Today, our guest is Morgan Larche, the Director of Unified Schools at Special Olympics Washington. We talk to Morgan about Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools and the incredible work that these schools do by focusing on three connected components: Unified sports, whole school engagement, and inclusive youth leadership. Morgan explains how these strategies are more of a mindset than a program, and how they bring together students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them see each other as equals, friends, and teammates. She also shares how students and schools can get involved with Special Olympics in their state, school, and community right now.

Morgan Larche graduated from Eastern Washington University with a BA in Therapeutic Recreation. She has worked in a variety of Parks and Recreation programs that provided inclusive and Special Olympics programs to people with intellectual and physical disabilities. In 2013 she was hired by Special Olympics Washington and currently serves as the Director of Unified Schools, where she supports and builds inclusive school communities through clubs, leadership, and sports.