The Inclusion Podcast

What if a student's "no" isn't defiance, but rather, valuable communication? In this episode, Julie and Kristie explore why honoring a student's refusal doesn't mean lowering expectations. Instead, they discuss how understanding the message behind "no" can increase trust, preserve autonomy, and create the neurological safety students need to participate and learn. Download the free resource: Respect the No: A Practical Guide for Educators at inclusiveschooling.com/download80.

When educators say, "Kids need consequences," what do they really mean? In this episode, Kristie and Julie challenge the common belief that consequences should make students suffer and instead explore how natural and logical consequences can build responsibility, empathy, communication, and problem-solving. You'll learn how to shift from punishment to teaching while still holding students accountable. Download the free resource: Natural & Logical Consequences Decision Guide at inclusiveschooling.com/download79.

What if professional learning didn’t have to mean another long meeting or another slide deck? In this episode, Julie and Kristie share how schools are transforming 15-minute podcast episodes into meaningful professional learning that sparks reflection, conversation, and real changes in practice. You’ll discover a simple framework for using podcasts in PLCs, staff meetings, and leadership teams to create learning that educators actually look forward to. Download the free resource: Podcast-Powered Professional Learning Guide at inclusiveschooling.com/download78.

What if the key to changing behavior isn’t tracking what’s going wrong, but noticing what’s going right? In this episode, Kristie and Julie introduce the “success minutes” framework, a simple but powerful shift that helps teams focus on moments of engagement, regulation, and connection. You’ll learn how to spot small wins, uncover patterns, and use them to create more success throughout the day. Download the free resource: The Success Minutes Quick Tracker at http://inclusiveschooling.com/download77.

“They’re too distractible” is often used as a quick justification for pull-out, but what if it’s pointing to something else entirely? In this episode, Kristie and Julie unpack why distractibility is not a placement decision and how it often signals a need for better supports, not removal. You’ll learn what to say in the moment and how to redesign instruction, environment, and engagement so students can succeed right where they are. Download the free resource: What to Say When Distractibility Is Used as a Reason for Pull-Out at inclusiveschooling.com/download76.

“We’re preparing students for the real world”, but what if that version of the real world is outdated, inequitable, and not a life anyone would choose? In this episode, Julie and Kristie challenge common school practices that prioritize compliance over autonomy, especially for students with disabilities, and expose how systems like “life skills” classrooms often lower expectations instead of expanding opportunity. You’ll be invited to rethink what real preparation looks like, and how to design schools that reflect the flexible, human-centered world we actually live in. Download the free resource: 12 Steps to Closing Life Skills Rooms at inclusiveschooling.com/download75.

You may think you’ve moved beyond behavior charts, but what if they’re still showing up in disguise? In this episode, Julie and Kristie uncover the hidden ways behavior systems still operate through public tracking, rewards, and subtle comparisons that can shame and exclude students. You’ll learn how to spot these patterns and shift toward approaches that build regulation, trust, and belonging instead of compliance. Download the free resource: Behavior Charts in Disguise—and What to Do Instead at http://inclusiveschooling.com/download74.

When a student is struggling, “they need a small group” can sound like the right solution, but too often, it’s code for removal and exclusion. In this episode, Julie and Kristie unpack the common trap of equating support with separation and show how small group instruction can, and should, happen within general education. You’ll learn how to shift from pull-out thinking to inclusive design using flexible grouping, choice, and intentional planning. Download the free resource: Let’s Rethink What Small Group Really Means at http://inclusiveschooling.com/download73.

Imagine someone supporting you all day—deciding when to step in, what to say, and how close to stand. In this episode, Kristie and Julie explore how even well-intentioned help can become intrusive, overwhelming, or counterproductive for students. You'll learn how to evaluate support through the lens of dignity, autonomy, and the true purpose of inclusion. Download the 30 Reflection Questions at https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/download72.

Praise might feel positive—but it can actually backfire. In this episode, Julie and Kristie dig into why overpraising can reduce motivation, damage trust, and even increase student anxiety. You’ll walk away with seven key shifts educators can make to support authentic, internal motivation in every learner. Download the Praise Reframe Guide at https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/download71.

