Think Inclusive

Maya Chupkov (she/her) is the host of the podcast Proud Stutter and Media and Democracy Program Manager at California Common Cause. She advocates for people who stutter and works to raise awareness and build inclusive spaces through storytelling and policy.Maya Chupkov shares her journey of embracing her stutter and using podcasting as a platform for advocacy. She talks about misconceptions around stuttering, her personal growth, and how inclusive environments can make a difference. This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility, education, and authentic storytelling.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/maya-chupkov-advocating-for-stuttering-awareness-through-podcasting/

About The Guest(s):Andy Arias: DEIA expert, national policy advisor, instructor at Georgetown University, actor, and producer.Diego Mariscal: Founder, CEO, and Chief Disabled Officer of 2Gether International, an accelerator that supports disabled entrepreneurs.Emily Ladau: Disability rights activist, author of "Demystifying Disability," and board member of Kids Included Together.Summary: In this episode, Torrie Dunlop hosts a panel discussion with Andy Arias, Diego Mariscal, and Emily Liddell to honor the legacy of Judy Heumann, a pioneer and advocate in the disability rights movement. The panelists discuss how Judy's work has inspired their own activism, the most important issues facing the disability community today, and the impact of intersectionality in disability rights. They also share personal stories and reflections on Judy as a person, highlighting her generosity, humor, and commitment to connecting people. The panelists discuss how they plan to continue Judy's legacy in their own work, emphasizing the importance of authentic representation and collaboration in the disability community.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/_LOEalVNz27i_mdqvHaNnXHQVqQKey Takeaways:Judy Heumann's legacy is characterized by her commitment to collaboration, community building, and intersectionality in the disability rights movement.The most important issues facing the disability community today are interconnected and require a holistic approach to address barriers in healthcare, employment, education, transportation, and more.Judy's impact as a person extended beyond her advocacy work, as she was known for her humor, generosity, and genuine interest in connecting with others.To honor Judy's legacy, it is crucial to prioritize authentic representation and collaboration in all aspects of disability rights work, including storytelling, filmmaking, and entrepreneurship.Kids Included Together: https://www.kit.org/Andy Arias: https://www.instagram.com/andyswheelz/Diego Mariscal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Diego-Mariscal/Emily Ladau: https://emilyladau.com/

Brooke Ellison — Disability rights advocate, author, and professor at Stony Brook University. Brooke became a ventilator-using quadriplegic at age 11 after being hit by a car, graduated from Harvard, and ran for the New York State Senate; her work matters because she pushes us to see disability as strength, redesign systems with universal design, and center disability across all policy areas. Brooke Ellison joins Think Inclusive to talk about her book Look Both Ways, sharing how living with quadriplegia reshaped her understanding of disability—from shame and pity to resilience and empowerment. She calls for disability to be treated as a cross‑cutting policy issue, highlights the power of universal design, and reminds educators and communities that inclusion benefits everyone. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/look-both-ways-exploring-disability-with-brooke-ellison/

Kayla Taylor — Writer, researcher, advocate, and parent; author of Canaries Among Us, she blends lived experience with research to help families understand learning differences, bullying, and anxiety and to push schools toward more caring, inclusive cultures.In this conversation, Kayla Taylor shares what she learned while raising a child navigating learning differences, bullying, and anxiety—and why telling these stories in real time (not decades later) helps families feel less alone. She breaks down what bullying really is, why power dynamics matter, and how schools and bystanders can respond in ways that actually reduce harm and build belonging. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/understanding-bullying-a-personal-journey-and-call-for-change-with-kayla-taylor/

Andratesha Fritzgerald — Founder and lead consultant of Building Blocks of Brilliance; international speaker and author of Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success. Her work pushes schools to move from a culture of power to a culture of honor, combining UDL with anti-racism so every learner is seen, heard, and supported.Tim Villegas interviews Andratesha Fritzgerald about building a culture of honor in schools—shifting power by co‑designing learning with students and pairing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with anti-racist practice. They dig into how fear-based control harms learning, what “expert learners” look like at any age, and the difference between equality and equity. The episode was recorded June 30, 2023, the day of major Supreme Court rulings, which shaped parts of the conversation; the show closes with a “mystery question” and a Free Time chat with Carolyn Teigland on navigating DEI language in restrictive contexts.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/creating-a-culture-of-honor-in-education-an-interview-with-andratesha-fritzgerald/

