In this episode, originally from Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones interviews Joel Lavin, an equity and inclusion administrator in Eugene, Oregon, with 25 years of experience in public education.

Joel shares insights into his work supporting high school students with disabilities, focusing on transition services that help students move from school to adulthood. The conversation covers the importance of inclusive practices, unifying specialized programs, and providing real-life experiences through initiatives like CTE (Career Technical Education) and the Future Build program.

Joel and Jethro discuss the challenges and successes of integrating students with disabilities into broader educational and extracurricular opportunities, including unified sports and robotics. The episode features personal stories that highlight the impact of these programs on student confidence, independence, and community involvement, emphasizing the value of collaboration among educators to create inclusive environments.

Follow Transformative Principal here: https://transformativeprincipal.org

In this episode, originally from Transformative Principal, Jethro Jones talks with Dr. Jayne Lammers, a dissertation coach, about the importance of having systems and support to complete a dissertation. They discuss Dr. Lammers' experience, the role of a dissertation coach, and various strategies such as weekly accountability check-ins, peer exchanges, and 'shut up and write' sessions to help doctoral students succeed.

• Join DAGGER 🗡️ Doc Student Support
• Jayne’s interview on TP Episode 592
• Weekly Accountability Group Meetings: the momentum generated by showing up
• Shut Up and Write Sessions: the power of social writing sessions (or isolated writing)
• Setting Goals: making them attainable and humane, not just SMART (and why that matters for doc students, especially)
• Peer Exchanges: why it’s worth your time to read your peers’ work, even when you feel you have limited time for your own

About Jayne Lammers

Dr. Jayne C. Lammers is a former tenured professor and Fulbright U.S. Scholar who has been supporting doctoral students since 2010. She now works as the Director of Learning Design for Edmentum, a K-12 digital learning and assessment provider, but remains connected to academia as a dissertation coach for the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Through Dr. Jayne Consulting Services, she helps researchers thrive by creating systems of accountability that turn the overwhelm into steady progress, and even joy! She’s been developing these systems through her work with academic writers at top U.S. institutions and in Indonesia.

Whether someone is a doctoral student navigating the dissertation process or a faculty member stretched too thin, Jayne is there to help. Her approach, affectionately called “lovin’ and shovin’” by a recent student participant, blends compassionate accountability with a no-shame attitude. She meets people where they are and then encourages them to make meaningful progress on their writing, research, goals, and future.

At the heart of everything she does is a commitment to making academia a more humane and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Those curious about her scholarship can check it out on ORCiD or Google Scholar.

Those interested in what she’s up to professionally can follow her on LinkedIn. Her Curriculum Vitae, current as of May 2025, is also available.

• (00:00) - TP Jayne Lammers Dissertation Coach
• (00:38) - Introduction and Background
• (01:55) - Dr. Jayne Lammers' Experience and Background
• (06:58) - The Role of a Dissertation Coach vs Chair
• (15:42) - Systems for Dissertation Success
• (25:10) - The Power of Peer Exchange
• (28:58) - The Value of Coaching and Next Steps

In this episode, originally from Artificial Intelligence: Real Talk, Jethro Jones interviews Derek "DC" Crager, a passionate advocate for making artificial intelligence accessible, especially for the neurodiverse community.

DC shares his personal experiences as an autistic individual and discusses how AI can empower people with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia to enhance their skills and independence. The conversation explores the unique challenges neurodiverse individuals face, the importance of supportive AI interfaces, and how technology can provide cognitive equity and a patient, understanding companion. DC also explains his work with Practical AI and AI for Autistics, offering insights into building inclusive tools and communities that help neurodiverse people thrive in education and employment. The episode highlights the transformative potential of AI as both a mentor and a bridge for communication, learning, and self-advocacy.

Learn more about the series, Artificial Intelligence: Real Talk by visiting https://avisionforlearning.com

In this episode, originally from the EdTech Startup Showcase, Ben Gustafson of Classroom Mosaic and Jeff McCoy, associate superintendent for Greenville County Schools in South Carolina, connect with host Scott Schuette.

They talk about:

• How Greenville "electronicized" observation with Classroom Mosaic
• Greenville's objective to get more insight into classrooms and transform instruction
• Helping principals become better instructional leaders and the impact on student achievement
• Excellent support for new administrators and new coaches
• How to use proven frameworks and modify them for local needs

Hear more about Classroom Mosaic:
We help K-12 leaders support, develop, and retain their teachers. For over a decade, we've worked with educators worldwide from districts large (100k students) and small (150 students) to transform instructional practice, guide professional development, and impact student learning.

We believe every student deserves a great education. And a great education starts with great teachers supported by great leaders. Learn more:

• classroommosaic.com
• twitter.com/ClassroomMosaic
• linkedin.com/company/classroommosaic/
• twitter.com/Ben__Gustafson
• linkedin.com/in/bengus28/

Today we're sharing an episode from De Facto Leaders, a popular show on the Be Podcast Network.

