Educating All Learners Alliance

In this episode of the EALA Podcast, we sit down with Sandra Hunter, founder and Executive Director of the Roadmap to Success Empowerment Center and 2026 New Champions Runner-Up, to explore the Access Ready program and its critical work guiding students with disabilities from high school accommodations to college self-advocacy.  Sandra breaks down how timely access to essential resources, assistiv...

In this episode, Aurora Dreger sits down with Karla Phillips-Krivickas, co-founder of Champions for Kids and 2026 EALA New Champion. Drawing on over 20 years in state policy and her personal journey as a parent of two children with disabilities, Karla explores why the traditional "one-size-fits-all" schooling model doesn’t work for students and what we need to do to support all students.  Karla un...

In this episode, we speak with Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU, to discuss how the education sector can harness AI's potential while actively safeguarding against its risks. We dive into  Prioritizing Students with Disabilities in AI Policy, V2 of our policy paper developed in collaboration with New America. Erin breaks down the urgent challenges driving this updated guidance, key shifts in the EdTe...

In this episode, we speak with Suzanna Shamakhyan, Executive Director of the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST) and a 2026 ASU GSV Innovation Showcase finalist. Susanna shares how FAST is transforming STEM education across Armenia by embedding advanced mathematics and artificial intelligence coursework directly into public high schools through their flagship Generation AI progra...

Every spring, schools build schedules that shape students' experiences for an entire year. What if the students who need the most support were the first considered instead of the last? In this conversation, Nady Persons and KB Cunningham of Special Education Leader Fellowship (SELF) share how the Affirmed Access project is helping schools reimagine scheduling as an equity strategy. Together, they...

In this episode, Aurora Dreger interviews Deb Hanmer, founder and CEO of Breakthrough Leadership Consulting, about her path into mission-driven work. They also discuss her years mentoring emerging education leaders through the EALA New Champions Fund.  This episode addresses the common challenges small nonprofits and school programs face when trying to scale, including limited capacity, competitiv...

In this episode, Aurora Dreger sits down with Dr. Khara Schonfeld, Partner of Research at Education Reimagined, to discuss the transformative power of learner-centered education. Khara shares insights from her unique perspective as a researcher, former K-12 teacher, and parent  as she unpacks what sets learner-centered environments apart from traditional schooling.  We dive into Education Reimagin...

Our June 2 webinar with Code in Motion by SPARKS was so vital that we adapted it into a podcast episode to share their inspiring work with our entire community. In this episode, the project’s leaders and coaches discuss how they are reimagining computer science education for students experiencing housing insecurity through community-led, dignified pathways to success. Access the full podcast trans...

EALA welcomes Kate Cochran, the Managing Director of the Partnership for Student Success, to discuss the critical intersection of mentoring, transition-planning, and student outcomes. Learn how centering the voices of students with disabilities in mentoring programs creates stronger paths toward post-secondary education and career success. Find out how your school or district can access their new...

How can school leaders move beyond traditional instruction to truly center the needs of every student? In this episode, we sit down with two visionary principals from San Diego: Andrea Pino-Antl of Creative Performing and Media Arts and Jennifer Chien of Casita Center for Technology, Science, and Math. Listen as we dive into a candid conversation about overcoming the fixed mindset in math instruct...

The shortage of special education teachers isn't just a staffing issue—it’s a student outcomes issue. When turnover is high, the consistency and quality of support for students with disabilities suffer. How do we move beyond "filling gaps" to building sustainable pipelines that prepare educators for the reality of the modern classroom? In this episode, we’re joined by Sabrina Baptiste, Project Dir...

Dive into this episode as Aurora from EALA chats with Michelle Soriano, a Professional Learning Specialist at CAST’s Accessibility Solutions team. Explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and innovative accessibility strategies are transforming education. From policy shifts to practical wins, discover actionable insights for creating equitable learning environments for all.  For more inform...

