Belonging is built together.
This work was never meant to be solo. What you’ll find here is a mix of our own work and the collective magic of our team and the people we work and partner with. Still, every community needs a couple of people to connect the ideas and hold the space.
That’s us, Sally and Jackie.
Meet Jackie
Jackie is a researcher, writer, speaker, and consultant with a PhD in education and inclusion. She’s also a neurodivergent mother to two young daughters, one who happens to be disabled, which means this work isn’t just theory, it’s life. Jackie spends her days partnering with communities, leaders, and practitioners as they find their strengths and build belonging with children, families, and one another.
Favorite Emoji: 🪩
Favorite Quote: The desire to be included by your community, to have meaningful work, and to share life with people you love and who love you—to belong—are not “special needs”: they are very ordinary needs. (Jones & Gallus, 2021)
Most Questionable Belief: Rainbow sprinkles are a food group.
Meet Sally
Sally started out as a marriage and family therapist before moving into the messy, ever-changing world of professional learning and state and program systems change. She’s known for seeing the bigger picture, calling out the unspoken stuff, and coaching leaders and teams toward practices that move them from surface-level inclusion to true belonging. Sally’s college-aged daughter is living proof that what happens early matters for a lifetime.
Favorite Emoji: 🥳
Favorite Quote: “How you are is as important as what you do.” Dr. Jeree Pawl
Most Questionable Belief: Not totally convinced dinosaurs are real. I mean … think about it. Have you ever actually seen one? 😉