of the Think Inclusive Podcast!

Apr 15, 202132:52

Alfie Kohn | Does Behaviorism Belong in the Classroom?

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

The Schools Our Children Deserve: Moving Beyond Traditional Classrooms and "Tougher Standards"

We also reference Autism and Behaviorism: New Research Adds to an Already Compelling Case Against ABA.

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Mar 18, 202152:16

Katie Novak | Common Misconceptions About UDL

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 be found here.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

Click here for audio transcripts.

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Feb 18, 202126:29

Why I Call Myself An Inclusionist

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!

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

Resources

Why Would a Special Education Teacher Advocate for Inclusive Education? (Noodle)

Fully Included: Damian (Think Inclusive)

Special education teacher explains why she wants to be called 'accessibility specialist' (GMA)

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Jan 22, 202132:42

The Best of Think Inclusive Volume 1

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 Eredics gives one important strategy for inclusive classrooms. And Scott F shares what it is like to have students with significant disabilities included in his classroom.

Thanks for your time and attention!

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Intro Music - Clap Your Hands by Jahzzar / Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

This podcast is a production of MCIE. Become a patron of the Think Inclusive Podcast!

Dec 24, 202033:40

Shelley Moore | What Is All The Fuss About Baked Potatoes?

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 out her book: One Without the Other: Stories of Unity Through Diversity and Inclusion to learn even more.

This episode's transcript can be found here.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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Nov 26, 202028:02

Jennifer Spencer-Iiams | Leading for All: How to Create Truly Inclusive and Excellent Schools

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.

Visit Think Inclusive for more information about inclusive education.

Have questions or comments? Reach us at podcast@thinkinclusive.us

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This podcast is a production of MCIE. Become a patron of the Think Inclusive Podcast!

Oct 22, 202026:53