Help Teach

In this episode, we look at allyship and innovation in the accessibility space in a different, perhaps even slightly contradictory, way.

Join Mihai and returning guest Talina Papazian as they discuss Talina's new projects that explore the story we, as advocates and allies, tell about accessibility. Together, they formulate a response to the individual/particular model of advocacy, which suggests that there is value in finding a "common thread" in the story we tell about disability in society. By following this thread, we can leverage collaboration to its fullest, help each other play to our strengths, and find inspiration in the contributions of others.

BizKids For Change @ You Taught Me YouTube
You Taught Me website
You Taught Me Instagram
You Taught Me on Amazon
Episode 35 - Taking C.A.I.R. - Neuropluralism for the Classroom with Gillian Nycum

In this episode, we broach the subject of self-image in a different light and talk about where would-be advocates and their role models might be holding themselves back.

Join Mihai and Lindsey Mazza as they discuss the hard road to becoming one's own advocate in the face of a lifetime of adversity. They talk about the enabling role of allies and impart three key lessons for actors in education: the value of problem-solving and a strong self-image for students, the teacher's power to instill confidence or destroy it, and the parents' role in modelling self-advocacy, most importantly by supporting their children in taking up their own battles.

Lindsey's website - Mentorship, speaking, and partnerships

Tune in to this re-release of a hidden gem that opened Season 3 of Help Teach, where we dissect the nuts and bolts of inclusive playgrounds, from funding to construction, and discuss the importance of both free play and universal design for young people of all abilities.

Join Mihai and Melissa as they explain how crucial inclusive (not "accessible"!) playground equipment can be for young learners. They offer recommendations for teachers on how to advocate for, fund, and construct these structures so that as many students as possible can experience free play, regardless of their abilities. Please visit the links below for more information on accessible play and the Rick Hansen Foundation's Accessibility Certification program:

Playworld: Commercial Playground Equipment Manufacturer
Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program
RHFAC Professional Training
BC Government Capital Programs
BC Playground Grant Listings by Habitat Systems
Playground Grants and Funding in Canada

Enjoy this re-release of one of most popular episodes from the Help Teach vault. In December, 2024, Mihai reconnected with his elementary school principal John McMahon to discuss how teachers can help their students of all abilities discover their potential through an arts-infused education.

Join Mihai and John McMahon as they reminisce on old times and tell inspiring stories of students whose lives were forever changed after being empowered to take an active role in their early education through the arts. This discussion on creative and critical thinking, building relationships, and striving to see the best in one another is sure to leave you gladdened, at the least, and hopefully even inspired to act. Enjoy this longer, uncut episode and have a great summer!

ArtStarts Program
Brent Kobayashi | Meowza Games
Mikayla Sager
Excellence Through the Arts
George Pringle Elementary arts video compilation

In this episode, we discuss recovery after Post Concussion Syndrome and the importance of access to the classroom, even when it seems impossible.

Join Mihai and debut author Paulina Turczynska as they discuss the long and little-known road to recovery faced by those suffering from Post Concussion Syndrome. They share stories about making one's own adventures while stuck in bed, talk about pursuing ambitions despite life being put on pause, and remind teachers that the best solutions to unusual problems are often found when you choose not to go by the letter.

Letters from a Concussed Girl - Paulina Turczynska
Toronto District School Board Concussion Procedure PR712
BC Guidelines Appendix B: Return to School Protocol

Help Teach Discord

In this episode, we discuss ADHD in the modern day, in adulthood and, most importantly, in the classroom.

Join Mihai and young entrepreneur Ammaar Khan as they explore the most recent developments in understanding ADHD, especially among adults and women of all ages. Together, they tackle persistent misconceptions about the condition, highlight the vital importance of diagnosis and access to information for better health outcomes, and leave teachers with some questions to encourage self-reflection and help build community in the classroom.

The ADHD Weasel
Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada

Help Teach Discord

In this episode, we discuss disability in post-secondary and professional education, the impact of policy on access and the power of professors to make a difference in their students' lives.

Join Mihai and his new colleague, Toufic Chehab, as they break down the impact of provincial and federal policy on accessibility in Canadian post-secondary institutions. They share stories of their experiences across different provinces, highlighting the crucial privilege of a second chance and how professors can use their power, coupled with strong awareness, to help their students succeed.

Accessible Canada Act, (S.C. 2019, c. 10)
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

Help Teach Discord

In this episode, we discuss transitioning from high school to post-secondary studies as a disabled student and three tips for making the most of the experience.

