Think Inclusive Podcast

About The Guest(s): Valerie Williams is the Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education. She is passionate about early childhood inclusion and ensuring that all children have access to quality education.Summary: Valerie Williams, Director of OSEP, discusses the importance of inclusion in early childhood education. She shares a personal story about finding the right preschool for her son with Down syndrome and highlights the need for a mindset shift among educators and administrators. Valerie emphasizes the importance of providing resources and technical assistance to support inclusive practices. She also discusses the current state of inclusive education in different states and the need for implementation and accountability.Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/aHwtuZFhIyncVjkeHBdVS1Yk-ZcKey Takeaways:Inclusion starts early and should continue throughout a child's education.The mindset of educators and administrators plays a significant role in promoting inclusion.