The educators in District 109 are committed to including students with disabilities in general education. The district, located in Deerfield, IL, and serving students across four elementary schools and two middle schools, has been working to build the capacity to co-plan specially designed instruction (SDI) effectively.
District 109’s Approach to Inclusive Instructional Planning Read More »
Hi friends! Think Inclusive is turning 13, and honestly, I can’t believe it. When I started this podcast, it was just an idea. A way to share stories about inclusion and belonging and connect with people who are passionate about this work. Over the years, it’s grown into a community of educators, advocates, and families
13 Reasons Why You Should Come to the Think Inclusive Birthday Party on Giving Tuesday Read More »
School should be a place where every learner belongs. Hello inclusionists, If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a guest on a podcast, I’ll let you in on a secret: I love it. If you have a podcast (even if it’s just you and your dog listening) don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll
All Students Belong: Reflections from My Conversation with Will Parker Read More »
In a world where inclusion often feels like an uphill battle, this edition of the Weeklyish offers 21 practical ways to move inclusive education forward—starting today. Hello inclusionists, We live in a time when it’s easier to criticize than to collaborate. The world feels like it is upside-down. Conversations about education are often hijacked by
The world feels upside-down. Here’s how we can move forward. Read More »
One film, one conversation, and one powerful reminder: belonging is the baseline. Hello inclusionists, Late-season baseball is my brain’s default setting right now. Every pitch matters, no panic, move the runner. Let’s go Dodgers. That is how my conversation with Samuel and Dan Habib felt on Think Inclusive. Except they are rooting for the Red Sox. Their new
Don’t segregate. Could inclusion be this simple? Read More »
Instead of dwelling on the numerous challenges our world faces, we choose to spotlight small (and big) acts of rebellion. Hello Inclusionists, Everywhere you look, there are reasons for despair. Here is a non-exhaustive list of things I’ve read or watched that are keeping me hopeful. …imagine what it would be like if half or
Rebellions are built on hope Read More »
Tim Villegas spent nearly twenty years working with the kids Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said would “never hold a job,” “never write a poem,” and “never go out on a date.” In this edition of the Weeklyish, we revisit the early days of his career and share a much different vision of what students with
I’ve seen the future RFK Jr. says isn’t possible Read More »
The educational landscape is changing whether you like it or not. Some inclusionists are taking matters into their own hands. Hello Inclusionists, Recently, I had the privilege to spend time with Chelsea Hutchings, parent of a child with Down syndrome and fierce advocate for inclusive education in Georgia. Chelsea, who lives in Gwinnett County, experienced
One parent’s fight for inclusive education in Georgia Read More »
MCIE comes together and recognizes one another—individuals, organizations, companies, and collectives from different territories—to reaffirm a pact: to protect life in all its diversity. March 14, 2025 Today, we come together and recognize one another—individuals, organizations, businesses, and collectives from different lands—to reaffirm a pact: to protect life in all its diversity. We are currently
Statement for the Care of Life Read More »
In a recent journal article, Fuchs et al. refer to inclusion advocates as “abolitionists” and those supporting the status quo as “conservationists.” In this edition of the Weeklyish, we clarify that the new abolitionists argue for the abolition of the dual special and general education system, advocating for special education to be viewed as a
The rise of the new abolitionists Read More »