Join Mihai and Help Teach's first-ever guest, Payton Given, as they catch up on life and discuss transitioning from high school to post-secondary as a disabled student. They celebrate Payton's budding para-athletics career, connect over the impact of their role models on their lives and share some advice for teachers to help their students with disabilities aim high in academia.

Athletics Nova Scotia Awards - Athletics East Track and Field Club
More about Payton

Accessibility at Post-Secondary blog series by the RHF YLC

Casey Perrin MSVU Valedictorian Speech 2019
Rick Hansen MSVU Convocation Speech 2019

Interabled by Hannah and Shane Burcaw (Squirmy and Grubs on YouTube)

Help Teach Discord

Join me as I offer some life updates on where I've been and where I'm headed in 2025. In this episode, I lay out some plans for the future of Help Teach, chat about my experience so far in law school, and share my Top 5 favourite moments of 2025.

Toronto Pearson International Airport earns RHF Gold Certification
More about RHFAC Gold
About Master Smith, Difference Maker

Help Teach Episode 30

Bonus content for Episode 35 with Gillian Nycum about neuropluralism in the classroom and her work, Authentic Front by Gillian Nycum (soon to be Fields of Potential).

In this episode, we take a new approach to the challenge of neurodiversity in the classroom and offer a simple solution for teachers to make their students feel welcome: the C.A.I.R. framework.

Join Mihai and Gillian Nycum as they discuss the concept of "neuropluralism"; not just inviting neurodiverse people to our table, but being curious about what goes on at theirs. They distill the challenges of balancing a classroom of diverse neurotypes into a simple acronym - the C.A.I.R. framework - designed to help maximize students' potential as learners and teachers' potential as leaders.

Authentic Front by Gillian Nycum (soon to be Fields of Potential)
Episode 30 with Andrew Gadd
Leanne Simpson - Land as pedagogy; Nda-nwendaaganag (All My Relations) (primers on the Indigenous approach to reasoning and the Four Faculties: heart, mind, body and spirit)

Help Teach Discord

In this episode, we delve into the sometimes conflicted world of entrepreneurship and accessibility, especially for those living with a visual impairment.

Join Mihai and Aidan Gibbons as they explore the challenge of finding the right balance between being an advocate and "fitting in" in the world of entrepreneurship, business, and project management. They also talk about visual impairment in the classroom, visually impaired athletics, and the qualities of a successful entrepreneur in Part Two of this two-part conversation.

Inspired 2 Uplift Society
Get in touch with Aidan: aidan@inspired2uplift.com

Help Teach Discord

Correction: Aidan is Help Teach's second visually impaired guest. For more on life with a visual impairment in Canada, especially with a late-onset condition, please check out Episode 12 - Late to the Party featuring James Kwinecki!

In this episode, we delve into the sometimes conflicted world of entrepreneurship and accessibility with Help Teach's second visually impaired guest.

Join Mihai and Aidan Gibbons as they explore the challenge of finding the right balance between being an advocate and "fitting in" in the world of entrepreneurship, business, and project management. They also talk about visual impairment in the classroom, inspiring figures, and searching for one's potential while uplifting others in Part One of this two-part conversation.

Inspired 2 Uplift Society
Get in touch with Aidan: aidan@inspired2uplift.com

Help Teach Discord

Join Mihai Covaser as he recaps and summarizes the most important lessons from Season 3 of Help Teach, with a focus on the vital importance of attitudes and mentality. Thank you for another amazing year of engagement, from all around the world! We can't wait to bring you more inspiring stories and helpful lessons with a new sound from a new team of volunteers.

Thank you for listening, and I'll see you next time!

Help Teach Discord community
Get in touch at helpteachpodcast@gmail.com.

In this episode, we explain the "accessibility Spidey-sense" that often accompanies life as a disability advocate or ally and how we can more effectively share the work of learning together in the classroom.

Join Mihai and Talina Papazian as they discuss allyship, advocacy, and the variety of hats disabled and non-disabled people wear in pursuit of a more accessible community. They break down the "sixth sense" for inaccessible environments that advocates often develop, discuss different lenses and their impact on an ally's daily life, and offer suggestions for lightening the load of accessibility learning in the classroom through effective resource integration.

"You Taught Me" Instagram
"You Taught Me" on Amazon
RHF Youth Leadership Committee Application and Information

In this special milestone episode, Help Teach goes international as we explore the power of our own attitudes in shaping our disability experience.

Join Mihai and Andrew Gadd as they discuss the foundational role of educators in shaping the personal perceptions and attitudes that young people with disabilities carry into their adult lives. We often talk about the obstacles created by others' judgment, but our own beliefs - shaped by our families, role models, and peers - can seriously inhibit us, as well. Tune in to learn more about growing up without a safety net and how we can become our own best friends, instead of our worst enemies.

