In this episode, Julie and Kristie invite listeners to put on their creativity hats and explore five small yet powerful shifts that can profoundly improve school culture. They focus on the “feel” of a school—how it welcomes students, families, and educators—and how small tweaks, like changing a sign from “You are late” to “We’re glad you’re here,” can radically shift emotional tone and engagement. From morning greetings to creative cafeteria strategies, this episode empowers listeners to build inclusive culture through intentional micro-moves.
Tension between Inclusion
and Safety
This courageous and nuanced conversation dives into one of the biggest fears around inclusion: safety. Julie and Kristie name the fear, challenge ableist assumptions, and provide seven steps to help educators feel equipped, empowered, and proactive when facing concerns about safety in inclusive settings. With humor and honesty, they tackle myths, share research-backed practices, and guide listeners through a shift from exclusion-based thinking to supportive, inclusive responses.
Lifelines for Leading with Compassion
“They’re Too Distractible”… Is NOT a Reason for Pull-Out
“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
Is Distractibility a Reason for Pull-Out?
It happens quickly in IEP and problem-solving meetings. A student is described as “too distractible” in the general education classroom, and before long, the team is discussing resource room time, small group instruction, or another place where the student might be...
The “Real World Lie” Stop Preparing Students for a Life No One Would Choose
We’re preparing students for the real world”, but what if that version of the real world is outdated, inequitable, and not a life anyone would choose?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.
Are “Life Skills” Classrooms Really Preparing Students for the Real World?
Schools often defend restrictive practices with a familiar phrase: “We’re preparing students for the real world.” But school leaders need to look carefully at what we're calling real-world preparation, especially for students with disabilities. Adult life includes...
Behavior Charts in Disguise—and Why They Need to Go
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.
Behavior Charts in Disguise: What School Leaders Should Look For
Many schools will tell you they no longer use behavior charts. The red, yellow, and green cards are gone. The clips have disappeared. Public behavior boards have (hopefully) come down. But the practice itself may still be there. Points, paws, tokens, classroom...
Does This Student Need a Small Group? Ask This First.
One of the most common things school leaders hear is: "This student needs a small group." The statement usually comes from a place of care. A student is struggling, a team wants to help, and small group instruction feels like the obvious solution. The problem is...
When “They Need a Small Group” Is Code for Exclusion
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.
The Most Important Support Question Isn’t About the Student
School teams spend a lot of time asking: "What support does this student need?" It's an important question. But it may not be the most important one. A more powerful question is: "Would I want this support if I were the student?" That single question can expose...
Support Should Feel Helpful, Not Controlling
Most school leaders can spot a student who isn't receiving enough support. It's much harder to recognize when a student is receiving too much. But over-supporting students is one of the most common barriers to inclusion. The Hidden Cost of Over-Support When adults...
Legal Education
Better Behavior Starts With Better Solutions
Behavior 360 is an effective professional learning series built upon a new way of thinking about behavior.
Behavior 360 equips educators with practical, brain-based strategies for preventing challenging behavior, responding effectively in the moment, and supporting lasting change.
Instead of relying on rewards, punishments, or removal, your team will create calmer classrooms, stronger relationships, and better outcomes for students.
- 10+ hours of practical, on-demand professional learning.
- 34 scenario-based lessons for everything from refusal and aggression to running, swearing, and classroom disruption.
- Proactive classroom strategies, de-escalation techniques, and Student Success Plans.
- Downloadable guides, transcripts, and bonus resources.
“…Inclusive Schooling always delivers real, inclusive tools that work.”
— Director of Special Services, Warren County Public Schools (VA)
Show Me Behavior 360
Perfect for:
All PreK–12 Educators, Specialists, and School Leaders
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