Coherence in Action: Building Inclusive Systems Through ESU 3’s Inclusive Practices Academy

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of ESU 3’s Inclusive Practices Academy on inclusive education systems.

Inclusive education doesn’t happen by accident—it takes intentional systems, shared mindsets, and sustained collaboration. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton is joined by Allison Kelberlau (Assistant Director of Student Services, ESU 3), Eileen Heller (Education Consultant, Professional Learning, ESU 3), and Jill Guenther (Nebraska MTSS Regional Support Lead, Region 2) to unpack the story and impact of ESU 3’s Inclusive Practices Academy (IPA). The conversation traces the origins of the IPA from statewide coherence efforts led by the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Special Education, through its design and implementation, and into what the work looks like now in year two. Together, the group explores how mindset, systems and structures, and instructional practices intersect to support meaningful inclusion for students with disabilities—and how ESUs can model the very collaboration they hope to see in schools. Listeners will hear how the academy brings general education teachers, special educators, related service providers, and building leaders together around: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a foundational framework Co-planning…

People in this episode

Host: Andrew Easton

Guests: Allison Kelberlau, Eileen Heller, Jill Guenther

Topics covered

• inclusive education
• collaboration
• Universal Design for Learning
• co-teaching
• data-informed decision-making
• building leadership

Keywords

• inclusive practices
• education
• collaboration
• special education
• teacher training
• professional learning

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ESU 3, Nebraska Department of Education, Office of Special Education

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