This courageous and nuanced conversation dives into one of the biggest fears around inclusion: safety. Julie and Kristie name the fear, challenge ableist assumptions, and provide seven steps to help educators feel equipped, empowered, and proactive when facing concerns about safety in inclusive settings. With humor and honesty, they tackle myths, share research-backed practices, and guide listeners through a shift from exclusion-based thinking to supportive, inclusive responses. Bonus: the handout at inclusiveschooling.com/download56 includes de-escalation techniques, student support plan templates, and strategies to track “success minutes.”
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Special Episode of The Inclusion Podcast: The Behavior Reset Every School Leader Needs
Tired of behavior challenges draining your team’s energy and stalling learning? In this special episode, we reveal why outdated approaches keep failing, what actually works, and how to shift mindsets across your staff—without adding another initiative to your plate. Walk away with clarity, strategies you can use tomorrow, and access to our free Behavior 360 Bonus Dashboard—packed with ready-to-use tools, mindset shifts, and practical solutions you can share with your team today. Get instant access at inclusiveschooling.com/360-podcast.
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Ep. 55 Paraprofessionals: How to Hide in Plain Sight
Julie and Kristie explore how paraprofessional support can be both effective and unobtrusive. With humor, heart, and powerful metaphors (yes, including Harry Potter's invisibility cloak!), they unpack what it means for paraprofessionals to “hide in plain sight.” The episode offers strategies to increase student independence, dignity, and social connection by camouflaging support and avoiding over-reliance. With resources like “20 Ways to Provide Invisible Support” and “110 Ways Paras Can Help,” this episode is full of practical tools and radical shifts in mindset. Download the robust 29-page guide at inclusiveschooling.com/download55.
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Ep. 54 Five Small Moves for a Big Shift in School Culture
In this episode, Julie and Kristie invite listeners to put on their creativity hats and explore five small yet powerful shifts that can profoundly improve school culture. They focus on the “feel” of a school—how it welcomes students, families, and educators—and how small tweaks, like changing a sign from “You are late” to “We’re glad you’re here,” can radically shift emotional tone and engagement. From morning greetings to creative cafeteria strategies, this episode empowers listeners to build inclusive culture through intentional micro-moves. Download the companion resource at inclusiveschooling.com/download54 for practical steps to begin your journey.
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Ep. 53 Ten Quick Inclusion Wins: Reset and Refresh
Feeling like your inclusive practices need a boost? You're not alone—and you're in the right place. In this energizing episode, Julie and Kristie share 10 quick inclusion wins that can help you reset, refresh, and re-engage at any point in the school year. Whether it’s the start of a new term or you’re navigating a mid-year slump, these simple but powerful strategies are designed to rebuild relationships with students and staff, add novelty and choice to assignments, rethink participation beyond “raise and respond,” realign and clarify roles with paraprofessionals, and celebrate the progress you’ve already made. Each idea comes with practical tools and bonus resources, including a jam-packed downloadable guide full of embedded supports and strategies. It’s like hitting a reset button for your inclusive classroom or school. Grab your free resource at inclusiveschooling.com/download53, then hit play and get inspired to try just one win today—your future self (and your students) will thank you.
Welcome to ”The Inclusion Podcast” —your go-to source for making inclusive education a reality. Whether you’re a school leader, educator, advocate, parent, paraprofessional, or simply passionate about creating more inclusive school spaces, this podcast is for you.
In each 15-minute episode, we dive into the heart of inclusive education, offering expert insights, real-world strategies, and answers to burning questions on how to make every classroom welcoming for all students, PreK-12. From redefining what special education is (and isn’t) to understanding Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and exploring cutting-edge co-teaching practices, we cover the essential topics that help schools transform.
Join us as we break down complex ideas into actionable steps, challenge outdated special education practices, and provide you with the tools to create environments where every student thrives. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of inclusive change or looking to elevate your practices, we’re here to inspire, motivate, and guide you every step of the way.
Ready to create schools where everyone belongs? Tune in and let’s build a more inclusive future together.