How One Director Achieved 100% Graduation for Students with Disabilities - Ada Pineiro

How One Director Achieved 100% Graduation for Students with Disabilities - Ada Pineiro

Ada Pineiro, Special Education Director at Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy, has built a program where 100% of special education students graduate with regular diplomas—a remarkable achievement in a high-poverty, high-crime community serving 90-95% African American students. In this episode, Ada reveals how intentional accessibility, community partnerships, and collaborative leadership created an environment where special education students succeed at the same rate as general education peers. Discover the concrete career pathways, parent engagement strategies, and team-based philosophy that transformed outcomes for students with disabilities.

Stop Competing: How One ESC Built a District Collaboration Model That Works - Dr. Kelly Moran & Nancy Santilli

When districts stop viewing each other as competitors and start pooling resources through an Educational Service Center, transformation happens—especially for students who've fallen through the cracks. Nancy Santilli and Kelly Moran from the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve share how Gateway High School emerged from collaborative problem-solving, pairing rigorous academics with equine therapy, art, and music interventions to reach struggling high school students in ways traditional settings cannot.

Stop Sending Kids to Graduation With No Plan - John Ischy

Many special education students graduate without a post-secondary career plan, leaving them unprepared for independence and employment. John Ischy, an intervention specialist at Switzerland of Ohio Local School District, shares how intentional transition planning, hands-on career exploration through the PAYS Lab, and virtual reality job simulation transform student outcomes—moving from "no plan" to meaningful, sustainable employment. Discover why career-focused transition planning starting in middle school matters more than traditional academic metrics for older students.

The Unicorn Program: How One District Built Specialty Special Ed at Scale - Mary Masciovecchio

Mary Masciovecchio, Director of Special Education at Berrien Springs Public Schools, reveals how a small Michigan district built and scaled exceptional specialty programs—from a 60-year-old Deaf and Hard of Hearing initiative to a unique preschool combining SLP and teacher expertise. Discover how managing 28 alternative education centers across Michigan while maintaining deep student impact requires delegating wisely, investing in staff development, and staying relentlessly focused on least restrictive environment principles.

The Thrift Shop That Changed How We Teach Work - Sandy Morrill

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Sandy Morrill, the transition coordinator at Shelton School District in Connecticut. Sandy shares the inspiring journey of launching a unique thrift shop, The Thrifty Gale, that serves dual populations: students with special needs and fellow classmates seeking affordable clothing options. We explore how this initiative not only provides invaluable vocational training for the students but also fosters community engagement and inclusivity. Sandy discusses the challenges faced in creating this program, from finding a suitable space to ensuring it meets the needs of all students. Tune in to discover how The Thrifty Gale is transforming lives and changing perceptions about thrift shopping in schools, all while equipping students with essential life skills for their future.