What if we’ve misunderstood what engagement really looks like? In this powerful episode, Kristie and Julie unpack why rest, quiet moments, and nonverbal participation are all valid—and vital—ways students engage with learning. You’ll hear how reframing “doing nothing” can create more equitable classrooms for neurodivergent and disabled learners. Get the reframing language guide at https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/download70.

Is “doing hard things” really the right benchmark for students with disabilities? In this episode, Julie and Kristie challenge the idea that completing unpreferred tasks is an appropriate or meaningful IEP goal. They explore what makes a goal truly inclusive, and offer guidance on how to write goals that support autonomy, dignity, and real-world relevance. Download the 5 Questions to Test IEP Goals at https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/download69.

You say you’re inclusive—but what does your system actually show? In this special episode, Julie and Kristie unpack seven clear indicators that reveal whether a school is truly inclusive or just aspiring to be, from unclear definitions to practices that unintentionally exclude students. You’ll walk away with practical ways to spot misalignment and take immediate steps toward meaningful, system-wide change. Register for The Way Wednesdays Book Club and get the Facilitator’s Guide and Self-Study Guide at https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/book-club.

Too often, what looks like an inclusive schedule on paper falls apart in practice. In this episode, Kristie and Julie explain the common traps teams fall into when creating student schedules—and how to build ones that truly support belonging and participation. You’ll learn how to spot “support-based scheduling” and replace it with a plan that centers access, collaboration, and student needs. Get the Inclusive System Scheduling Process at https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/download68.

In this episode, Julie and Kristie reveal the exact words school leaders can use to promote inclusion with clarity, confidence, and compassion. From responding to resistance to inspiring buy-in, you'll get ready-to-use scripts and strategies for navigating tough conversations about inclusive practices. Whether you’re a principal, coach, or advocate, you’ll leave feeling prepared to lead with language that unites. Download the free guide at http://inclusiveschooling.com/download67.

Before you can have trust, share a classroom, or divide lessons, you have to build a relationship. In this episode, Kristie and Julie explore what makes co-teaching work—from shared routines to honest conversations—and why relational trust is the foundation of everything. You’ll get practical ways to deepen connection with your co-teacher, whether you’re starting fresh or have worked together for years. Download the free guide: 101 Ways to Get to Know Your Co-Teacher at https://inclusiveschooling.com/download66

When a student yells, swears, withdraws, or melts down, it’s not about control—it’s about regulation. In this episode, Julie and Kristie share how to shift from managing behavior to calming nervous systems in the moment. Learn 20 real-time strategies that help de-escalate intense situations with compassion, not compliance. Download the free guide: 20 De-Escalation Ideas That Work at https://inclusiveschooling.com/download65

There’s a lot of confusion around what Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) really means—especially when paraprofessional support is part of the plan. In this episode, Julie and Kristie clarify how LRE works under IDEA, why needing support doesn’t mean a student should be removed, and how we can shift from gatekeeping to problem-solving. You’ll walk away with language, mindset shifts, and team questions that build a stronger culture of inclusion. Download the free resource: A Para Is Not an Environment at inclusiveschooling.com/download64.

When students are dysregulated, offering a break can feel like the right move—but is it always helpful? In this episode, Kristie and Julie unpack how well-meaning adult-led breaks can unintentionally reinforce escape patterns or erode access to learning. You’ll learn how to offer breaks with purpose, equity, and intention—so students stay connected, not sent away. Download the free resource: The Stay-Put Toolbox at inclusiveschooling.com/download63.

Before behavior escalates, the classroom environment can do the heavy lifting. In this episode, Julie and Kristie share 16 proactive tweaks that help prevent challenging behavior by reducing stress and increasing connection. From visual supports to relationship rituals, these simple shifts make classrooms calmer and more inclusive for everyone. Download the free resource: Classroom Tweaks That Prevent Challenging Behavior at inclusiveschooling.com/download62.