Think Inclusive

Tim Villegas
  • 5.0 (61)
  • Courses
  • Updated Weekly

Think Inclusive brings you real conversations about building schools where every learner belongs.

  1. Inclusion for Students with Visual Impairments: Overcoming Barriers Together with Jonathan Hooper

    10h ago

    Inclusion for Students with Visual Impairments: Overcoming Barriers Together with Jonathan Hooper

    Jonathan Hooper is a distinguished educator and a certified teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) and an assistive technology professional (ATP). With 13 years of experience as an itinerant vision teacher in New York City, Jonathan currently contributes his expertise at Pediatric View at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. There, he specializes in Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and complex support needs alongside Dr. Christine Roman Lansky. His journey into the field was driven by firsthand classroom experiences with a student with visual impairments, which inspired him to transition from a general education role to a specialized advocate for inclusive education. In this insightful episode of Think Inclusive, hosted by Tim Villegas, listeners explore the essential aspects of creating inclusive environments for students with visual impairments. Jonathan Hooper shares his journey from a general education teacher to a specialist in visual impairments, emphasizing the separation of vision from cognition and the significance of presuming competence. The discussion broadly encompasses the value and implementation of accessibility in educational contexts, ranging from academic subjects to everyday social interactions in lunchrooms and playgrounds. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/inclusion-for-students-with-visual-impairments-overcoming-barriers-together-with-jonathan-hooper-1334/

    1h 6m
  2. Fighting to Stop Fighting: What Keeps Advocates Like Ryan Honick Going?

    Jun 29

    Fighting to Stop Fighting: What Keeps Advocates Like Ryan Honick Going?

    Ryan Honick is an award-winning disability advocate, professional persuader, and prominent speaker. Over the years, he has forged significant pathways in advocacy on Capitol Hill, within federal government parameters, nonprofit organizations, and expansive PR firms. Honick is recognized for his influential work in publicizing the challenges faced by individuals using rideshare apps with service dogs, which led to a noteworthy lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice. Currently matched with his second service dog, Lovey, Honick remains an indefatigable voice in the arena of disability rights, leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to share his narrative and insights. In this invigorating episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas is joined by remarkable disability advocate Ryan Honick. The spotlight is on Ryan's relentless decade-long fight against rideshare app discrimination towards service dog users, culminating in a Department of Justice lawsuit. Villegas delves into the parallels between Honick's personal advocacy experiences and the indispensable fight for inclusive practices within educational settings, resonating deeply with educators and families nationwide. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/fighting-to-stop-fighting-what-keeps-advocates-like-ryan-honick-going-1333/

    59 min
  3. Patrick Mulick: Why "Bad Choice" Is the Wrong Language for Schools

    Jun 9

    Patrick Mulick: Why "Bad Choice" Is the Wrong Language for Schools

    Patrick Mulick is a board-certified behavior analyst, a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell team. Serving as the Director of Student Engagement at the Auburn School District in Washington State, Patrick holds degrees in Special Education and Behavior Analysis from Gonzaga University. He has years of experience teaching students with disabilities, particularly those with autism and complex behavioral needs, and is now a nationally recognized speaker who shares practical tools and strategies for educators. In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas sits down with Patrick Mulick, a behavior analyst and Director of Student Engagement at Auburn School District, to discuss reducing the use of restraint and eliminating isolation in schools. Patrick recounts how the pandemic provided a turning point for schools to rethink their approach to handling students with complex behavioral needs. By implementing proactive strategies, shifting focus from restraint to personalized support, and using data-driven approaches, Patrick has successfully led his district to significantly reduce incidents of isolation and restraint. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/patrick-mulick-why-bad-choice-is-the-wrong-language-for-schools-1332/

    53 min
  4. TerpsEXCEED: Making College Possible for All

    May 28

    TerpsEXCEED: Making College Possible for All

    Join us on this insightful episode of MCIE's "Think Inclusive" podcast, as Tim Villegas delves into the Terps Exceed program at the University of Maryland. Explore the innovative two-year initiative that integrates students with intellectual disabilities into university life, providing them with education, employment, and social opportunities typically seen in post-secondary education settings. With compelling narratives from students, peer mentors, and coordinators, this episode highlights the vital role of inclusive post-secondary education in evolving societal perspectives. The Terps Exceed program at UMD exemplifies how creating inclusive college environments benefits all students. As part of a four-part series in collaboration with Think College, this episode uncovers how peer mentors contribute to a transformative college experience for students with intellectual disabilities. Key figures, such as Betsy Tornquist and Amy D'Agati, share the program's journey and its broader implications, setting an inspiring precedent for other institutions. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/terpsexceed-making-college-possible-for-all-1330/ This episode was made possible with generous support from Think College. Learn more at thinkcollege.net.

