Featured photo: Tina Heinecke-Kurtz with Katie and Chelsea in front of the USS Constitution in Boston, Massachussetts. November 2025.
We’re back to kick off our “third” season (and sixth year!) of the podcast with learning strategist, National Board certified science educator, and special education teacher Tina Heineke-Kurtz. Tina is a delightful and adventurous human being with a strong passion for inclusive education, and her career in teaching and advocacy has touched the lives of countless students. We spoke with Tina about life in Oconomowoc, co-teaching in an inclusive classroom, and the challenges of meeting the needs of all learners. Welcome back, listeners, and enjoy the chaos of a gaggle of Midwesterners!
00:00 Ice Fishing with the Stomach Bomb
08:40 Teaching Journey and Career Path
13:20 Middle School and Mentorship
21:00 Co-Teaching In Inclusive Classrooms
27:40 COVID and Social/Emotional Displacement
34:40 Making Chicken Soup
37:20 Inclusive Practices and Stakeholder Perspectives
47:00 Professional Development and Personal Growth
49:20 MARBLES, MARBLES, MARBLES!
56:50 The One Who Cared
1:00:00 What We Learned