Karten's Inclusion Conversations Podcast

In this episode of KIC Karten’s Inclusion Conversations , Toby explores the multifaceted concept of student motivation in education through a discussion with Dr. Brian Harris. The conversation highlights motivation as the force that moves students toward goals and distinguishes between intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) motivation. Dr. Harris emphasizes that while extrinsic strategies l...

Toby’s conversation centers on the power and purpose of effective co-teaching, highlighting how Amber Benson and Ruby Voss—an experienced math team from Southwest Virginia—have built a nearly decade-long partnership grounded in continuous growth, complementary strengths, and shared leadership. They describe co-teaching as an evolving craft, emphasizing that great educators “teach each year” rather...

In this episode of Karten’s Inclusion Conversations , host Toby Karten sits down with sixth-grade math teacher, PTA president, and parent advocate Chrissy Williams from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Chrissy shares her inspiring journey into education later in life and discusses how authentic relationships, empathy, and real-world connections help students thrive in inclusive classrooms. Together, Toby and...

Toby’s conversation with Carlos Romo and Dave Barriere centers on the power of collaboration, relationships, and adaptability in co-teaching. Carlos and Dave reflect on how professional development gave them the foundation to succeed as co-teachers, showing how strategies they once doubted could energize and engage high school students. They emphasize the importance of building trust, setting comm...

Toby’s conversation with authors Geri Parscale and Darcy Kraus revolves around the importance of establishing trauma response systems in schools, as detailed in the book Navigating the Unexpected: A School Leader’s Guide for Trauma Response Teams . It explores themes like the prevalence of student trauma, the need for proactive and equitable approaches to addressing it, and the significance of pre...

The podcast conversation between Toby Karten and guests Suzanne Gregoire, Director, VP-Global Children’s Art Programme, Faculty member of the Kaufman Music Center in New York City, Makbule Kalyon , Project Director for I Am Here/Ben Buradayim, and Sebnem Cirit, International Communications Director for I Am Here, centers on inclusive education practices and the global perspectives needed to suppor...

Toby’s conversation centers around Ashley Birchall’s journey as an educator, highlighting her experiences in inclusive classrooms, her time away from teaching to raise her children, and her return to the field through specialized training. Ashley discusses her work as an inclusion collaborative teacher in New York City, the multifaceted roles educators often juggle, and her decision to become a ce...

 In this conversation, Toby and Angie explore themes of personal and professional growth, focusing on the importance of embracing authenticity, leveraging strengths, and fostering connections in educational environments. Guest Angie Freese discusses her book Meant for More , emphasizing creating inclusive spaces where individuals feel valued and capable. Key topics include system improvement, lead...

Donna Ross and Toby discuss co-teaching strategies, professional development, and supportive coaching that encourages teachers to grow without judgment. They highlight the need for personalized approaches, focusing on student strengths rather than disabilities, and promoting a culture of collaboration among educators. Additionally, the conversation touches on the importance of resourcefulness and...

In this conversation, Toby explores themes of empathy, equity, and inclusion in early childhood education, centered around the book, Little Learners, Big Hearts with authors Randy Ross, Orinthia Harris and Jill Flanders . The discussion highlights the importance of addressing implicit biases, fostering diversity, and creating inclusive classrooms where all children, including those with disabiliti...

In Toby’s conversation with Dr. Christopher Kinney, the discussion centers around the integration of special education strategies into general education, highlighting the importance of collaboration between general and special education teachers. Dr. Kinney emphasizes the value of learning from each other's expertise and the necessity for teachers to be adaptable and inquisitive. He shares hi...

In Round 2, Toby and Takia’s conversation focuses on the importance of community engagement and empowerment, highlighting the critical role of education and mentorship in uplifting individuals, especially within underserved communities. It discusses the value of providing guidance and resources to support personal and professional growth, emphasizing the power of collective action and the impact o...

In this episode of Karten's Inclusion Conversations, Toby welcomes back Phil Hochman, who has a diverse background in education, including health and physical education, AI, and well-being for educators and students. The conversation delves into the transformative potential of AI in education, emphasizing how it can ease teachers' workloads by automating routine tasks and personalizing s...

Toby’s conversation with Carrie and KC Bree" centers on educational approaches, inclusion, and personalized learning. Carrie and KC  discuss the importance of adapting teaching methods to fit individual student needs, sharing personal and professional experiences. They highlight how different students, including those with special needs, can thrive with the right support. Key themes include m...

In their conversation, Toby and Eliezer Yariv explore the principles and challenges of inclusive education, drawing from personal experiences and professional insights. Eliezer shares his upbringing on a kibbutz, highlighting the values of equality and community that inform his approach to teaching. They discuss the implementation of universal design for learning (UDL) in classrooms, emphasizing t...

Toby and Tobie’s conversation revolves around inclusive education, early childhood development, and effective communication between educators, families, and professionals. The guest, Tobie Franklin, emphasizes the importance of play-based learning for preschoolers and stresses the significance of understanding individual needs and differences. Topics such as readiness for school, timely interventi...

The conversation between Toby and Mike Reinknecht centers on themes of inclusive education, diverse career paths, and the importance of professional development in the field of education. Mike shares his journey from special education teacher to administrator, drawing parallels between his experiences in education and nursing, emphasizing the need for triage and prioritization in addressing studen...

In this conversation, Mark and Toby discuss the topic of inclusive education and explore its various themes. They highlight the importance of setting high expectations for students with special needs and the potential benefits of inclusive settings in fostering those expectations. They emphasize the need for individualized instruction and the importance of literacy skills in academic progress and...

In this conversation, Toby and Jennifer discuss the importance of ELD and inclusive teaching practices and the impact it has on students. They emphasize the need for equity in the classroom and the role of teachers as role models and advocates for all students, regardless of their cultural backgrounds or learning needs. The conversation highlights the power of collaboration and co-teaching, where...

66622 In this conversation, Toby interviews Phil Hochman, an educator with diverse skills and a passion for technology and inclusive education. The conversation revolves around the theme of leveraging technology, particularly educational technology, to bring about a massive shift in the way instruction is delivered. Phil emphasizes the need for individualized and self-paced instruction, where ever...

Toby and Robyn Jackson, an author and educator, discussed the themes of reflection, rekindling passion, and striving for excellence in education. Robin encourages educators to reconnect with their initial belief in providing a quality education to every child and shed cynicism and defeatism. She emphasizes the dangers of settling for mediocrity and encourages educators to strive for excellence in...

In this podcast conversation, Jim and Toby discuss the topic of bullying and its impact on individuals, particularly children. They emphasize the importance of zero tolerance for bullying and the need to address it collaboratively through modeling, collaboration, structure, reflection, and recognizing that together, we are stronger. They also highlight the significance of helping students understa...

In this episode of Karten's Inclusion Conversations, Dr. Wichansky joins Toby Karten to discuss the challenges and opportunities of living with a disability. Paul shares his personal story of overcoming adversity and achieving success, and he offers advice on how to create a more inclusive world. He also discusses the importance of education and advocacy, and he encourages listeners to get in...

In the second conversation between Rob and Toby, several key themes emerged regarding the topic of inclusion in education. The first theme centered around the significance of building strong relationships and effective communication within the school community. Rob emphasized the importance of understanding individual communication preferences and investing time and effort into fostering positive...

In this episode, Toby and Marcy discuss the importance of inclusion and advocacy for all students, regardless of their abilities. Marcy shares her story of how she has advocated for her son, Ray, who has a spinal muscular atrophy diagnosis. She talks about the challenges she has faced, but also the successes she has achieved. Toby and Marcy both believe that all students deserve the opportunity to...