Champions for Kids-Arizona

I am so honored and blessed not only to be chosen but to join such an amazing network of leaders to learn from.

A few years ago with the support of my amazing husband I took a massive leap of faith. I found a great partner in Jenny Mullins and the Champions for Kids-Arizona was born. We are a coalition of parents and professionals committed to the inclusion of students with learning differences in all policies, programs and initiatives. We are challenging the status quo and demanding better.

So proud to call this author a friend and a great Champions For Kids-AZ. Making a faith-based education truly available to our students with learning differences is such an important mission.

McCoy Cejka, author of the report and board liaison for the NCPD’s Catholic Schools Committee, told The Pillar that while the survey shows numerous areas where improvement is needed, she finds the results to be hopeful. “I do think we’re moving in the right direction. It’s just really slow going because it’s hard work,” she said.

Study: Catholic schools vary widely on inclusion of students with disabilities “I do think we’re moving in the right direction. It’s just really slow going because it’s hard work.”

If you are 'othered' from first, second or third grade," he asks, "by middle school or high school, how are you supposed to see yourself any differently?"

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/26/g-s1-117447/school-disability-emotional-behavioral-disorder-special-education?fbclid=IwY2xjawReIQZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeDN-PnvirDN_PxuI92QaDui4NW3fxLqZrD9YCwN3AlBO4dXwtN5f4WgnBWcI_aem_GsZ9GHh3V44RhwyAd4MvGw

Why emotional disturbance, a special ed category, is a double-edged sword for students Every school has problem students, but some are labeled emotionally disturbed (ED) and taught separately from others.

School closures have a disproportionate impact on students with disabilities. Thank you to Nohelani Graf at 12News for spotlighting this issue and including our co-founder Karla Phillips-Krivickas and superstar Champion, Linda Taylor.

Advocates step in to help families of students with special needs navigate Arizona school closures School closures are disrupting services for students with special needs. Here's what families can do now to protect their child's education.

We are honored to be a finalist amongst so many great advocates!

We are thrilled to share that Champions for Kids is a finalist for the Educating All Learners Alliance grant! We are so honored!

We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the All Learners Alliance 2026 New Champions! Congratulations to:

Harold Lee, Jr.
Karla Phillips-Krivickas
Nashlie Sephus
Sandra Hunter
Raquel Bell
Anthony Beckett

Keep an eye out for our New Champion and runners-up announcement in early May!

What is the EALA New Champions Fund?
The New Champions Fund is an annual competitive program that offers an unrestricted subgrant and a year-long mentorship to the selected champions. EALA seeks to elevate emerging leaders from various backgrounds who are working to improve access and belonging in education.

Learn more about our New Champion finalists here: https://educatingalllearners.org/celebrating-innovation-announcing-the-2026-new-champions-fund-finalists/

We are proud to call Hope Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch Education Attorneys a friend and a Champion for Kids!

Becoming a legal eagle in retirement Retired special education teacher Hope Kirsch has turned her educational knowhow into a rewarding second act as a lauded special education attorney post retirement.

What a great story. So grateful for University of Arizona Project Focus but we need so many more opportunities to fill the demand.

Powerful new research - The findings could help educators craft ways to help struggling students become better at math as well as other types of problem-solving.

“One of our surprising findings is that even in the absence of an overt difference in the kids’ behavior, we could pick up strong signals about what their brains are doing behind the scenes,” Menon said. “It gives us insight that how we reason — how we think about problems and adjust our problem-solving behavior — is just as important as having a core domain of knowledge.”

Math learning disability affects how the brain tackles problems, Stanford Medicine study shows Stanford Health Care delivers the highest levels of care and compassion. SHC treats cancer, heart disease, brain disorders, primary care issues, and many more.