Think Inclusive

Will Parker is an educator, author, and executive coach. Will helps school leaders build strong cultures, communication, and community through his work at Principal Matters. He’s a former principal and host of the Principal Matters podcast. Will’s work matters for inclusion because he supports educators in leading with heart and compassion, especially during challenging times.

In this episode, Tim Villegas talks with Will Parker ab...

Brit Barron - Speaker, author, and comedian. Brit’s work explores how we stay connected in a polarized world, focusing on empathy, belonging, and liberation for all people. Brit’s book, Do You Still Talk to Grandma?, dives into cancel culture and navigating relationships with people we love but deeply disagree with. Their work matters for inclusion because it helps people build bridges in schools, communities, and families.

Brit Ba...

Jack Pearpoint: Canadian publisher, inclusion advocate, and co‑creator of person‑centered planning tools like MAPS, PATH, and Circle of Friends. Jack’s work centers on relationships and building local leadership for change so every learner belongs.

In this episode, Jack Pearpoint and Tim Villegas talk about “inclusion punk rock”—doing what’s right for learners even when systems say no. They dig into the origin of MAPS, PATH, and Ci...

Jennifer Gonzalez — National Board Certified Teacher and the voice behind Cult of Pedagogy. After more than a decade in classrooms, she now helps educators sharpen their craft with clear, practical guidance. Her work matters for inclusion because it centers relationships, cognitive growth, and everyday practices that make classrooms safe and welcoming for every learner.

In this conversation, Jennifer Gonzalez and host Tim Villegas t...

Cathi Davis is the principal of Ruby Bridges Elementary School in Woodinville, Washington, and the 2025 Washington State Principal of the Year. She leads a school built on the promise “we thought of you when we made this place,” designing for belonging, elevating student voice, and protecting adult collaboration so inclusive practices stick.

Principal Cathi Davis shares how Ruby Bridges Elementary purposefully designs for belonging ...

Samuel Habib is a college student, filmmaker, and disability rights advocate. He co-directed The Ride Ahead, a documentary chronicling his transition into adulthood as a disabled person. Samuel works part-time at the Westchester Institute for Human Development and is pursuing a degree in history at Southern New Hampshire University.

Dan Habib is an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and longtime advocate for inclusive education. He ...

Welcome to Think Inclusive. Each week, we bring together families, educators, and disability rights advocates to build a shared understanding of inclusive education—and what inclusion looks like in real schools and communities.

Hosted by Tim Villegas, Director of Communications at the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE), Think Inclusive shares real stories, practical strategies, and honest conversations that help you m...

In this compelling episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in an enlightening conversation with Elizabeth Bonker, a prominent advocate for non-speaking individuals. Elizabeth shares her inspiring journey of becoming a voice for non-speakers through typing. Despite the communication barriers she faced, Elizabeth emerged as a powerful force in advocating for inclusivity in education and society.

Elizabeth discusses the ...

In this riveting episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas delves into the intricacies of educational inclusivity and innovation in California, spotlighting the transformative EmbraceAbilities project. This initiative is spearheaded by Marcia Reily and Kristen Danhour Stanke, two educational specialists from the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Their mission is to reshape how the educational system supports students with...

About the Guest(s):

Dr. Leah Kelley is a distinguished neurodivergent education consultant, author, activist, educator, and parent. With 25 years of experience as a public school teacher, her roles have included primary teacher, inclusion resource teacher, and SEL Mental Health helping teacher. Leah is known for her national and international presentations on neurodiversity, advocacy, and inclusion, as well as her popular blog “...

Episode Summary

In this bonus episode of Think Inclusive, hosted by Tim Villegas, listeners are invited to relive a dynamic and innovative event organized by the Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA). The December 2024 retreat featured 22 mission-aligned organizations gathered for a 36-hour innovation sprint aimed at developing transformative projects in inclusive education. The event emphasized solutions co-designed by those close...

Episode Summary

In this insightful bonus episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, host Tim Villegas and the Inclusion Today team explore the collaborative journey embarked upon with the Educating All Learners Alliance. Igniting an ambitious national campaign, their goal is to ensure that more than a million students are educated in environments committed to inclusive learning practices. This episode captures the essence of their shar...

About the Guest(s):

Rachel Zemach is a deaf author and former educator with a passionate career centered around advocating for deaf students. Her profound experiences in mainstream education as a deaf teacher culminated in the writing of her book, "The Butterfly Cage: Joy, Heartache, and Corruption Teaching While Deaf in a California Public School," published in 2023. Rachel, who became deaf at the age of 10, is a strong propone...

About the Guest(s):

Emily Ladau is an activist, writer, and speaker, known for her relentless advocacy for disability rights. With a decade of experience, Emily serves as the editor of Able News, a digital newspaper amplifying the voices and stories of New York's vibrant disability community. Her involvement in disability rights extends beyond writing, as she continually seeks to inspire and challenge societal perceptions throug...

About the Guest(s):

Charmaine Thaner is a seasoned educator and advocate with over 30 years of experience, who has dedicated her career to supporting families and children with special needs. As a mother to a son with Down syndrome, she blends personal experience with professional expertise to guide parents through the complexities of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. Thaner is the founder of the Connecting for...

About the Guest(s):

Guy Stevens is a nationally recognized expert and advocate for ending restraint and seclusion in schools. He is the founder of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), a nonprofit organization focused on reforming punitive discipline practices in educational settings. Guy is also a board member of the ARC of Maryland and PDA North America. His advocacy is dedicated to promoting trauma-informed, ne...

About the Guest(s):

Toni Barton is a leader in education innovation and the founder of Speligent. She is a recognized authority on transforming schools through inclusive, equity-driven, and tech-enabled learning models, having gained vast experience as a teacher, principal, and district leader. Toni initiated the Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute at Relay Graduate School of Education, training leaders to construct anti-able...

About the Guest(s): 

Riley Mulcahy is the founder and Executive Director of The Riley Project, a nonprofit organization focused on storytelling and community building for individuals with learning differences. A graduate of St. Mary's College of California with a background in English and Creative Writing, Riley is also the Marketing and Admissions Associate at Compass High School, where he champions inclusive, strengths-ba...

About the Guest(s):

Alissa Rausch is a dedicated advocate for inclusive education rights, especially for young children with disabilities and various intersectional identities. Based at the University of Denver, she has extensive experience as a provider, program leader, educator, and technical assistance provider, notably developing inclusive programs and participating actively in legislative initiatives with organizations like...