More and more Christian schools are realizing what’s possible when they step beyond fear and lean into inclusion. In this episode, Teacher Consultant Jenna Zemaitis shares the shift she’s seeing in schools—moving from "we don’t do that here" to "we can do this." Jenna also talks about practical strategies for building true belonging, the role of paraprofessionals in supporting (but not isolating) students, and how school communities can move past hesitation to create learning environments whe...
Mar 28, 2025
37 min
In this episode of The All Belong Podcast, teacher consultant Katie Kiser shares her insights on building collaboration between schools and families, supporting students with autism, and creating peer-to-peer support systems in middle and high schools. Katie draws from her experiences as both an educator and consultant, offering practical strategies and real-life success stories that demonstrate the power of inclusion in Christ-centered schools. She reminds us that inclusive education is poss...
Mar 21, 2025
34 min
In this episode of The All Belong Podcast, teacher consultant Jeany Aupperlee shares her insights on understanding student behavior, using data to guide instruction, and fostering inclusive classrooms. Jeany reflects on her journey in inclusive education and how she helps schools navigate common challenges, from managing classroom behaviors to supporting students with different learning needs. She also highlights the importance of collaboration—reminding educators that they don’t have to do t...
Mar 14, 2025
26 min
In this episode of The All Belong Podcast, teacher consultant Lisa Dekker shares her passion for social inclusion and how schools can intentionally foster authentic relationships among students. Lisa discusses the shifting needs she’s seeing in schools—moving from academic interventions to a greater focus on behavior and social connection—and how tools like Circle of Friends help create spaces where every student belongs. She also addresses common concerns about discussing disabilities in the...
Mar 7, 2025
30 min
In this episode of The All Belong Podcast—part of The Belonging Classroom Series—teacher consultant Tyler Harms shares his experiences working with schools to create spaces of true belonging. Tyler discusses practical strategies that help students with learning differences thrive, from memory-boosting classroom activities to schoolwide technology tools that level the playing field. He also walks through All Belong’s See, Think, Do approach, which helps educators move from observation to actio...
Feb 28, 2025
21 min
Welcome to The All Belong Podcast! This season, we’re launching The Belonging Classroom Series, a special mini-series designed to equip and encourage educators in creating truly inclusive, Christ-centered classrooms. In this episode, host Janelle Sievert sits down with Liz Fox, a regional teacher consultant at All Belong, to explore what it truly means to create inclusive, Christ-centered classrooms. Liz shares her journey into inclusive education, insights from her work with member schools, ...
Feb 21, 2025
22 min
In this episode of the All Belong Podcast, Elizabeth Lucas Dombrowski interviews Rick Kempton, who is the Head of School at Annapolis Area Christian in the DC Metro area, digging a little deeper into his chapter of Leading Insights: Special Education and Inclusion. Rick has served Annapolis Area Christian for 10 years, and prior to serving there, he worked in both public and Christian education in Southern California for over two decades. He has also been a long-time board member of the...
May 31, 2022
27 min
In this episode of The All Belong Podcast, we talk with Dr. Matthew H. Lee, who is the Director of Research for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Dr. Lee is another co-author of Leading Insights: Special Education and Inclusion, published by ACSI, and one chapter he wrote is entitled “The Parent Perspective.” His authentic, faith-filled story and his remarkable expertise brought us another thought-provoking, challenging, and encouraging conversation. Read more o...
Apr 29, 2022
36 min
In this episode of The All Belong Podcast, we dive into the research and practice portions of Leading Insights: Special Education and Inclusion, that support the work of inclusive and special education in Christian schools. Dr. Kate Strater, researcher and assistant professor of special education at Calvin University, and Elizabeth Lucas Dombrowski, executive director of All Belong, discuss what it means to make inclusive education an identity marker of a Christian school, instead of on...
Mar 31, 2022
24 min
In this episode of The All Belong Podcast, we begin to explore the first part of Leading Insights: Special Education and Inclusion: the theology, philosophy, and research that supports the work of inclusive and special education in Christian schools. Elizabeth Lucas Dombrowski, executive director of All Belong, and Samantha Gossard Dykstra, All Belong’s communications project manager, host guest, Dr. Thomas Boehm -- another contributing author of Leading Insights: Special Education and Inclus...
Feb 28, 2022
37 min
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