Joyful Inclusion Schools

Where ALL learners flourish and teachers love teaching!

  • Year 1: Collaborative Teaching and Co-Teaching

    Enhance cross-faculty collaboration and empower special educators as co-designers in the classroom.

    Key competencies:

    • Collaborative parity

    • 7 Co-teaching structures

    • Disability awareness

    • Scaffolding strategies

    • Student engagement strategies

    • Data-based flexible grouping

    • Stakeholder roles in inclusion

  • Year 2: Specially Designed Instruction

    Design individualized evidence-based practices for “riddle students” and empower youth self-efficacy.

    Key competencies:

    • Students’ driving need

    • High leverage practices

    • Lesson struggle points

    • Individualized interventions

    • Youth self-efficacy & monitoring

    • Student led IEPs

    • Family engagement

  • Year 3: Inclusive School Communities

    Expand sustainable inclusive practice into equity and belonging for ALL students with inquiry-based action.

    Key competencies:

    • Learner self-efficacy

    • Professional collective efficacy

    • Universal design for learning

    • Implementation science

    • Equity & inclusion

    • Family partnerships

    • Expert learners

Click here to download the Joyful Inclusion Packages PDF now!

Combine SEVEN Special Education specialties into ONE sequential system!

  1. Collaboration & co-teaching

  2. Instructional & assessment strategies (SDI, HLP, EBP)

  3. Transition planning

  4. Learner engagement & agency

  5. Family engagement & partnerships

  6. IEP goal writing & progress monitoring

  7. UDL & equity

Each Package Includes:

  • Online video modules

  • Downloadable teacher journals with tools & resource links

  • Facilitator guides

  • Principal’s guide

  • Data collection & evaluation tools

  • Monthly leaders strategy call

3 Implementation Models

District Inclusion Coach

A district employee is designated as Inclusion Coach. Sometimes, also serves as a special education specialist or as an instructional, literacy or math coach.

    • Determined by the district with recommendations from IFC

    • Structured PD modules for full faculty

    • Online Inclusion Coach courses

    • Monthly private coaching calls

    • Evaluation tools & tutorials

    • District Coach (DC) knows district policies, procedures, and key personnel

    • DC may be available for unscheduled drop-in coaching

    • DC may have competing time priorities

    • DC may not have “outside expert” credibility

    • DC may hesitate to voice concerns to a “boss”

IFC Inclusion Coach

IFC provides an Inclusion Coach who directly supports teachers during PLC meetings and classroom visits for encouragement & feedback.

    • IFC screened, prepared with ongoing coaching

    • Member of IFC Inclusion Coach Team

    • Structured PD modules for full faculty

    • Online courses

    • Monthly cohort calls

    • Summer retreat for IFC Coaches

    • IFC Coach facilitates evaluation activities

    • Increased accountability as “outside expert”

    • IFC Coach coordinates directly with Principal

    • IFC Coaching days are focused & structured

    • More funding sources for external resources

    • Must create new relationships

    • Needs orientation to local policies & procedures

    • Has limited face-to-face availability

Train the Trainer Coach

IFC provides an Inclusion Coach who serves a dual role: a) supporting school leaders and teachers and b) mentoring District Coaches to build local capacity.

    • District Coach - determined by the district

    • IFC Coach - determined by IFC

    • Structured PD modules for full faculty

    • Online Inclusion Coach courses for both coaches

    • Monthly cohort coaching calls for both coaches

    • Summer retreat for both coaches

    • IFC Coach implements evaluation tools & mentors District Coach.

    • Best of both options!

    • DC can orient IFC Coach

    • IFC Coach will mentor District Coach

    • Builds district capacity for sustainability

    • Both Coaches coordinate with Principal

    • More expensive in the short term

 

Peek inside the Program

Watch our short animated video on the collaborative teaching structures in our Year 1 package

 

 FAQs

  • The cost depends on the number of schools with a site license, the Inclusion Coach option that you select, and whether you opt in to other support options (like having Amy present at your Joyful Inclusion Launch). We’ll tailor your package to fit your needs!

  • Yes and no… Most school districts can only make financial commitments one year at a time. We’re used to that. But if teachers believe this is a one year commitment, you may have less buy-in than if you communicate that this is a multi-year initiative, aimed at updating and sustaining your inclusive service delivery system.

  • Yes. Most districts commit to the first year with the intention of continuing as long as it meets the needs of their teachers and student body. Remember that leadership commitment has a huge influence on teacher motivation to adopt new approaches.

  • Teachers will need Inclusion Coaching to support their improved practice. There are three options for Inclusion Coaches:

    Option A: The school or district appoints an Inclusion Coach. This could be a new hire or an existing coach (literacy, math, instructional) who adds new competencies and responsibilities.

    Option B: Inclusion Focused Coaching provides an Inclusion Coach. Our team included experienced special education professionals, committed to supporting your teachers’ and leaders’ professional growth.

    Option C: Inclusion Focused Coaching provides an Inclusion Coach to mentor the school/ district Inclusion Coach(es). This option combines options A & B to support your teachers & leaders now AND build capacity of your coach(es).

    Let’s talk about the best option for you.

  • Yes! Here’s a template for a job description you can use in recruiting your Inclusion Coach. Download it and adapt it to fit your local situation.

  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 specifies the requirements for provision of services for students with disabilities; the Joyful Inclusion packages will not solve the national teacher shortage. These packages are designed to provide sequential professional learning opportunities for your special and general education teachers (and paraprofessionals), aimed at improving their teaching effectiveness. Teachers who experience the rewards of gains in student learning are more likely to stay in the profession, and teachers are more likely to accept positions in districts that have professional growth support systems.

  • The 3 year sequence of courses is designed to expand the skills of Inclusion Coaches as they implement the 3 year sequence of Joyful Inclusion. Each intensive course includes online video tutorials, 8 professional books, and monthly coaching calls. Inclusion Coaches who submit evidence of implementation will earn Inclusion Coach Certificates.

    Year 1: Inclusion Coach Breakthrough Course

    • Coaching vs leadership

    • Empowerment coaching

    • Promoting trust

    • Building Self-efficacy

    • Capacity building

    • Systems change

    Year 2: Inclusion Coach Mastery Course

    • Engaging PD

    • Special education data

    • Brain-based teaching

    • Measuring professional growth

    • Family engagement

    • Team building

    Year 3: Inclusion Coach for Universal Access

    • Infinite game

    • Improvement science

    • Universal design for learning

    • Educational equity

    • Expert learners

    • Family partnerships

School Leader's Inclusion Index

Take 10 minutes and find out where you stand!