    27 min
  5. Rethinking Social Skills: Teaching Social Thinking for All Learners with Michelle Garcia Winner

    Apr 23

    Rethinking Social Skills: Teaching Social Thinking for All Learners with Michelle Garcia Winner

    About the Guest(s): Michelle Garcia Winner is a renowned speech-language pathologist and the founder of Social Thinking. With over 30 years of experience, she has developed a methodology that seeks to aid teachers, therapists, and families in supporting social and organizational learning. Her work focuses on helping individuals, especially those on the autism spectrum, understand and enhance their social thinking skills. In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas sits down with Michelle Garcia Winner, the mind behind the Social Thinking methodology. With a rich conversation centered around the invisible social rulebook, they discuss how educators and therapists can move beyond teaching social skills as mere behaviors. Michelle unfolds her insights into interpreting social situations, self-advocacy, and flexible thinking, breaking down the complexities into teachable and actionable strategies. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/rethinking-social-skills-teaching-social-thinking-for-all-learners-with-michelle-garcia-winner-1330/

    47 min
  6. Advocating for Full Inclusion: Every Student Deserves Belonging with Sandra McElwee

    Apr 17

    Advocating for Full Inclusion: Every Student Deserves Belonging with Sandra McElwee

    Sandra McElwee is a prominent advocate for inclusive education and disabilities rights, known for her role as Sean's mom from the Emmy-winning reality TV series, "Born This Way." With over three decades of experience advocating for individuals with disabilities, Sandra has been a pillar of support and change within the inclusive education community. She is an author, public speaker, and independent facilitator writing Person-Centered Plans in California. In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in a compelling conversation with Sandra McElwee, a pioneering advocate for inclusive education. As the mother of Sean, famously known from the TV show "Born This Way," Sandra shares her journey of challenging educational norms to ensure her son had an inclusive education from the 1990s onwards. This episode explores the transformative power of inclusion in schools and the uphill battle families often face within the educational system. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/advocating-for-full-inclusion-every-student-deserves-belonging-with-sandra-mcelwee-1329/

    1h 2m
  7. Building Inclusive Schools: From Belief to Practice with Michele Gardner

    Apr 9

    Building Inclusive Schools: From Belief to Practice with Michele Gardner

    Michele Gardner is the interim CEO at All In for Inclusive Education, an organization dedicated to fostering inclusive practices in educational institutions. With over 25 years of experience in the New Jersey public school system, Michelle has held various roles such as special education teacher, paraprofessional, assistant principal, and director of special services. Additionally, she has been an adjunct instructor at the College of New Jersey, teaching future educators, and earning acclaim for her leadership in inclusive education. Her efforts focus on supporting systemic change through coaching, consultation, and professional development for educators and administrators. In this insightful episode of "Think Inclusive," Tim Villegas hosts Michele Gardner, interim CEO of All In for Inclusive Education, to discuss the intricacies of systemic change towards inclusive education. Tim and Michelle delve into how schools and districts can transform inclusive education from a mere belief to a practice embraced in every classroom. They explore core themes of systems change, capacity building, and mindset shift in educational environments, spotlighting the journey from exclusionary practices to inclusive excellence. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/building-inclusive-schools-from-belief-to-practice-with-michelle-gardner-1328/

    56 min
  8. Centering Disabled Students' Voices for True Inclusion and Justice with Dom Kelly

    Apr 2

    Centering Disabled Students' Voices for True Inclusion and Justice with Dom Kelly

    Dom Kelly is the co-founder, president, and CEO of New Disabled South and New Disabled South Rising. A lifelong disability advocate, Dom has made his mark in nonprofit leadership and as a systems thinker who combines lived experience with movement building. Apart from his advocacy work, Dom is an accomplished musician, having toured extensively and shared the stage with renowned artists such as the Indigo Girls and Joan Baez. Amassing an impressive array of fellowships and awards, Dom is also an Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity and a recipient of the JM Kaplan Funds Innovation Prize. He resides in Atlanta with his family. In this powerful episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in a significant dialogue with Dom Kelly, steering deeply into the realm of disability justice in schools. The conversation navigates the intertwining facets of inclusion, justice, belonging, and how these play out within educational settings. Dom Kelly, drawing from his multifaceted experiences as a disability advocate and co-founder of New Disabled South, speaks on evolving beyond mere compliance to fostering inclusive environments that value the voices and needs of disabled students, especially at the intersection of race and disability. Complete transcript and show notes: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/centering-disabled-students-voices-for-true-inclusion-and-justice-with-dom-kelly-1327/

    58 min
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About

Think Inclusive brings you real conversations about building schools where every learner belongs.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Villegas
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    229
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © MCIE
  • Show Website
    Think Inclusive

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