Last week, I was excited to be back in a schoolhouse. It was my first chance since February, 2020 – that’s 20 months!

Sure, during that time I’ve talked with many school leaders and Inclusion Coaches with school settings visible in their backgrounds, but that’s not the same thing.

I felt a rush of gratitude to see teachers in motion – freed from their stationary position in front of a camera.

Why was I there?

When I saw the challenge “Return to school, but not to normal” on social media today, I started pondering how we can create an amazing experience for special needs families.

So much has changed in the 18 months since the pandemic forced school closures across the country. What has happened to them? What do they need now? What would be better than “normal”?

Do you know what I’m asking here? Have you ever set a goal for yourself or taken on a particularly challenging project and felt that what was at stake was much more important than the goal?

I was listening to a podcast by Jordan Peterson yesterday in which he mentioned this ironic phenomenon, and I can’t stop thinking about it. The more I ponder, the more possibilities I see for our work as teachers, parents, and human beings who want to keep growing.

We are at a pivotal moment in the world. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act  was signed into law on March 11, 2021. It will distribute $123 billion in additional educational funding between now and 2023 for implementation of Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA). In addition, the ARP includes another $3 billion for additional support through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). That’s a LOT of funding!!

I haven’t written a newsblog in nearly two months. I’ve been focused on my BIG new project. I’m tickled pink that it launched on May 12, 2021!

I’m so excited to announce that the Included by Design Mastermind Website has been published!

Let me begin by saying that teachers are my heroes (in case you didn’t already know that). Over the last year, they have repeatedly demonstrated their resilience, tenacity, and determination.

For more than two decades, I’ve provided professional development and coaching support to teachers to expand their effectiveness with learner engagement in face-to-face environments. As a former special ed teacher and professor, I’m steeped in evidence-based and research-based practices.

As 2020 winds down, it’s natural to look back over a tumultuous year and look forward with hope.

Whether your school is open, operating remotely, or some sort of hybrid, one thing is certain: there’s lots of confusion. Your school leader’s job is to blaze a trail where we haven’t gone before.