Join Lori Boll and Social Thinking founder Michelle Garcia Winner as they dive into the How to Solve Problems Before They Become Problems framework—an easy-to-use think sheet that guides students to identify challenges, explore multiple choices, anticipate what happens next, and manage anxiety.
This conversation offers practical strategies for teachers, counselors, and parents to build flexible thinking and strengthen executive functioning.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and SENIA members can also watch the video on Mighty Networks. Either way, you can access the template and start using this strategy right away.
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Resources From Today’s Show:
Today we’re joined by Zachary Berezowski, Director of Student Support Services at The KAUST School in Saudi Arabia, a proud SENIA Member School. With over 16 years in education, Zach is a passionate advocate for inclusive practices and student-centered learning. At KAUST, he leads the school’s commitment to “finding the yes”, partnering with families and staff to ensure every student has a pathway to belonging and success. Located on the Red Sea within the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology community, KAUST serves nearly 2,000 students from more than 70 nationalities and offers the full IB continuum. With its vibrant diversity and focus on inclusion, KAUST stands as a model of personalized learning and cultural connection.
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Website: The KAUST School
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Resources From Today’s Show:
Welcome to the Inclusion Spotlight Series on the SENIA Happy Hour Podcast. In this series, we showcase SENIA member schools and their inclusive practices—sharing successes, challenges, and strategies with MTSS, UDL, and student support. Our aim is to celebrate schools, build collective knowledge, and inspire inclusion at every stage of the journey.Today’s guest is **Laura Austin**, Head of Inclusion at Osaka YMCA International School in Japan. With over 30 years of experience in education across four continents, Laura brings a global perspective to creating inclusive schools. At her small IB school in Osaka, she leads efforts to ensure every student has equal access to learning—using Universal Design for Learning, multi-tiered systems of support, and creative small-school solutions.
Connect:
Website: Osaka YMCA International School
Laura’s LinkedInResources From Today’s Show:
In this episode of the SENIA Happy Hour, Lori Boll sits down with Matthew Savage, architect of The Mona Lisa Effect®, to explore what true belonging looks like in schools. Together they discuss the barriers, both visible and invisible, that exclude students, the hidden exhaustion of camouflaging, and why schools are only as inclusive as the experience of their least included member. This honest and inspiring conversation challenges us to rethink inclusion and reminds us that every learner deserves to be seen, heard, known, and to belong.
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Martian in the Playground
Pretending to Be Normal
Note: Both of these books reference the term “Asperger’s Syndrome,” which is no longer in use. Current language reflects our growing understanding of autism and neurodivergence.
Resources From Today’s Show:
In this episode, host Lori Boll welcomes back Leah Kuypers, creator of The Zones of Regulation, for a deeper dive into her groundbreaking framework. Leah shares how the Zones have evolved, the impact of their new digital version, and how they align with inclusive, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. Together, they explore the power of co-regulation, offer practical tips for general ed classrooms—and even dream up a Zones-inspired mocktail. Tune in for insights, inspiration, and a sneak peek at an exciting 2026 collaboration!
For the past five years, the SENIA Happy Hour Podcast has been a platform for powerful stories—stories from global experts, passionate parent and student advocates, and most importantly, individuals with disabilities. Each conversation has brought us closer to SENIA International’s mission of creating truly inclusive learning environments around the world. These voices have sparked change, challenged long-held assumptions, and reminded us that meaningful inclusion starts by listening.
To help us celebrate our 100th episode, we’re joined by someone who helped shape the very foundation of SENIA: Tanya Farrol.
A founding member and now SENIA’s Chairperson, Tanya has dedicated over two decades to inclusive education in international schools across Haiti, Egypt, England, China, and now Nanjing. She has hosted SENIA conferences, supported our Scholarships and Awards program, and helped guide SENIA-Beijing for more than a decade.
In this special episode, Tanya shares the story of SENIA’s beginnings, reflects on the journey so far, and offers her vision for the future of inclusion worldwide. From Canada to Nanjing and beyond, her unwavering dedication continues to inspire our community.
