Fluorescent lights. Constant noise. Rigid schedules. For a lot of kids with special needs, school was less a place to learn and more a daily test of endurance.

In this episode, Jenny Kendall—a national leader in special education—joins Kevin to talk about what happens when you take students out of a system that was never designed for them and build something better. Virtual learning isn’t a compromise. For many, it’s a relief.

They get into how online education strips away environmental distractions, how real success hinges on teamwork between families and educators, and why AI and assistive tech might be the biggest breakthroughs in special education—if outdated policy doesn’t slow it all down.

How do you build an education system that actually fits the student—not the other way around? And what happens when technology moves faster than the rules meant to govern it? This might be what you want to know.

03:12 – Why the Classroom Was the Barrier

06:05 – Success = Commitment + Customization

08:30 – Online vs. In-Person: Who Does It Better?

11:35 – How a Virtual School Day Actually Looks

14:10 – Fixing the Special Ed Teacher Shortage (Hint: Go Remote)

16:20 – Autism, Anxiety & The Safety of Learning at Home

19:00 – AI Knows Your Kid Is Struggling Before You Do

21:15 – Outdated Laws vs. Next-Gen Learning

🔗 Explore Stride’s Approach to Special Education:

stridelearning.com

🔗 See How Assistive Technology Powers Learning:

stridelearning.com/assistive-tech

👤 Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/jennykendall

Forget one-size-fits-all. K12’s online programs are built to adapt—especially for students with exceptional needs.

Join the millions of families choosing a flexible, personalized path:

✅ Certified teachers specializing in virtual special education

✅ Tailored IEP support & advanced assistive technology

✅ Safe, customized home learning environments

✅ Career-readiness programs designed for diverse learners

🔗 Secure your spot today: https://go.k12.com/mps/national/podcast/

🔗 Need extra support? Explore K12 Tutoring: https://tutoring.k12.com/?utm_source=k12&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_campaign=k12-podcast-tutoring-feb-25

Got thoughts on virtual learning and special education?

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