Learning Together, What I’m Reading Now & Upcoming Schoolutions Episodes ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
OLIVIA WAHL COACHING & CONSULTING

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead

Since this is February, I decided to share a few recent wins in our world of education. These rulings and settlements benefit our students directly by protecting their civil rights and educational funding. 

On August 14, 2025, Judge Stephanie Gallagher invalidated a “Dear Colleague” letter that the government had issued on February 14th, to curb Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Even though the government filed an appeal to defend the letter after the August 14th ruling, the Department of Education signed a joint motion to dismiss that appeal on January 26th.

Last March, the Department of Education attempted to unilaterally revoke extensions that allowed schools to spend federal recovery grants. In April, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside a coalition of other states, filed a lawsuit. A final agreement was announced in November, securing the release of these funds, intended for student academic recovery following the pandemic.

The “Natalia Moore Law” (House Bill 5480) was just introduced by State Representative Angela Rigas. The bill is a first-of-its-kind legislation, named in memory of 12-year-old Natalia Moore, a Michigan student who died by suicide on January 26, 2025, following severe, unresolved bullying. This bill addresses gaps in current anti-bullying policies by allowing victims to transfer to a new school district if bullying is not resolved, with tuition fees waived and expedited record transfers.

What I’m Reading Now

Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities

by Stacey Shubitz

In Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities, veteran educator and special education parent Stacey Shubitz provides practical steps for understanding IEPs, 504 Plans, and school communication. Stacey empowers educators, caregivers, and coaches to advocate effectively and help every child thrive.

Foundational Skills for Writing

by Melanie Meehan & Maggie Beattie Roberts

In their book, Foundational Skills for Writing, releasing on February 24th and available for pre-order now, Melanie Meehan & Maggie Beattie Roberts illuminate the science-backed secrets of writing development that will help you transform your students into confident writers with ready-to-use strategies you can implement tomorrow.

Reclaiming What Works for Kids

This month, Schoolutions Teaching Strategies celebrates the educators and researchers who are revolutionizing how we support children. 

From empowering families during the 130 hours outside school walls, to understanding how the brain unlocks writing potential, to creating connection before correction with neurodivergent learners, our conversations explore proven approaches that honor how children actually learn. You’ll discover the neuroscience behind play-based kindergarten, the foundational skills that transform writers, and the brain states that enable true learning. 

I cannot wait for you to join our four conversations with brilliant minds who are showing us the path forward: child-centered, research-backed, and filled with possibility for every learner. Don’t forget to join our Schoolutions Teaching Strategies podcast community, if you haven’t already, by clicking this link.

02/02 (Part 1) & 02/06 (Part 2) Season 5, Episode 23 
Of 168 hours in a week, 130 are spent outside school—make them count.

Literacy specialist and special education parent Stacey Shubitz discusses her groundbreaking book that bridges the gap between classroom and home life for families navigating IEPs, 504 plans, and disability services. From reframing evaluations as "finding the key to unlock learning" to protecting relationships and cultivating joy beyond therapy appointments, the conversation offers both practical strategies and profound wisdom.

02/09 (Part 1) & 02/13 (Part 2) Season 5, Episode 24
Discover why handwriting is the gateway to literacy and how a few strategic minutes can unlock possibilities for all writers.

Melanie Meehan and Maggie Beattie Roberts reveal the critical research behind their new book on foundational writing skills, unpacking how understanding the brain's role in writing—from handwriting to executive function—can transform how we teach every child to become a confident, capable writer.

02/16 (Part 1) & 02/20 (Part 2) Season 5, Episode 25
Learn the brain states that change everything: why safety and connection must come before learning, and how to advocate powerfully for neurodivergent children.

Dr. Courtney Bishop shares her journey as a neurodivergent mom and educator. Courtney reveals why traditional behavior management fails our kids and how her conscious coaching framework helps adults pause, shift their narratives, and create genuine connection. Children can't reach their learning brain until we regulate our own.

02/23 (Part 1) & 02/27 (Part 2) Season 5, Episode 26
When doctors diagnose play deprivation, it's not just an education problem—it's a public health emergency. Here's what we can do about it.

Dr. Beverly Falk and Dr. Nancy Cardwell from CCNY reveal a shocking trend: NYC pediatricians are diagnosing kindergarteners with play deprivation-induced anxiety and depression. These veteran educators expose how scripted curricula are creating a public health crisis—and share their six-point proposal they're bringing to Mayor Mamdani to save early childhood education.

Listen on Apple
Subscribe on Spotify
Watch on YouTube

OLIVIA WAHL COACHING & CONSULTING

107 Giles Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
USA

linkedin youtube facebook instagram

Unsubscribe