Educating All Learners Alliance

Strengthening the Educator Pipeline: A Deep Dive with The Pathways Alliance

The shortage of special education teachers isn't just a staffing issue—it’s a student outcomes issue. When turnover is high, the consistency and quality of support for students with disabilities suffer. How do we move beyond "filling gaps" to building sustainable pipelines that prepare educators for the reality of the modern classroom?

In this episode, we’re joined by Sabrina Baptiste, Project Director for the Pathways Alliance. Sabrina shares insights into how innovative preparation models are ensuring new teachers are ready to support diverse learning needs from the start. We dive into what’s working in the field, the systemic shifts still needed, and how we can center the needs of all learners by investing in the people who teach them.

Access the full transcript at: tinyurl.com/5MinPathways 

Unlocking Accessibility: Five Minutes with CAST

Dive into this episode as Aurora from EALA chats with Michelle Soriano, a Professional Learning Specialist at CAST’s Accessibility Solutions team. Explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and innovative accessibility strategies are transforming education. From policy shifts to practical wins, discover actionable insights for creating equitable learning environments for all. 

For more information, reach out to accessibility@cast.org. 

Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to EALA’s newsletter to stay up to date: https://innovateedunyc.formstack.com/forms/eala_newsletter_signup

Access the full transcript at https://tinyurl.com/5MinsWithCAST 

Expanding Public Montessori Access: Five Minutes with Mountain Juniper Montessori

In this episode, Michelle Maher, Co-Founder and Teacher Leader of Mountain Juniper Montessori, shares the journey of establishing Colorado’s first Wildflower Montessori public charter micro-school. Listen in as Michelle describes how they maintain high-fidelity Montessori practices in a tuition-free setting and the importance of being deeply community-embedded to ensure every child is truly known and supported. To learn more, visit https://www.wfcopublicschools.org/. 

Access the full transcript at: https://tinyurl.com/5MinsWithMJMontessori 

Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to EALA’s newsletter to stay up to date: https://innovateedunyc.formstack.com/forms/eala_newsletter_signup

When Lived Experience Leads: Rethinking Schools Through a Disability Lens

In this episode, Aurora Dreger speaks with Stephanie Atenco-Torres, a Latina activist, journalist, teacher in training, and disability advocate, about her experiences as a Latina student navigating the education system with an invisible disability. Stephanie reflects on the power of sharing lived experience and how speaking up can create change for students who are left unseen by their school leaders and teachers. This conversation is an important reminder that personal stories can influence systems, and that your voice may be the one someone else needs to hear. After listening, be sure to read Stephanie’s article on Tr!ll.

Access the full podcast transcript at https://tinyurl.com/whenlivedexperienceleads 

Designing for Difference: Multilingual Learners, Students with Disabilities, and Inclusive Design

Multilingual learners (MLLs) are an essential part of today’s classrooms, not an exception. In this episode, Aurora Dreger speaks with Dr. Molly Faulkner-Bond of WestEd about why education systems must be designed with MLLs in mind from the start. They explore asset-based language, the connection between MLL and disability advocacy, and how centering students with the most complex learning profiles leads to better assessment and instruction for all students.

Access the full podcast transcript at bit.ly/5MinsWithWestEd 

Transforming STEM Education: 5 Minutes with Mindset Math

In this episode, Aurora Dreger speaks with Annie Shan, Samantha Senajon, and Sanvi Nethikunta, the high school leaders behind Mindset Math. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to ensuring K-12 students in underserved communities have access to high-quality STEM education. Additionally, Mindset Math focuses on creating accessible learning pathways for every student. They discuss their work on various initiatives, specifically an AI-powered learning platform developed in collaboration with learning scientists to support students with disabilities such as dyscalculia, autism, and ADHD.

Access the full podcast transcript at bit.ly/5MinsWithMindsetMath

Lessons on Driving Change: A Deep Dive with DC Special Education Cooperative

Tune in to this exciting conversation with Meagan Alderton from the DC Special Education Cooperative to hear how they are creating systems where students with disabilities thrive. Meagan shares powerful strategies from successful DC schools, explaining why the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework is "just how you do school." Listen in for essential leadership advice that can help drive genuine change in your school.

 

Access the full podcast transcript at https://bit.ly/5MinsWithDCCoop

Empowering Teachers to Build Leaders: 5 Mins with IMSE Foundation and Dyslexic Edge

In this episode, EALA sits down with Krista Gauthier, Founder and President of Dyslexic Edge and Executive Director of IMSE Foundation, to explore practical pathways for supporting students who learn differently. Krista shares how these two powerful organizations are collaborating to give educators the tools needed to reach every learner through effective, evidence-based methods. To learn more check out IMSEfoundation.org and SDsquared.org.

Access the full podcast transcript at https://bit.ly/5MinsWithIMSE

 

Needs to Strengths: Outcomes for Students Who Learn Differently at Learner-Centered Schools

In this final episode of our special four-part series with Education Reimagined, we're sharing powerful, on-the-ground outcomes for youth who learn differently at learner-centered sites. EALA's Aurora Dreger is joined by Lindsy Ogawa from Education Reimagined and founding principal Susan Hart from LaFayette Big Picture School. They discuss how a focus on healing, authentic connection, and student interest is transforming student success—shifting a learner's experience from overwhelmed to confident, and ultimately turning self-advocacy into leadership for themselves and their peers

 

Access the full transcript: bit.ly/EALAxER_EP4

AI Literacy for Leaders: 5 Minutes with Amplify & Elevate Innovation

In this episode, we connect with Brett Roer, CEO and Founder of Amplify & Elevate Innovation to discuss how districts can build AI literacy through effective professional development for their principals and teachers.

Listen in for practical strategies to help prepare your school community to harness the power of AI to create more flexible learning environments for students with disabilities and learning differences.

 

Access the full transcript: bit.ly/5MW_Amplify_Elevate