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In today's episode, host Lori Boll speaks with Vanessa Vanek—a fiber and digital media artist, international educator, and proud disabled woman—on the SENIA Happy Hour Podcast.
Vanessa shares how her lived experience with Spina Bifida has shaped both her art and her teaching. From Kansas to Shanghai, her story is a powerful reminder that beauty doesn’t live in society’s view of perfection—it lives in authenticity, vulnerability, and bold creative expression.
We talk about:
How art can challenge ideas of beauty and normalcy
What it’s like teaching across cultures as a disabled educator
Why inclusive classrooms need representation in every brushstroke
Practical tips for teachers who want to bring disability inclusion into the art room
You don’t want to miss this one. Tune in and be inspired.
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Resources From Today’s Show:
Overview:On this episode of the SENIA Happy Hour podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with Maymouna Sakho and Dr. MaryAnn DeRosa about their collaborative project "From the Margins, For the Margins." These two passionate educators share their personal journeys and how their experiences have shaped their approach to inclusive education. Maymouna and MaryAnn discuss the importance of developing a mindset that celebrates neurodiversity and different ways of learning, rather than viewing students as problems to be fixed. They explain how their monthly meetups exemplify their strategy of distilling mindset, knowledge, and practice into accessible steps for educators. The conversation highlights their unique approach to professional development in inclusive education, emphasizing joy, practical strategies, and the power of building a supportive learning community. Listeners will gain insights into how these educators are working to transform learning support practices in international schools and beyond, with a focus on student agency and dignity for all learners.
Connect
Email: adjam.sakho@gmail.com & mas.derosa@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Maymouna
LinkedIn: Dr. DeRosa
Website: Sakho Learning Consultancy
Resources From Today’s Show:
Book: Culturally Responsive Teaching
Overview:
In today’s podcast host Lori Boll interviews Jeff Sisk, Senior Manager of Assistive Technology Services (ATS) in Fairfax County Public Schools, who is also a presenter, author, and adjunct faculty at George Mason University. Jeff and Lori discuss Assistive Technology- it’s definition, common misconceptions, and the process his district utilizes to best match AT to a student’s needs. Jeff emphasizes the transformative power of assistive technology in leveling the educational playing field for students with diverse learning needs. He also highlights the importance of universal design for learning and the integration of AT tools in modern classrooms.
Connect
Email: Jeff.Sisk@fcps.edu
Website: Assistive Technology Services, Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia
Resources from Today’s Show
AT Ambassadors, Fairfax County
On this episode, host Lori Boll speaks with Alexandra “Zandy” Wong who shared her personal journey with hearing loss and her mission to make the digital world more accessible. Zanday’s experience inspired her to found the NextGen Accessibility Initiative, which has reached over 200,000 youth across 119 countries. She discussed key aspects of digital accessibility, including proper captioning, alt text for images, and color contrast considerations. Currently pursuing a master's in Applied Digital Health at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, Zandy outlined her vision for a fully accessible digital world, emphasizing the need for inherently accessible platforms, cultural shifts in perceiving disability, and ensuring assistive technologies are available to all.
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Overview:
Today host Lori Boll speaks with educator and author Kwame Sarfo-Mensah about his recently published book "Learning to Relearn" which is a call for unlearning and relearning, encouraging teachers to continually evolve their practices to meet the diverse needs of their students. Kwame tells us his inspiration behind writing the book as well as how we can all become better educators by celebrating the intersectionality of our students. You won’t want to miss this episode!
Connect
Email: kwamesarfomensah@gmail.com
Website: Identity Talk
Twitter- @identityshaper
Resources From Today’s Show:
Overview:
Jamie Shields is a vibrant advocate for disability rights, known for his engaging personality and insightful perspectives. In our recent podcast episode, Jamie shared his journey as a registered blind individual, emphasizing the importance of self-identification and the nuances of language within the disability community.
We also explored his organization, "Disabled by Society," which highlights the societal barriers that truly disable individuals rather than focusing solely on their disabilities. Jamie's colorful branding reflects his belief in breaking down these barriers and promoting open dialogue about disability. This episode serves as a warm-up for his upcoming keynote at our virtual conference, providing listeners with a taste of his wisdom and a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding disability in society.