Dr. Shelley Moore (she/her) — Educator, researcher, speaker, and storyteller based in Vancouver, BC. Shelley focuses on equity and inclusion for all learners; her work (including the bestselling One Without the Other) helps schools design learning that’s accessible from the start, not retrofitted later. Season 11 kicks off with Dr. Shelley Moore breaking down the 5 Ps of Inclusive Education—Positive attitude, Placement, Peers, Purpose, and Plan for all—and how these pillars make secondary inclusion real, not just aspirational. She shares research, concrete school examples (including students with intellectual disabilities earning high‑school credit), and a PD approach that actually shifts practice. We also hear about system barriers like LRE misinterpretations and overreliance on one‑to‑one adult support, along with why student voice and universally designed lessons matter for everyone.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/the-5-ps-of-inclusive-education-with-dr-shelley-moore/

Michael Boll — technology coach and educator who helps teachers learn and use AI. He leads professional learning, focuses on practical classroom use (brainstorming, lesson ideas, tutoring support), and thinks a lot about how to guide—not block—AI in schools. Michael also shares how parenting a son with profound autism shapes his views on learning and support.Tim and Michael unpack what AI can (and can’t) do in schools right now, cutting through hype and fear. They talk about everyday teacher uses (brainstorming, drafting, adapting lessons), the ethics of student use and citation, and the promise of AI tutors to personalize learning—especially for students with disabilities—if educators lead with clear structures and guardrails. The big message: learn the tools, expect some mess, and guide the narrative together.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/bonus-exploring-the-potential-and-ethical-implications-of-ai-in-education/

Tany Holzworth is a content designer for inclusive classroom tools at Microsoft. With a background in education and a passion for inclusion, Tany has worked to create tools and programs that support diverse learners and promote accessibility.In this bonus episode of Think Inclusive, Tim Villegas talks with Tany Holzworth, Content Designer for Inclusive Classroom Tools at Microsoft. Tany shares her journey from working as a paraprofessional and building an inclusive volunteer program at Woodland Park Zoo to designing accessible tools for educators. The conversation explores practical strategies for fostering inclusion, lessons learned about mindset and accessibility, and highlights Microsoft tools like Immersive Reader and Reading Progress that support diverse learners.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/bonus-building-inclusive-classroom-tools-a-conversation-with-tany-holzworth/

Carolyn is the CEO of the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE). She previously served as the Associate Superintendent for Cecil County Public Schools and has extensive experience in promoting inclusive education. Carol is one of the founders and former CEO of MCIE, having transitioned to Director of Special Projects in 2023. She has worked closely with school districts in Maryland and other states to promote systems change and school transformation. In this episode of Think Inclusive, Tim interviews Carolyn and Carol as they discuss the organization's history and its partnership with school districts since 1990. They highlight the importance of leadership in sustaining inclusive education and share success stories of students who have thrived in inclusive classrooms. The guests also discuss the challenges and trends in the educational landscape, including the focus on equity and the need for universal design for learning. They emphasize the need for comprehensive professional learning and job-embedded coaching to support educators in implementing inclusive practices. The episode concludes with a discussion on how families and educators can advocate for inclusive education and the future plans of MCIE.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/carolyn-teigland-and-carol-quirk-mcie-partners-with-school-districts-to-promote-inclusion-and-equity/

DJ Nicholson is an experienced educator and advocate for inclusive education. She has a background in special education and has worked with students with disabilities for many years. DJ is passionate about finding innovative ways to support learners with disabilities and believes that technology, including AI, can play a crucial role in creating inclusive learning environments.In this episode, DJ Nicholson and Tim Villegas discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting learners with disabilities. They explore the potential benefits of AI in leveling text and making reading more accessible for students with different reading abilities. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities of using AI in the classroom, as well as the importance of individualized learning and student choice. The conversation highlights the need for educators to embrace AI as a tool to enhance learning experiences and promote independence for students with disabilities.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/bonus-using-ai-to-support-learners-with-disabilities-in-the-classroom/