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Coherence in Action: Building Inclusive Systems Through ESU 3’s Inclusive Practices Academy
Inclusive education doesn’t happen by accident—it takes intentional systems, shared mindsets, and sustained collaboration.
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton is joined by Allison Kelberlau (Assistant Director of Student Services, ESU 3), Eileen Heller (Education Consultant, Professional Learning, ESU 3), and Jill Guenther (Nebraska MTSS Regional Support Lead, Region 2) to unpack the story and impact of ESU 3’s Inclusive Practices Academy (IPA).
The conversation traces the origins of the IPA from statewide coherence efforts led by the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Special Education, through its design and implementation, and into what the work looks like now in year two. Together, the group explores how mindset, systems and structures, and instructional practices intersect to support meaningful inclusion for students with disabilities—and how ESUs can model the very collaboration they hope to see in schools.
Listeners will hear how the academy brings general education teachers, special educators, related service providers, and building leaders together around:
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a foundational framework
- Co-planning and co-teaching as levers for inclusive practice
- Data-informed decision-making tied directly to classroom instruction
- Action planning that bridges professional learning and daily practice
- The critical role of building leadership in sustaining inclusive systems
The episode also highlights what the ESU 3 team learned themselves through cross-department collaboration—and why inclusive professional learning must be designed with the same care and flexibility we expect in classrooms.
Whether you work in a service agency, district leadership role, or classroom, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical entry points for advancing inclusive education—starting wherever you are.
- Nebraska Department of Education – Journey to Inclusion
- Statewide initiative focused on inclusive practices, coherence, and systems of support for students with disabilities.
- https://www.education.ne.gov/sped/journey-to-inclusion/
- Novak Education
- Professional learning and resources led by Katie Novak, supporting the practical application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
- https://www.novakeducation.com/
- CAST – Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines
- Foundational framework and guidelines for designing instruction that meets the needs of all learners.
- https://www.cast.org/what-we-do/universal-design-for-learning/
- Educational Service Unit 3 (ESU 3)
- Learn more about ESU 3 and the systems-level support they provide to districts across eastern Nebraska.
- https://www.esu3.org/
- Nebraska MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports)
- Statewide MTSS framework and resources supporting academic, behavioral, and social-emotional learning.
- https://nemtss.unl.edu/
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By Andrew Easton
5
1919 ratings
Inclusive education doesn’t happen by accident—it takes intentional systems, shared mindsets, and sustained collaboration.
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton is joined by Allison Kelberlau (Assistant Director of Student Services, ESU 3), Eileen Heller (Education Consultant, Professional Learning, ESU 3), and Jill Guenther (Nebraska MTSS Regional Support Lead, Region 2) to unpack the story and impact of ESU 3’s Inclusive Practices Academy (IPA).
The conversation traces the origins of the IPA from statewide coherence efforts led by the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Special Education, through its design and implementation, and into what the work looks like now in year two. Together, the group explores how mindset, systems and structures, and instructional practices intersect to support meaningful inclusion for students with disabilities—and how ESUs can model the very collaboration they hope to see in schools.
Listeners will hear how the academy brings general education teachers, special educators, related service providers, and building leaders together around:
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a foundational framework
- Co-planning and co-teaching as levers for inclusive practice
- Data-informed decision-making tied directly to classroom instruction
- Action planning that bridges professional learning and daily practice
- The critical role of building leadership in sustaining inclusive systems
The episode also highlights what the ESU 3 team learned themselves through cross-department collaboration—and why inclusive professional learning must be designed with the same care and flexibility we expect in classrooms.
Whether you work in a service agency, district leadership role, or classroom, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical entry points for advancing inclusive education—starting wherever you are.
- Nebraska Department of Education – Journey to Inclusion
- Statewide initiative focused on inclusive practices, coherence, and systems of support for students with disabilities.
- https://www.education.ne.gov/sped/journey-to-inclusion/
- Novak Education
- Professional learning and resources led by Katie Novak, supporting the practical application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
- https://www.novakeducation.com/
- CAST – Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines
- Foundational framework and guidelines for designing instruction that meets the needs of all learners.
- https://www.cast.org/what-we-do/universal-design-for-learning/
- Educational Service Unit 3 (ESU 3)
- Learn more about ESU 3 and the systems-level support they provide to districts across eastern Nebraska.
- https://www.esu3.org/
- Nebraska MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports)
- Statewide MTSS framework and resources supporting academic, behavioral, and social-emotional learning.
- https://nemtss.unl.edu/