Ever feel like your school is trying all the “right” strategies—social skills groups, planners, behavior charts—but students still struggle with time management, motivation, and peer relationships?

You’re not alone—and there’s a reason why.

This episode is a clip from Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan's free training, “Create a Research-Based Implementation Plan for your School Team.”

It’s designed for school leaders who want to guide their teams in embedding executive functioning support across both general and special education settings—without burning out staff.

This episode is for you if you’re ready to:
✔️ Help students truly benefit from academic instruction
✔️ Support social-emotional growth alongside learning
✔️ Avoid overwhelming your team with another “initiative”

This episode is the first half of the training in audio format, but to view the whole training with the video, you can go to drkarendudekbrannan.com/efteams.

Listen and subscribe at https://defactoleaders.com

In this episode, from The Learning Bridge on the Be Podcast Network, host Richard Gerver speaks with BAFTA award-winning broadcasters, legendary music industry veterans, and parents of four children, Carrie and David Grant.

Hear about the very different, yet similarly challenging childhoods Carrie and David each navigated. We discuss their journeys into the entertainment industry, as well as the growth of their relationship, and their various roles as singers, presenters, talent show judges, and singing coaches to the stars.

We also talk about their family and in particular their four neurodivergent children. Carrie and David discuss what they’ve learnt about their children and how they champion each of them. They also explain what the education system needs to understand about the challenges they and millions of parents like them face. Carrie talks about her own recent diagnosis of being autistic.

Subscribe to The Learning Bridge wherever you get your podcasts: https://thelearningbridge.bepodcast.network/subscribe

About the host

Richard Gerver is a sought-after speaker, world-renowned thinker, and bestselling author of books including Change and Simple Thinking. His career began in education, first as a teacher and then as a school principal, when he turned the fortunes of a failing school and its pupils around in just two years.

Now regarded as one of the world's leading thinkers on human leadership and organisational transformation, Richard has worked with an extraordinary range of people, from elite athletes to former US President Barack Obama. Named UK Business Speaker of the Year three times, Richard has been invited to speak on the world’s most recognised stages, including TED, the RSA and the BBC.

Follow Richard on Twitter @richardgerver and on LinkedIn.

• (00:00) - Carrie and David Grant
• (00:08) - Introduction and Podcast Overview
• (01:25) - Guest Introduction: David and Carrie Grant
• (01:41) - David and Carrie's Personal Journey
• (02:53) - Transition into the Arts and Entertainment Industry
• (03:58) - Impact of Fame and Success
• (04:16) - Raising Neurodivergent Children and Advocacy
• (07:12) - Reflections on Personal Growth and Self-Perception
• (24:56) - The Power of Honesty and Constructive Criticism
• (26:31) - The Struggles of Neurodivergent People
• (27:51) - The Importance of Truth and Honesty in Relationships
• (30:40) - The Challenges of Parenting Neurodivergent Children
• (35:02) - The Power of Emotional Intelligence and Understanding
• (43:23) - The Future of Education and Leadership

Today we're excited to share an episode from De Facto Leaders, hosted by Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan.

Karen announces the release of her new compression course, “The School Leader’s Guide to Executive Functioning Support.”

You can learn more about the course here: https://drkarenspeech.lpages.co/school-leaders-guide-to-executive-functioning-support/

In this session, Karen shares why she created this program, what parents and professionals have shared with her when she talks about executive functioning, and how she approaches educating professionals about this important and relevant topic.

Imagine a school where:

✅ Students are better equipped to handle challenges and setbacks

✅ Teachers spend less time managing behavior and more time on meaningful instruction

✅ Academic performance improves across the board

✅ Your team feels empowered and supported, rather than overwhelmed by another initiative

Introducing: The School Leader's Guide to Executive Functioning Support

After years of developing frameworks to support these essential cognitive skills and helping professionals implement them in their own schools, I've created a comprehensive guide specifically for school leaders like you.

Listen to De Facto Leaders on the Be Podcast Network: https://defactoleaders.com/

In this episode, originally published on Transformative Principal, Jethro Jones introduces a special conversation between Dr. Erin Bailey, Vice President of Literacy Programs and Research at Reading is Fundamental, and Barb Solish, the NAMI National Director of Innovation. They discuss the partnership between Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), supported by Macy's, to provide books and mental health resources to children nationwide.

The conversation dives into the youth mental health crisis, the literacy crisis, and how these two organizations are working together to support children's mental and emotional well-being through literacy and other resources.

• NAMI and RIF joining together with the support of Macy’s
• Being next to someone is powerful
• Name it to tame it.
• Identifying emotions for kids is powerful
• Literacy for skills in both areas.
• The power of a mother reading aloud to her children.
• NICU mothers reading aloud to kids every day lowered rates of post-partum depression and stress.
• Routine and trust are built together.
• Early intervention
• The Presence and the connection is what really matters.

Listen to more from Transformative Principal: https://transformativeprincipal.org

• (00:00) - TP RIF & NAMI Episode
• (00:34) - Intro
• (29:19) - Jethro's final outtro