Think Inclusive

Eddie Fergus is an associate professor of urban education and policy at Temple University. A former high school teacher, program evaluator, and community school program director, his research focuses on the intersection of education policy and outcomes, with specific attention to Black and Latino boys, disproportionality in special education, suspensions, school climate, and access to advanced cou...

Megan Gross — Special education teacher (14 years) and teacher on special assignment supporting inclusive practices and leading professional learning for K–12 teams in the Poway Unified school district . 2017 California Teacher of the Year and co‑author of The Inclusion Toolbox (with Dr. Jenny Kurth ) and ParaEducate (with Renay Marquez ). Nancy Brundrett — Special education instructional assistan...

Dr. Jennifer (“Jenny”) Kurth is an associate professor of special education at the University of Kansas. Her work centers on inclusive education for students with extensive and pervasive support needs, and she co-developed practical “participation plans” that general and special educators build together to support students in general education classes. Jenny Kurth makes the case that inclusive edu...

Alfie Kohn — Author and speaker on human behavior, education, and parenting; writer of 14 books and hundreds of articles; lectures at education conferences, universities, parent groups, and corporations. Known for Punished by Rewards and widely cited work challenging rewards, punishments, and behaviorist approaches in schools. In this episode, Alfie Kohn argues that rewards (“positive reinforcemen...

Katie Novak is an internationally renowned education consultant, practicing education leader, and graduate instructor at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. She designs and presents workshops on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), MTSS, inclusive practices, and more. She’s the author of several books, including UDL Now , Innovate Inside the Box , Equity by Design (with Mi...

Solo episode featuring Tim Villegas — host of Think Inclusive and Director of Communications at MCIE. In this episode, Tim shares his journey from teaching in self-contained (“segregated”) classrooms to advocating for inclusive education system-wide, including a later district-level role and his current work helping schools move toward inclusion. In “Why I Call Myself an Inclusionist,” Tim Villega...

Paula Kluth — Author/speaker known for Don’t We Already Do Inclusion? ; talks about “inclusion with a big I ” and why real inclusion means educating students together with smart personalization. Dan Habib — Filmmaker ( Who Cares About Kelsey? ); explains why effective inclusion hinges on strong leadership, a safe school climate, and tiered supports (PBIS). Julie Causton — Researcher/teacher educat...

Shelley Moore — Vancouver, BC–based inclusive education consultant, teacher, researcher, speaker, and storyteller. She’s the author of One Without the Other , a follow‑up to her TEDx talk “Under the Table,” and the creator/host of the Five Moore Minutes video series and companion podcast. Shelley works with school districts and community organizations across Canada and the United States. In this e...

Jennifer Spencer‑Iiams — Assistant Superintendent for the West Linn–Wilsonville School District (Greater Portland, OR). She co‑authored Leading for All: How to Create Truly Inclusive and Excellent Schools with Josh Flosi, and led districtwide transformation toward inclusive practices. In this episode, Jennifer Spencer‑Iiams shares how her district shifted from segregated models to inclusive school...

In this final episode of Season 7, host Tim Villegas explores the challenges and strategies surrounding the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in special education. Amy Langerman shares her personal and professional experiences advocating for inclusive placements, highlighting stark differences between Arizona and California’s approaches. She discusses how systemic barriers and lack of support of...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas speaks with Carol Quirk, an advocate for inclusive education and CEO of the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education. This meaningful discussion reveals the intricacies involved in promoting inclusive education for children with disabilities across the country. Tim and Carol delve deeply into the practices that bring educators, pa...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, Tim Villegas dives into the vital topic of inclusive education, underscoring its importance for all students, regardless of disability. Through a comprehensive discussion with Juanita Pritchard, an expert in intellectual disabilities, this episode unravels the intricacies of inclusion within the educational system. Tim shares his personal journey fro...

The Think Inclusive Podcast, hosted by Tim Villegas, dives into the pressing challenges faced by educators when teaching in inclusive classrooms. In this episode, education journalists Jackie Mader and Christina Samuels offer their unique perspectives on the preparedness of general education teachers to support students with disabilities. Through recounting field studies and personal experiences,...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas delves deep into the complexities of inclusion, especially for LGBTQ individuals and those with disabilities, within the context of Christian educational institutions. The conversation begins with a look at Azusa Pacific University's fluctuating policies regarding same-sex relationships, highlighting the challenges...

In this eye-opening episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas discusses the transformative power of inclusive education for students with disabilities. Through an in-depth look at a King 5 News investigation titled Back of the Class, the episode emphasizes the positive impact of integrating students like Sam, who has Down syndrome, into general education classrooms. The story illus...

Join Tim Villegas as he takes you on an immersive tour of Chime Charter School in Woodland Hills, California, where inclusive education isn’t just a goal—it's a reality. With insightful commentary from Dr. Erin Studer, the principal of Chime, and Amy Hanreddy, a seasoned professor at California State University Northridge, this episode dives deep into the mechanisms that make inclusive education w...

In this eye-opening episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, Tim Villegas discusses the ongoing challenges and progress in inclusive education with Lou Brown, a formidable advocate for disability rights and inclusion and co-found of TASH. Tim highlights a personal experience that encapsulates society's resistance to inclusive education, emphasizing the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how educat...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, hosted by Tim Villegas, we delve into the exciting intersection of inclusivity and culinary creativity. Tim sits down with Marci Heit, the visionary founder of QD Foodie, to explore how her innovative kitchen tools are transforming the cooking experience for people with diverse abilities. Raised with a passion for cooking and inspired by her interact...

In this engaging episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas sits down with Renay Marquez, co-founder of ParaEducate. They delve into Renay's journey, the inception of ParaEducate, and how the organization supports paraeducators with tools and strategies for fostering inclusive classrooms. From discussing her role and experience in a mostly inclusive district to sharing practical res...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, Tim Villegas engages in an insightful conversation with filmmaker Jen Tennican about her latest documentary, "Hearts of Glass". The episode explores the groundbreaking social and agricultural experiment at Vertical Harvest, a cutting-edge vertical hydroponic greenhouse in Jackson, Wyoming. Notably, Vertical Harvest not only innovates local sustainabl...

In this insightful episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Annette Jett about Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and their critical role in helping students with disabilities transition smoothly into the workforce. The conversation delves into the legal framework established by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, how Pre-ETS are integ...

In this engaging episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas sits down with Beckett Haight, a seasoned special educator with a global perspective. They delve into Haight's experiences teaching in diverse educational environments and his approach to fostering inclusivity in the classroom. Beckett shares his journey from being a student with an IEP to becoming a passionate advocate for...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas converses with distinguished filmmaker Dan Habib about his latest documentary, "Intelligent Lives." The episode takes a deep dive into the significance of inclusive education, the challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities, and the broader societal implications of how we measure intelligence. Habib shares insight...

In this engaging episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas sits down with Nikki Heiman, an influential advocate for inclusive education and founder of My Creative Inclusion. They delve into the significant barriers to inclusive practices in schools and discuss effective strategies to change educators' mindsets around disability and inclusion. Nikki emphasizes the importance of tran...

Welcome to another enriching episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast! In this episode, Tim Villegas sits down with Amanda Morin from the National Center for Learning Disabilities and Understood.org to discuss strategies for transitioning students with disabilities back to school. Amanda shares her insights as a former teacher and advocate, offering practical advice to parents on how to prepare thei...