Andrew Gadd's TikTok

In this long-awaited return episode, we take a deep dive into user experience design, digital platforms, and accessibility in the modern age.

Join Mihai and Valérie Chabot as they discuss the important role user experience design experts play in creating intuitive and accessible websites and apps for everyone to enjoy. Together, they bridge the gap between the digital world and the classroom to highlight the impact that "agility" can have on educators looking for the best ways to accommodate their students with diverse needs. Thank you for your patience and continued support of Help Teach!

In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane to highlight the vital role that an arts-infused education can play in a young student's life. Discover how we can all foster inclusion and excellence through the arts together heart-warming episode. Happy holidays!

Join Mihai and John McMahon as they reminisce on old times and tell inspiring stories of students whose lives were forever changed after being enabled to take an active role in their early education through the arts. This discussion on creative and critical thinking, building relationships, and striving to see the best in one another is sure to leave you gladdened, at the least, and hopefully even inspired to act. Enjoy this longer, uncut episode and have a safe and joyous holiday season!

ArtStarts Program
Brent Kobayashi | Meowza Games
Mikayla Sager
Excellence Through the Arts
George Pringle Elementary arts video compilation

In this episode, we dissect the nuts and bolts of inclusive playgrounds, from funding to construction, and discuss the importance of both free play and universal design for young people of all abilities.

Join Mihai and Melissa as they explain how crucial inclusive (not "accessible"!) playground equipment can be for young learners. They offer recommendations for teachers on how to help advocate for, fund, and construct these structures so that as many students as possible can have the experience of free play, irrespective of their abilities. Please visit the links below for more information on accessible play and the Rick Hansen Foundation's Accessibility Certification program:

Playworld: Commercial Playground Equipment Manufacturer
Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program
RHFAC Professional Training
BC Government Capital Programs
BC Playground Grant Listings by Habitat Systems
Playground Grants and Funding in Canada

In this episode, we explore a program designed to make dreams come true for young people with disabilities in Nova Scotia and talk about why new experiences are crucial for developing self-confidence in the classroom and beyond. Thank you Dimitri and Darren for your amazing work!

Join Mihai and Payton as they bring you the story of Payton's experience with Dream Wings, a program that gives Nova Scotian youths with disabilities the gift of flight. They dive into how life-changing it can be to have access to exciting (and sometimes challenging) new opportunities as a disabled youth and, finally, what teachers can learn about the indispensable role of self-confidence and self-advocacy in the classroom.

Dream Wings Facebook page
Dream Wings story article (CBC.ca)

In this episode, we answer the question, "What lessons can Canada learn from around the world to improve its accessibility landscape?" We explore the idea that our attitudes may do more heavy lifting than we think in making our environments more accessible.

Join Mihai and Maggie as they compare notes about their experiences with accessibility abroad. On their conversational voyage, they pass by mobile, visual, and auditory obstacles typically found in countries older than Canada as well as the benefit of space before arriving at the topic of the international X-factor: attitudes. While Canada may be a global leader in accessible environments, it may have more to learn about how treating others (and oneself) the right way can make all the difference in the experience of a disabled person.

In this episode, we respond to our previous conversation on the proper role of support staff in the school system and ask a Certified Educational Assistant (CEA) about her views and experiences.

Join Mihai and Delrene Stade as they discuss the difficulties of working as a CEA/EA in various school districts, including a lack of administrative engagement and proper training for new support staff. They then turn the conversation to how the school system and training regime might be improved, to the benefit of staff, teachers, and (most of all) students. 

In this episode, we trace the multi-faceted experience of life with cerebral palsy through the stages of education and into the professional world and workforce.

Join Mihai, Marco Pasqua, Payton Given, and Lucy Diaz as they discuss the experience of life with cerebral palsy (CP) in Canada as it relates to education and work. They trace the outline of the life of a CP advocate through elementary school, high school, post-secondary and into the labour force, with special attention to the value of good relationships and constructive attitudes. Happy Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month!

Rick Hansen Foundation Schools Program - Resource Library
Hirefortalent.ca
Accessibleemployers.ca
Canadian Disability Benefits

In this episode, we discuss the role of Educational Assistants and the value of accounting for some extra time in the classroom to support a variety of students and their needs.

Join Mihai and Jordan Lowe as they discuss the formative role of Educational Assistants (EAs) in the Canadian public school system and their personal experiences with educational support. They touch on patience, compassion, collaboration, and the idea of leaving extra time in the day to ensure that students don't feel pressed or rushed in the classroom.

