When Conventional Schools Don’t Work

with Chris Harris, MEd and Miki Walker

When Conventional Schools Don’t Work

Episode 8, Season 3 | November 16, 2022

Show Notes

Today’s episode is proudly sponsored by Adobe. We are so thankful for their support of this Voices of Compassion podcast.

Most kids complain about school sometimes. But if your child’s gripes come almost daily and they are begging you not to go to school at all, you might be wondering if there’s something deeper going on. Are they falling behind? Not making friends? Does the pace of instruction leave them feeling lost and confused?

If feedback from parent/teacher conferences validates your concerns, perhaps it’s time to consider a different type of school environment. Join us for this timely conversation with CHC education experts, Chris Harris, MEd, Chief Schools Officer and Miki Walker, Director of Sand Hill School, as we discuss the many different types of specialized schools and how to know whether to make the change for your child.

Guest Info
Chris Harris headshot

Mr. Harris has developed and refined specialized interdisciplinary programming for children with learning, social-emotional and attention challenges at Children’s Health Council for 15 years. He is also an adjunct lecturer in the Graduate School Special Education Department at San José State University. In the past, Chris has also served as Executive Director at The Janus School, Pennsylvania, The Chartwell School, Monterey, California, and Children’s Health Council.


Ms. Walker has been a long time advocate for creating learning environments that support the whole child from a strengths-based lens. Having been in education for over 15 years, both as a teacher and an administrator across the Bay Area, Ms. Walker believes that the educational partnership between teachers and families, including the students themselves, is an integral part of supporting a journey of lifelong learning. She earned her BA in Liberal Studies at Santa Clara University and obtained her Elementary Multiple Subject Credential from San Francisco State University. She continued on to earn her CA Administrative Credential as well her Special Education Credential to further her passion in both educational leadership and working with students with learning differences. In the past, Miki served for six years as the Director for Discovery Charter School Falcon Campus in South San Jose.

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