Exceptional Minds with RoboKind

What if communication started long before spoken words? In this heartfelt conversation, Maggie shares the story of her son, Chet, a boy with a deep love for letters, words, and language. Before consistently speaking out loud, Chet was already connecting through writing words on the fridge, arranging letters, and expressing himself in ways that were entirely his own. Maggie opens up about her journ...

In this special episode of Exceptional Minds with RoboKind , we’re revisiting a powerful Autism Acceptance Month conversation with Dr. Lisa Kershaw. Dr. Kershaw shares the deeply personal story that shaped her life and career: her journey as a mother to her son, Clarence, whose autism diagnosis came years after early signs first appeared. What began as a family’s search for answers became a callin...

In this spirited episode of Exceptional Minds , we chat with Dr. Stacy Carlock, Director of the Ladue Early Childhood Center and self-proclaimed “Principal on skates.” With purposeful roller skating down school hallways, Stacy has turned her leadership into an everyday reminder that joy is powerful and that early learning thrives when you meet learners (and adults) on their level. A longtime advoc...

In this episode of Exceptional Minds , we sit down with Erica Jackson, a special education leader in Columbus County, North Carolina, whose passion for students with disabilities has shaped real change in her district. From expanding access to new learning tools to championing strong support systems for teachers, Erica shares what drives her, what she's learned, and what still keeps her inspi...

In this episode of Exceptional Minds with RoboKind , we welcome Joe Kwisz , outgoing President of the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education (ICASE) and current President-Elect of National CASE. With over sixteen years in special education administration—rising from classroom teacher and high school coach to Executive Director—Joe brings a wealth of hands-on experience. We’ll explo...

What happens when a CEO, a curriculum visionary, and a classroom-turned-district leader walk into a strategy session? You get the ultimate crossover episode on making IEPs actually work. In this live-recorded session, Brian Baggs, Dr. Jessica Redcay-Shoff, and Stephen Burslem team up to drop real talk and real strategies for simplifying Special Education and Early Learning. From reducing prep time...

In this episode of Exceptional Minds with RoboKind , we are honored to host Brandie Neal, M.Ed , Founder and CEO of Crayons To Credits Educational Consulting, LLC . With over 16 years in education, Brandie has dedicated her career to supporting neurodivergent students and their families. Drawing from her personal experiences as a neurodivergent individual, she has developed a deep commitment to cr...

In this episode of Exceptional Minds with RoboKind , we are joined by Laurie Peterson, M.Ed, MA, LPC, Founder and Executive Director of Diagnostic Learning Services and eDiagnostic Learning, as well as co-host of the internationally recognized podcast Let's Talk Learning Disabilities . With years of experience assessing and supporting students from elementary age through adulthood, Laurie has...

In this episode of Exceptional Minds with RoboKind , we are honored to host Dr. Charla DeLeo, the Special Education Coordinator for St. Clair County Schools in Alabama. With over 13 years of experience in special education, Dr. DeLeo is a passionate advocate for students' rights and has served as the former President of the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE). Known for her...

In this episode of Exceptional Minds with RoboKind , we are honored to speak with Michele Sayles Harris, Chief of Student Services for Marietta City Schools in Georgia. With over 23 years of experience in special education—including roles as a classroom teacher, supervisor, and executive director—Michele has dedicated her career to enhancing educational outcomes for students with disabilities. As...

 Join us for our inaugural episode of Exceptional Minds with RoboKind , featuring a conversation with Dawn Ellis—an innovative special education teacher at Pike Road Schools and host of the “Be the Exception” podcast. Dawn shares how she empowers learners of all abilities by creating inclusive, data-driven classrooms. We’ll dive into her passion for cultivating exceptional minds, discuss practical...