Jordan Lowe ElevaTours Canada

Join Mihai Covaser on a trip back through 2023 to learn a bit more about the "why?" behind the show and reflect on the past, present, and future of Help Teach.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

In this episode, we discuss the concept of collaborative inclusion and how the classroom benefits from open doors to conversation between students, teachers, and parents. 

Join Mihai and Kyla Bresch as they discuss the concept of collaborative inclusion, drawing on personal stories of well-adapted classrooms and the benefits of collaboration to achieve accessible ends. Together, they highlight the importance of building bridges and opening doors to students, parents, and other school staff members to integrate diverse viewpoints and meet students where they are in their education journey.

In this episode, we discuss the intersection of public and alternative forms of education and lessons that teachers can learn to supplement their accessibility plan in the classroom.

Join Mihai and Aaron Wang as they discuss alternative forms of education, such as online and private schooling, and what public school teachers can learn from these programs to make their classrooms more accessible. They also touch on the work of psychologist Lev Vygotsky and how teachers can implement his ideas to help students that learn outside the norm to flourish.

The Learning Game by Ana Lorena Fabrega
Hope Braintrust
Growing an Accessible and Inclusive Systems Design Course with PlantUML
The Canadian Philosophy Show
TCPS Discord

In this episode, we discuss the value of musical education in practicing self-expression and how social justice, music, and education can all intersect in the lives of young learners.

Join Mihai and renowned concert violinist and accessibility advocate Adrian Anantawan as they discuss the benefits of musical education for students with disabilities. They describe three key components of inclusive education - space, tools, and attitudes - and share personal stories of advocacy and music in their lives. 

In this episode, we celebrate one year of Help Teach! Enjoy this long-form recap and universal takeaway from all of our co-leads. Thank you all for your incredible support so far!

Join Mihai, Maggie, Élise, and Payton as they summarize the progression of Help Teach over the past year. They discuss what they have been up to over the past few months, where the show is heading next, and how audience members can become more involved. Finally, they give advice on how to best approach members of the disability community with your questions and offers of support.

Get in touch at helpteachpodcast@gmail.com
Join the Discord

Watch Maggie on All-Round Champion S5

In this episode, we showcase a new inclusive initiative for school-age children in the Okanagan Valley and discuss some of the elements that make advocacy successful.

Join Mihai and Melissa Grassmick as they discuss Julia's Junction, a new accessible playground initiative for the city of West Kelowna. They dive into what made this project so successful and what helped Melissa and her daughter Julia navigate elementary school so far, ensuring Julia's inclusion despite the obstacles in their path.

Julia's Junction

In this episode, we discuss the intersection between disability advocacy and environmental activism and how students can be better supported as they seek to participate in their areas of passion.

Join Mihai, Isabel Huang, and Élise Doucet as they discuss their journies in disability advocacy and environmental activism. They discuss what it means to support many causes at once, where barriers can arise, and how teachers can best empower students to become holistic individuals and invested community members, starting in the classroom.

Participate in Isabel's anonymous survey
Learn more about the FBC Youth Program
West Coast Climate Action Network for additional resources and information
Per Espen Stoknes TED Talk - How to transform apocalypse fatigue into action on global warming

In this episode, we discuss the academic concerns surrounding non-verbal students, advocacy on behalf of someone else, and a specific challenge in the built environment: washrooms.

Join Mihai and Lucy Diaz as they explain the physical and academic challenges that come with navigating the school system as a person with severe cerebral palsy and a lack of verbal communication capacity. They elaborate on what advocacy can mean in different contexts, such as for people without lived experience, and illustrate the importance of fully accessible built environments.

Difference Maker of the Year Awards by RHF

In this episode, we discuss para-sport, the Paralympics, and how young athletes can participate in sports in their communities regardless of their disabilities.

Join Mihai and Dr. Jaimie Borisoff as they continue their chat by answering a fan question about para-sport and the Paralympics. They explain how the Paralympics rank their athletes, how to differentiate between the Special Olympics and the Paralympics, and how an aspiring athlete might end up participating in para-sport at different levels, with or without a disability.

BC Athletics - Para Athletics
Paralympic Sports - Canadian Paralympic Committee
International Paralympic Committee
Special Olympics

In this episode, we discuss the challenges unique to parenting with a disability and how schools can be more welcoming not only to their students but to the parents of those students, as well.

Join Mihai and Dr. Jaimie Borisoff as they chat about what it's like to be a parent and a wheelchair user in Canada, including the struggle of dealing with an inaccessible school and a reluctant school board. They touch on playgrounds, restaurants, and more as they explore the attitudes surrounding disabled parenting and what can still be done to improve the experience, especially in education. Join us soon for Part 2, where we answer a fan question about para-sport and the Paralympics!