
Episode 79: More Than Words: A Parent's Perspective on Autism
From Compass PD Podcast with Dr. Carrie Hepburn by Compass PD
April 24, 2025 · 22 min
About this episode
Michelle Kearns shares her insights as a mother of a child on the autism spectrum, emphasizing the importance of understanding and compassion in education.
In this powerful episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Michelle Kearns—educator and mother to her son Gehrig, who is on the autism spectrum—joins Dr. Natalie Fallert to build upon her touching blog More Than Words: An Autism Journey. Michelle shares what she wishes every educator, parent, and student knew about autism, and how we can all do better to cultivate true belonging in our schools. From leading through compassion to making space for students’ interests, Michelle offers heartfelt storie...
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Natalie Fallert
Guest: Michelle Kearns
Topics covered
- autism
- education
- parenting
- belonging
- compassion
- student interests
Keywords
- autism
- education
- parenting
- belonging
- compassion
- student interests
- advocacy
More episodes of Compass PD Podcast with Dr. Carrie Hepburn
- Episode 88: It Takes a Board: The Role of Leadership in Community Literacy · April 12, 2026 · 31 min
- Episode 87: From Guesswork to a Plan: The Power of Resource Audits · April 2, 2026 · 18 min
- Episode 86: Lighting a Literacy Beyond School Walls Part 2 · February 16, 2026 · 43 min
- Episode 85: Lighting a Literacy Fire Beyond School Walls · December 29, 2025 · 43 min
- Episode 84: Uniting Home, School, Community · December 3, 2025 · 39 min
- Episode 83: Beyond the Label: How Churchill Transforms Learning for Students with Dyslexia · October 30, 2025 · 51 min
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