In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with Kathy Hoffman, former Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction and a passionate advocate for special education. Now serving as the Executive Director for Innovation and Special Education Initiatives at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Kathy is leading Project OASIS—a groundbreaking initiative to rethink and improve special education systems.

Kathy shares her journey from speech-language pathologist to state education leader, explaining how her firsthand experiences in Arizona classrooms shaped her drive for reform. She discusses the challenges facing special education today, including severe teacher shortages, overwhelming administrative burdens, and the need for more inclusive classroom models. Through Project OASIS, she is bringing together educators, researchers, parents, and business leaders to explore innovative strategies that improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

Tom and Kathy also dive into the complexities of special education funding, teacher training, and the need for community collaboration to ensure that every child—regardless of ability—receives the support they need to succeed.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on how reimagining special education can create lasting, positive change for students, teachers, and school systems nationwide.

Key Moments

03:49 Challenges in Special Education Compliance

09:29 Parents' Role in Education Improvement

12:11 Special Ed Challenges in Arizona

14:40 Challenges in Inclusive Education

17:27 Children: 100% of Our Future

Connect with Kathy Hoffman

X: https://x.com/supt_hoffman?lang=en