Beyond Labels – Nurturing
A Culture of Belonging
Your Presenters
Dr. Julie Causton
A best selling author, inspiring speaker, and inclusion advocate, Dr. Julie Causton began her career as an educator and then 14 years as a tenured professor at Syracuse University. In 2012 she founded Inclusive Schooling, a premiere company solely devoted to delivering professional development which transforms schools and lives. She has spent the past 25 years nearly obsessed with discovering innovative practices and teaching others about inclusive education through her wildly engaging presentations.
Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak
A highly sought-after speaker, accomplished author, and educators’ educator. Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak began her career as an early interventionist and then spent 16 years as a tenured professor at Kent State University. Since 2013 she has followed her true passion for designing and delivering transformative professional development. As a result, she has accumulated over 50,000 hours of helping educators and leaders work from a place of compassion, hope, and love in locations from Cincinnati to Singapore.
Need a resource in a different format? We’re committed to ensuring accessibility for all. If you need any of our resources in an alternative format to better meet your needs, kristie@inclusiveschooling.com, and we’ll be happy to assist!
Achieving Inclusion: 5 Strategies to ensure an inclusive placement for your child
Guiding questions created by Charmaine Thaner
Learn more about the Art of Advoacy:
Keynote: Inclusive Education - Building Schools Where Every Student Belongs and Succeeds (click to access the resources)
- Develop and share a clear vision for your child’s inclusive education
- Collaborate effectively with your child’s school team as an equal partner
- Identify and request “just right” supports that promote meaningful participation
- Navigate the IEP process to prioritize inclusive placements and strength-based goals
- Break down common barriers and myths that can lead to unnecessary separation
Achieving Inclusion: 5 Strategies to Ensure an Inclusive Placement for Your Child [pdf]
Definition of Inclusion [pdf]
The Circle Makers [weblink]
The Inclusion Podcast Episode: Ep. 30 The Recipe for Real Inclusion: 9 Must-Have Ingredients [shownotes]
9 Must-Have Ingredients [pdf]
Communication the Benefits of Inclusive Education: 20 Key Points for Families [pdf]
Inclusion Benefits: 80 Talking Points for Families [pdf]
22 Ways to Respond to the Phrase “Inclusion isn’t fair to the other students!” [pdf]
What is Special Education? The Answer will Surprise You [YouTube]
Does Self-Contained Special Education Deliver on Its Promises [pdf]
The Inclusion Podcast: Ep. 31 Understanding LRE and Its Role in Supporting All Learners [pdf]
What is a common error made during IEP meetings? [YouTube]
Checklist of Sample Supplemental, Supports, Aids and Services [pdf]
Inclusion Research Fast Facts [googledoc]
Transition to an Equity Lens [pdf]
Language the Lifts [pdf]
20 More Ways to Talk About the Concept of Fairness [pdf]
FAIR Activity [pdf]
ECLRE Family Toolkit [pdf]
Achieving Inclusion: Strategies for Creating Inclusive Classrooms for ALL Students [pdf]
Co-teaching Models [pdf]
Paraprofessional Legal FAQ’s [pdf]
Prompting Ladder with Examples [pdf]
20 Ways to Provide Invisible or Silent Support [pdf]
Common Access Points [pdf]
One-Teach/One-Make Multisensory [pdf]
Working Ways Menu [pdf]
101 Ways to Offer Choice [pdf]
ZigZag Equalizer [pdf]
Breakout Session: Strength in Difference: Celebrating Neurodiversity in Our Schools (click to access the resources)
Families are at the heart of every child’s learning journey. In this session, we’ll explore how celebrating neurodiversity helps create welcoming schools where all children thrive. You’ll discover how your voice and partnership are essential to building inclusive environments—places where differences are seen as strengths and every child feels valued.
We’ll share practical strategies you can use right away, including how to:
- Work with your child’s school team to find the right supports that promote both independence and connection
- Use natural supports like peers, familiar routines, and visual tools to help your child feel included and capable
- Recognize behavior as communication and collaborate on compassionate, proactive plans that focus on understanding and connection
Whether your child is sensory-sensitive, a deep thinker, or a big feeler, you’ll leave with concrete tools to help them feel seen, supported, and included—not just in the classroom, but throughout the entire school community.
Key PPT [pdf]
Additional Resources
The Circle Makers Series [weblink]
Why We Love UDL
- 5 Must Try Strategies for a More Inclusive Classroom [blogpost]
- Ways to Uplevel Your Classroom Using UDL 3.0 [pdf]
- UDL Examples [pdf]
- One Teach/One Make Multi-sensory [pdf]
- Tic Tac Toe [pdf]
- 101 Ways to Offer Choice [pdf]
Language that Lifts
- Language that Lifts: Simple Shifts for Powerful IEPs [pdf]
- Disability-Affirming Education [pdf]
- Strategies for Presuming Competence [pdf]
Stress Behavior NOT Misbehavior
- Human Ways of Being [pdf]
- Checklist of Common Stressors [pdf]
- Top 10 Ways to Reduce Stressors [pdf]
- Effective Use of Visual Supports [pdf]
High Five for Friendships
- Soul Friends [pdf]
- Printable Power Packs for Sour Friends [pdf]
- Come Play with Me [article]
- Promising Practices to Support Friendships in Inclusive Classrooms [article]
- IDEA Childhood Outcomes [article]
Need a resource in a different format? We’re committed to ensuring accessibility for all. If you need any of our resources in an alternative format to better meet your needs, kristie@inclusiveschooling.com, and we’ll be happy to assist!
Your go-to source for making inclusion a reality.
Whether you’re a school leader, educator, advocate, paraprofessional, parent, or simply passionate about creating inclusive schools, this podcast is for you.
Topics You Do Not Want to MISS:
- Meaningful IEPs: Quality Over Quantity
- Fading Paraprofessional Support
- Why Behavior Charts Fail Our Students
- The Recipe for Real Inclusion
- Understanding LRE (mistakes made by most)
