Feb 13 2025 44 mins
“We recognize that there's a problem. We are losing teachers every day, our funding, our budgets. We cannot rely solely on teachers to advocate for themselves. We need to be the community members who stand up and advocate for our teachers, advocate for our schools, and advocate for our kids. Our community relies on all of us to come together for the greater good.” —Larkin O’Leary
Education has the power to shape the future, yet our current system often falls short of its transformative promise. Outdated practices and a lack of support for teachers and students are holding them back from reaching their full potential. It's time to completely rethink education and put inclusive, flexible, and student-focused approaches at the forefront.
Larkin O’Leary is the founder of Common Ground Society and an advocate for inclusive education. Her personal journey of raising a child with Down syndrome has fueled her mission to create a more empowering and supportive world for individuals with diverse needs.
Tune in as Heather and Larkin dive deep into the major issues plaguing our education system, the game-changing power of Universal Design for Learning, and the crucial role of community support for teachers and students. You won't want to miss this one!
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Episode Highlights:
01:35 What is Common Ground Society?
06:29 The Universal Design for Learning
14:32 Challenges in the School System
17:34 Future of Education and Specialty Schools
26:46 The Impact of Trauma
27:30 Inclusion and Mindset Shift
42:25 Advocacy and Community Support
Resources:
Podcast
Life Conversations With a Twist: My Why Behind Starting A Nonprofit with Larkin O'leary