In this episode, Michelle Maher, Co-Founder and Teacher Leader of Mountain Juniper Montessori, shares the journey of establishing Colorado’s first Wildflower Montessori public charter micro-school. Listen in as Michelle describes how they maintain high-fidelity Montessori practices in a tuition-free setting and the importance of being deeply community-embedded to ensure every child is truly known...

In this episode, Aurora Dreger speaks with Stephanie Atenco-Torres, a Latina activist, journalist, teacher in training, and disability advocate, about her experiences as a Latina student navigating the education system with an invisible disability. Stephanie reflects on the power of sharing lived experience and how speaking up can create change for students who are left unseen by their school lead...

Multilingual learners (MLLs) are an essential part of today’s classrooms, not an exception. In this episode, Aurora Dreger speaks with Dr. Molly Faulkner-Bond of WestEd about why education systems must be designed with MLLs in mind from the start. They explore asset-based language, the connection between MLL and disability advocacy, and how centering students with the most complex learning profile...

In this episode, Aurora Dreger speaks with Annie Shan, Samantha Senajon, and Sanvi Nethikunta, the high school leaders behind Mindset Math. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to ensuring K-12 students in underserved communities have access to high-quality STEM education. Additionally, Mindset Math focuses on creating accessible learning pathways for every student. They discuss their work on...

Tune in to this exciting conversation with Meagan Alderton from the DC Special Education Cooperative to hear how they are creating systems where students with disabilities thrive. Meagan shares powerful strategies from successful DC schools, explaining why the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework is "just how you do school." Listen in for essential leadership advice that can help drive...

In this episode, EALA sits down with Krista Gauthier, Founder and President of Dyslexic Edge and Executive Director of IMSE Foundation, to explore practical pathways for supporting students who learn differently. Krista shares how these two powerful organizations are collaborating to give educators the tools needed to reach every learner through effective, evidence-based methods. To learn more che...

In this final episode of our special four-part series with Education Reimagined, we're sharing powerful, on-the-ground outcomes for youth who learn differently at learner-centered sites. EALA's Aurora Dreger is joined by Lindsy Ogawa from Education Reimagined and founding principal Susan Hart from LaFayette Big Picture School. They discuss how a focus on healing, authentic connection, and student...

In this episode, we connect with Brett Roer, CEO and Founder of Amplify & Elevate Innovation to discuss how districts can build AI literacy through effective professional development for their principals and teachers. Listen in for practical strategies to help prepare your school community to harness the power of AI to create more flexible learning environments for students with disabilities a...

In this installment of our four-part series with Education Reimagined, we're diving into the concrete practices that define a truly learner-centered site. EALA’s Aurora Dreger is joined by Lindsy Ogawa from Education Reimagined and Lela Bell Wesley from Big Thought to discuss how schools are designing meaningful, imaginative learning that empowers youth with disabilities and learning differences....

Join EALA for a special deep dive celebrating 20 years of the AIM Institute for Learning and Research as well as AIM Academy. Co-founders Pat Roberts and Nancy Blair reflect on their journey, from pioneering the Science of Reading to building a movement that translates research into actionable practice for students with learning differences and for all struggling readers and writers. Discover how...

In this episode, EALA talks to Torrye Parker, a passionate advocate and educator, for a look into how community-based support can be transformative for students with disabilities. Listen in as they discuss the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the field, as seen in the hundreds of applications submitted to the EALA New Champions fund. Tune in for expert advice on building sustainable,...

This second episode of "Needs to Strengths," a four-part series from EALA and Education Reimagined, elevates insights from learner-centered schools on how they leverage policy to support youth with learning differences. Join host Aurora Dreger as she speaks with Lindsy Ogawa and Superintendent Johnna Noll of the Norris School District about what the national inquiry team observed and how policy ca...

Join Aurora Dreger and Jason B. Allen for a deep dive into what it takes to support leaders who are transforming education for students with disabilities. Discover the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the field, and hear expert advice on building impactful, community-driven programs, such as the EALA New Champions Fund. Whether you’re an educator, advocate, or innovator, this episode...