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In this episode of the SENIA Happy Hour podcast, host Lori Boll chats with Trisha Friedman, a seasoned educator with international experience and the founder of allied.org about the fascinating role of algorithms in our daily lives. Trisha shares her global experiences and insights on how algorithms shape our interactions, particularly in education and social media.
They discuss the importance of understanding algorithms in relation to information literacy and DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice) work. Trisha emphasizes the need for nuanced conversations about technology, encouraging listeners to explore how algorithms influence our identities and relationships.
This engaging discussion reveals the complexities of algorithmic systems and their impact on society, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and education!
As a bonus, Trisha will be a keynote speaker at SENIA Unplugged: Inclusive Insights virtual conference in November.
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From Today’s Show:
The Shame Machine: Who Profits in the New Age of Humiliation, by Cathy O’Neil
Wrong - by Dannagal Goldthwaite Young
Filter World: How Algorithms Flattened Culture, by Kyle Chayka
Algorithms and taste-making: Exposing the Netfilx Recommender System’s operational logics
Chatbots can persuade conspiracy theorists their view might be wrong
Overview:
On today’s podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with Kevin Schaefer who is currently the Director of Inclusive Practices/Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP) project through the El Dorado County Office of Education Sacramento, California. In this role, Kevin works to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities through the provision of high-quality leadership and support to the County and throughout the state. Lori and Kevin discuss barriers to inclusion for students with disabilities, and how his organization works with schools to shift culture and mindsets to support meaningful inclusion.
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Resources From Today’s Show:
On today’s podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with Sybil Hall about the important topic of Teacher Burnout. Sybil recently published Burn Bright, Not Out: 35 Lessons that Cultivate Teacher Well Being. Lori and Sybil discuss why this is such an important topic, especially in 2024 and some ways to support our own well-being. As we are all starting the new school year, you won’t want to miss this podcast!
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Resources From Today’s Show:
Today host Lori Boll is joined by renowned Universal Design for Learning expert, Dr. Loui Lord Nelson. Loui is an internationally recognized leader in UDL implementation. She wrote her bestselling book "Design and Deliver: Planning and Teaching Using Universal Design for Learning" while completing her UDL post-doctoral fellowship at CAST, the creators of the UDL framework. She has two other books on UDL, a card game, and hosts the popular "UDL in 15 Minutes" podcast listened to globally. In this episode, she'll provide an overview of UDL's core principles, share examples of culturally responsive practices that benefit English learners, discuss the inspiration behind her books, and offer advice for schools beginning their UDL journey, We're excited to tap into Dr. Nelson's invaluable expertise around this transformative teaching approach.
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Resources From Today’s Show:
On today’s podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with Maya Chupkov, host of The Proud Stutter podcast. Maya is a stuttering advocate and community organizer. As a woman who stutters, she is working to shift societal norms around stuttering and the disability community. Lori and Maya discuss Maya’s schooling experience, how teachers can make a better environment for their students who stutter, and all about an exciting documentary Maya is currently working on. It’s going to be a movie none of us will want to miss.
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Resources From Today’s Show:
Support Proud Stutter’s Documentary- Rock of Hope
On today’s podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with Katie Fowle and Sharoya Ham, authors of the #1 Bestselling book, Help! My Kid Won’t Go to School: Finding Hope on a Bad Day. Katie shares her experiences with her daughter who experienced school refusal and both Katie and Sharoys explain why school refusal happens, and some steps parents and teachers can take in understanding and supporting their children or students.
On today's podcast, host Lori Boll speaks with Heidi Mermis-Cava, the Director of Student Support Services at the Shanghai American School. Heidi recently presented at the in-person SENIA conference in Vietnam, where she received overwhelmingly positive feedback for her work.
Heidi shares some of her expertise on distinguishing between English as an Additional Language (EAL), Specific Learning Disabilities, and Language Impairments. This provides a valuable preview of the more comprehensive information she will be sharing at the upcoming SENIA virtual conference. Be sure to join us at the conference to learn even more from Heidi.
