Creating Truly Inclusive Schools: Insights from Jennifer Spencer‑Iiams

Jennifer Spencer‑Iiams — Assistant Superintendent for the West Linn–Wilsonville School District (Greater Portland, OR). She co‑authored Leading for All: How to Create Truly Inclusive and Excellent Schools with Josh Flosi, and led districtwide transformation toward inclusive practices. In this episode, Jennifer Spencer‑Iiams shares how her district shifted from segregated models to inclusive schools by focusing on better instruction for all learners, cultivating inclusive culture, and elevating student voice. She walks through concrete goals (neighborhood schools, co‑curricular participation, student‑led IEPs), the systems that kept momentum (weekly “Monday message,” measurable data), and stories—from a graduate’s “once they let me out” reflection to a stadium redesign—that show what real inclusion looks like.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/jennifer-spencer-iiams-leading-for-all-how-to-create-truly-inclusive-and-excellent-schools/