With the growing emphasis on inclusive education, students with disabilities are increasingly participating in music classes. This shift brings exciting opportunities for music educators, along with the need for thoughtful adjustments to instruction, environment, and mindset.
Grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), this session offers practical strategies to support a wide range of student needs. Topics include adapting classroom space, pacing, routines, and instruction; creating a positive, inclusive classroom culture; integrating multiple learning modalities; and collaborating with education specialists and support staff.
Specific intervention strategies will address working with students with autism, behavioral challenges, physical disabilities, intellectual or learning disabilities, visual impairments, and those who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Real-world examples and classroom-tested tips will be shared, drawing from the presenters’ experiences as public school music educators and credentialed music therapists.
Whether you're new to inclusion or looking to deepen your practice, this session will equip and inspire.
Target Audience
While the focus is mostly on general music classrooms in elementary and middle school settings, the content will benefit all music educators.
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Katherine Findlay Hagstrom
Irvine Unified School District
Katherine Findlay Hagstrom, a credentialed music educator, has taught PK-6th grade music in the Irvine Unified School District for 11 years. Reflecting her dedication to equitable access to arts education, Katherine is also a Board-Certified Music Therapist. While teaching for Irvine Unified, Katherine contributed to starting and continuing the Long Beach Harmony Project, now LBYO, a program that provides music education to students who would otherwise not have had access to it. Katherine has been awarded Irvine Unified’s Teaching in Excellence Award, the SCSBOA Rising Star Award, the Orange County Arts Educator Award, and the Orange County Music and Arts Outstanding Arts Educator: Special Education Arts Educator award. She has presented workshops and clinics for organizations such as CASMEC, ASTA, MTAC, UCLA, Chapman University, and Irvine USD.
Brittney Jaynes
Pearson Middle School, Cobb County School District
Brittney Jaynes has been teaching and directing choral music for 17 years and has worked in various schools in the Atlanta area including Clayton County, Rockdale County, Dekalb County, and Cobb County. Ms. Jaynes received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Berry College in 2006, became a certified music therapist (MT-BC) in March 2023 and acquired the designation of Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT). Ms. Jaynes sang with the Atlanta Opera Chorus from 2006-2009 and currently serves as the Assistant Music Director for OurSong Atlanta, under the direction of Dr. Robert Glor. Ms. Jaynes has accompanied for various choruses, musicals, recitals and GMEA events in Atlanta including District IV Honor Chorus and 6th Grade Statewide Honor Chorus. Ms.Jaynes currently serves as the Choral Director at Pearson Middle School where she has created an adaptive music classroom that integrates special education students with neurotypical peer leaders.