What if the problem was never the student, but the system? In this episode, Brandon Laws sits down with Beven Byrnes, Executive Director of Bridges Middle School in Portland, Oregon, the only school in Oregon exclusively serving neurodivergent students. Beven shares how Bridges is flipping the script on traditional education through relationship-based teaching, sensory-aware classrooms, and a deep commitment to belonging. But the conversation doesn't stop at the classroom door. Beven connects the dots between what neurodivergent students need to thrive and what employers are still getting wrong. If you're a business leader, HR professional, or anyone who believes every person deserves a place where they can do their best work, this episode will challenge how you think about talent, culture, and what it really means to build an inclusive workplace.
KEY TIMESTAMPS
00:02 Welcome and introduction to Beven Byrnes and Bridges Middle School
00:44 Why traditional school systems fail neurodivergent students
01:50 The power of relationship-based teaching and small class sizes
02:23 Preparing students for the workforce and the gap employers still need to close
03:39 Compliance vs. belonging: Why the model has to change
05:48 Real examples of meeting students where they are, including advanced algebra with a calculator
07:15 What belonging actually looks like and why it unlocks learning
09:34 The role of language in shifting from a deficit to an asset-based approach
10:24 Neurodivergent brains and AI: A blessing, a challenge, or both?
12:12 Project-based learning and why multiple pathways for demonstrating knowledge matter
14:22 Sensory-aware classrooms and how physical environment shapes engagement
16:34 Movement breaks, reset time, and the small changes that make a big difference
17:30 How Bridges rebuilds confidence in students who've been told they don't fit
19:15 Where students go after Bridges and what success looks like long term
22:02 Self-advocacy as a core life skill for the classroom and the workplace
24:19 What neurodivergent employees bring to teams that employers often overlook
25:38 Why inclusive workplaces benefit every employee, not just neurodivergent ones
27:48 Practical steps business leaders can take to better support neurodivergent employees
30:27 Why language matters and how HR professionals can lead lasting change
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Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws
In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."
About Xenium HR
Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more
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