Advertise on podcast: The SENIA Happy Hour Podcast

The conversation with Cody Alton from EARJ covers topics such as the school's unique structure, navigating a new role, legal landscape and inclusion challenges, responsible inclusion and capacity stretch, developing support for gifted learners, next steps and leadership transition, and the school's connection with SENIA. The discussion highlights the intentional and thoughtful approach of EARJ towards every student's learning process, as well as the school's commitment to inclusion and community building. Takeaways Unique structure of EARJ with two campuses and diverse pathwaysChallenges and opportunities in responsible inclusion and capacity stretch Chapters 00:00 Introduction to EARJ01:14 EARJ's Unique Structure03:10 Navigating a New Role10:06 Legal Landscape and Inclusion Challenges16:12 Responsible Inclusion and Capacity Stretch26:12 Developing Support for Gifted Learners34:19 Next Steps and Leadership Transition36:52 Connection with SENIA

Dr. Clay Cook discusses the importance of implementation science, adult behavior change, and the challenges faced in school communities. He emphasizes the need for readiness, shared ownership, and collaboration in the implementation process. Additionally, he highlights the role of leadership and the impact of cultural diversity on implementation. Dr. Cook also shares insights into the work of Character Strong and his upcoming participation in a conference in Jakarta. Takeaways Implementation science is essential for facilitating the adoption and high fidelity use of evidence-based practices.Shared ownership and collaboration are crucial for successful implementation in school communities.Cultural diversity and context adaptation play a significant role in the implementation process. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Implementation Science03:01 The Impact of Adult Behavior Change04:26 Understanding Implementation and Evidence-Based Practices07:38 Challenges in Implementation and Readiness09:46 Leadership and Shared Ownership19:03 Adapting Implementation to Cultural Diversity23:28 Character Strong and Conference Participation

What does inclusion look like when an entire school works together to support every learner? In our latest podcast episode, Pita-Gay Nelson takes us inside the International School of Tanganyika and shares how its team is strengthening student support across a diverse, multilingual community. From MTSS and co-teaching to booster groups, student voice, and thoughtful use of data, this conversation offers practical examples of inclusion in action.

In today’s podcast, we’re celebrating the release of this powerful new framework, created to help schools turn their commitment to inclusion into meaningful, consistent action. Host Lori Boll speaks with April Remfrey, SENIA’s Director of Accreditation, about why the Standards were created, what authentic disability inclusion looks like, how assessment can support reflection and growth, how the voices of students, families, educators, and support staff can guide the work, and what’s next as SENIA develops even more tools and resources for schools. Whether your school is beginning its inclusion journey or building on years of thoughtful work, this conversation offers inspiration and a practical place to start.

What happens when a small school thinks big about meeting the needs of every learner? In this episode of the SENIA Happy Hour Podcast, Lori speaks with Heather Naro, Head of Schutz American School in Alexandria, Egypt, about the school’s personalized learning journey. Schutz began with a thoughtful Grade 2 pilot—and the results have been powerful. Heather shares how personalized learning plans bring together student strengths, interests, goals, and assessment data to create learning experiences that offer both support and meaningful challenge.

Introducing SENIA Rewind…because great ideas are worth hearing more than once! In our first Rewind episode, host Lori Boll reconnects with executive function expert Sarah Ward for a fascinating conversation about processing speed: how learners take in information, organize it, and turn it into action. Sarah reminds us that processing speed is not a measure of intelligence. Learners who process information differently may simply need more time, clearer routines, and support connecting familiar structures to new situations. This episode is filled with practical insights for educators and families alike.

Our first Inclusion School Spotlight of the season is here, and we couldn’t imagine a more fitting place to begin! We’re celebrating Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), the host of SENIA’s next in-person conference: Championing Inclusion: Celebrating 25 Years of SENIA, taking place February 26–28, 2027. For nearly 75 years, JIS has cultivated a community where belonging is woven into the fabric of school life. Across four campuses serving approximately 2,200 students, the school continues to expand inclusive practices, strengthen MTSS and UDL, and create individualized pathways that help every learner thrive. In this episode, Head of School Maya Nelson shares how the JIS Learning Center is opening doors for more students, building meaningful connections across the school, and creating a community where every child is known, valued, and missed when they are absent. As Maya reminds us, our job is to believe in students—because we never know how they will astound us. What a joyful way to launch this season and begin the countdown to two extraordinary milestones: 75 years of JIS and 25 years of SENIA! We can’t wait to celebrate, learn, and champion inclusion together in Jakarta.

