Think Inclusive with Tim Villegas [204]

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We are focusing today on one of our favorite topics: inclusion. Our guest shares how he is working with districts across the country to bring more inclusion, along with the most common misconception most educators have about inclusivity. Join us to learn more!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tim Villegas is the Director of Communications for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE), the founder of Think Inclusive, and the host of the Think Inclusive podcast. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Show Highlights:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How MCIE began 30 years ago and continues as a non-profit today, working with students, families, and education departments around the country</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Why restructuring and reimagining is the key to inclusion–not hiring more staff</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How inclusivity CAN meet the special needs of students</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Why it’s a false assumption that students can’t make progress on goals and objectives in a general education classroom</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">What Tim has noticed about a renewed focus on educational equity</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Why districts are using grant money to hire organizations like MCIE for help with inclusive practices</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Why the MCIE approach is a multi-year program that doesn’t bring change overnight but takes a long-term view of change (Tim shares an example of how it works to bring more inclusion.) </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;"