In the final episode of our ‘Three Cs’ mini-series, we explore the role of compassion in creating classrooms where all students feel seen, supported, and capable of thriving. In this back-to-school conversation, we share personal insights, real experiences, and practical ways educators can weave compassion into expectations, routines, and relationships from day one. The best part of this episode is hearing my daughter share about navigating high school after trauma and how teachers helped or hindered her pathway to graduation.

In this episode, we get real about COMPLIANCE in special education — why it’s not just paperwork but a vital system that protects both students and educators. Ashley shares candid stories of early mistakes, practical tips for creating reliable systems, and how checklists can be your best friend. You’ll learn to avoid common compliance traps and how to handle inevitable slip-ups with grace and accountability. Plus, discover how fostering a culture of support and peer-checking can make compliance less stressful and more empowering.

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Tune in for practical tools, a little humor, and a whole lot of encouragement.

🎧 Episode Overview:

This bonus segment is just for you, school leaders and administrators. Whether you’re overseeing a building or supporting multiple campuses, you play a critical role in making co-teaching work—not just on paper, but in practice.

We’re unpacking real-world leadership strategies that support sustainable, high-impact co-teaching partnerships. These are not the vague “support your teachers” tips—we’re talking specific systems, schedules, and supports that foster trust, role clarity, and results.

PLUS, we share one of our favorite low-lift, high-impact tools: using QR codes to conduct quick, meaningful fidelity checks in co-taught classrooms. Imagine a walk-through where you can scan a code, select a few indicators, and have instant data at your fingertips. Ashmont Learning Collective will be releasing a plug-and-play version of this tool on social media soon, so you can bring this idea to life without having to build it from scratch.

What is co-teaching really — and why does it matter so much for inclusive education? In this episode, Ashley unpacks the first “C” in our inclusive practice series: Co-Teaching. We’ll explore what co-teaching is (and isn’t), clarify legal roles under IDEA, and break down the six evidence-based models that make co-teaching effective. From tech tools to use when you can’t plan together in person, to admin strategies that build successful co-teaching systems, this episode offers practical insights for every educator and leader working toward more inclusive classrooms.

A special mini-podcast will launch this week just for administrators! There was just too much to pack into one episode!

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How do we design classrooms that work for every learner—even before we know who’s on our roster?

In this episode, Ashley breaks down the foundations of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how small, proactive shifts can lead to big wins for inclusion. You’ll learn:

• What UDL is—and why it matters
• The 3 core principles that guide flexible lesson design
• Real-life classroom examples across subjects
• Myths about UDL (and what’s actually true)
• 3 easy ways to start using UDL this week

🎧 Whether you’re new to UDL or ready to deepen your practice, this episode will leave you feeling clear, confident, and ready to plan for all students.

🔗 Resources:
Ashmont Learning Collective – ashmontlearningco.com
CAST (UDL Framework + Tools) – cast.org