On today’s Happy Hour podcast, host Lori Boll sits down with Rachael Thrash, Senior Director of Education and Innovation at Big Bad Boo Studios and author of Let the Learners Lead, for a thoughtful conversation about story-based learning, student voice, and inclusive communities. Rachael shares how creative approaches to social-emotional learning and citizenship can help educators nurture belonging, connection, and agency in meaningful ways. With programs that have reached more than 3 million children worldwide, this episode offers practical insight and inspiration for anyone committed to building more inclusive learning environments. Connect Website: BigBadBoo Website: Co-create Schools Linkedin

Connect: Organized Binder Website Mitch’s LinkedinMitch’s EmailSarah’s WebsiteSarah’s LinkedInResources from Today's Show How to buy  US Book Purchases:  Book 1: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning EnvironmentsBook 2: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong StartOutside of the US Book Purchases:  Book 1: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning EnvironmentsBook 2: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start

Connect: Website: Applied Harmony Linkedin Instagram: @kat_huels Resources From Today’s Show: Katrina’s books Transformational Tools for Special Educators: How to Beat Burnout and Become the Best at What You Do The Motivation Toolkit: Cultivate Your Inner Drive How We Feel App (Yale)

In today’s episode of the podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with Dr. Gary Roberts-Walker (they/them), Assistant Professor at National University and global educator, about imposter syndrome and how it quietly influences educators, parents, and professionals who support neurodivergent and disabled students. From explaining away success to hesitating to step into new opportunities, imposter syndrome often shows up in subtle language and internal dialogue. Dr. Gary offers practical tools for recognizing the signs, reframing self-talk, and building a trusted “power of five” support circle to grow into the next level of identity with confidence. A thoughtful conversation for anyone doing important work while quietly questioning whether they belong. Connect [email protected]

On today’s episode, host Lori Boll speaks with Reabetswe Maarohanye, Lower School Student Support Leader at Hangzhou International School, about what it truly means to build inclusive systems that serve students first. “We don’t ask if a student is good enough for HIS, we ask if HIS is good enough for the student.” The conversation explores how this belief shows up in daily practice through a collaborative student support model that blends EAL and learning support, a schoolwide wellness and SEL program, and intentional MTSS problem-solving. Reabetswe also shares how aligning UDL and WIDA standards helps ensure multilingual learners can fully access the curriculum. 🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful, practice-driven discussion on inclusion, collaboration, and designing schools around student needs Connect Website: Hangzhou International School LinkedIn: Hangzhou International SchoolReabetswe’s LinkedInReabetswe’s emailResources from Today's Show WIDA

Today on the podcast, host Lori Boll is joined Hallie Sherman, a licensed speech-language pathologist, author of the new book The Secondary SLP Roadmap, and the CEO behind Speech Time Fun, where she creates materials, training, and support for SLPs working with students in grades 4 through 12. After 17 years in New York public schools, Hallie learned early on what it really takes to motivate older students, build confidence, and help language skills transfer into real classroom progress. In this conversation, Hallie and Lori dig into what speech therapy can look like in the upper grades, the misconceptions that still linger, and practical strategies teachers can use right away to support language and learning. Connect Website: Speech Time Fun Instagram: Speech Time Fun Resources from Today's Show Book: The Secondary SLP Roadmap Diffit: AI differentiation tool Podcasserole: Think InclusiveGetting Smart PodcastBetter Learning PodcastLiteracy Matters: Empowered ConversationsWhat School Could BeAn Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership PodcastCOPAAThe Disability Almanac

On today’s episode, Lori is joined by Reneé Foster, Director of Student Support Services at ICS Addis in Ethiopia. With more than twenty-five years of experience in education, Reneé has worked across international and U.S. school settings as a secondary inclusion coordinator, learning support teacher, and bilingual specialist. She brings a deep commitment to inclusion, student voice, and building systems that ensure all learners belong and thrive. In this conversation, Reneé shares how responsible inclusion comes to life at ICS Addis, from culturally rooted community practices to intentional collaboration across student support teams. The episode explores MTSS, post-secondary transitions, empowering educational assistants, and the importance of shifting from deficit-based thinking to strength-based, asset-focused practices. Reneé also reflects on leadership, growth, and why inclusive systems must be viewed as an ongoing journey rather than a finished destination. Connect: Website  Linkedin Virtually ConnectEd Linden Global Learning Support

Connect: Website Linkedin