About Kayla Coburn – Special Education Consultant
Get to Know Me – The Story Behind Inclusion Starts Now
Hi, I'm Kayla!
I've worked in education since 2010, and honestly, I can't imagine doing anything else. I started as a paraeducator, became a special education teacher, and later worked as an education specialist supporting students with extensive support needs. Over the years, I've seen schools try every strategy to help students with disabilities—some worked, some didn't, and some just needed a shift in mindset.
If there's one thing I know, real inclusion doesn't come from checklists or quick fixes. It starts with people—parents, teachers, school teams—believing every child belongs.
That belief drives everything I do. Whether I'm coaching a parent through their child's first IEP meeting, training a school team on building a culture of belonging or writing a book that helps kids see disability as a natural part of life, my goal is always the same: to make inclusion possible for every child, every day.
Why I Started Inclusion Starts Now
This work is personal.
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When I left the classroom, I knew I wanted to do more to help schools and families move beyond “good intentions" and into real, everyday inclusion. I'd seen firsthand what happens when students are fully included—the friendships, the growth, and how a classroom can transform when everyone is valued.
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I also saw the barriers that get in the way—fear, misunderstanding, systems that feel impossible to change. However, one person can create real change in their school or community. Sometimes, they need someone to show them how.
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So, I started Inclusion Starts Now to do precisely that.
What I Do
​Every school, family, and child is different, so my work is never one-size-fits-all. My goal is to help you figure out what inclusion looks like in your space and then work alongside you to make it happen.
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Schools: I partner with schools that are ready to move from intention to action. This includes 1:1 coaching with school teams, ongoing support, professional development, and creating long-term plans for building inclusive school cultures.
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Parent Coaching: I work directly with families, helping them understand their child's rights, prepare for IEP meetings, and feel confident advocating for the support their child needs.
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Children's Books: I've written three books designed to start conversations about disability and belonging with kids—because understanding begins early.
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Speaking: I lead workshops, webinars, and conference sessions on inclusion, advocacy, and creating classrooms where every student feels like they belong.
My Approach
The work we will do together will be unique to your needs and focus primarily on what part of the school's culture requires the most focus and action steps on how to make positive change. Every training, book, or coaching session is built around the specific needs of the people I work with.
Inclusion looks different everywhere—but it's always possible.
A Little More About Me
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Degrees & Credentials: Master's in Special Education, Extensive Support Needs Teaching Credential, Assistive Technology Certificate.
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Experience: 10+ years supporting students with disabilities, focusing on deafblind students and those needing high-level support.
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Published Work: Articles in reSources: California Deafblind Services Newsletter and DBI Review. You can read more here.
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Recent Presentations: Featured speaker at Cal-TASH, Inclusion Collaborative, and the Special Education & Advocacy Conference.
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Family Life: I'm a mom of two, and they've taught me more about inclusion than any textbook ever could.
