Dr. Natalie Holdren
Lecturer, supervisor, and coordinator for the Extensive Support Needs Program at UCSB's Gevirtz School

Dr. Natalie Holdren is the Education Specialist Credential Coordinator at the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at UCSB. She is a member of the TASH Board of Directors, an organization dedicated to promoting the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life through policy, advocacy, and the dissemination of research. She is also Past-President of the California chapter. In addition, she serves as a consultant for several educational institutions on projects relating to special education, professional development, inclusion, post-secondary support and neurodiversity. She has developed vocational training and self-advocacy courses for students with disabilities at Santa Barbara City College funded by the Adult Education Block Grant. Dr. Holdren has served as a mentor for Georgetown University's Leadership Academy for Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Networks Supporting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Her orientation towards issues of equity has become the basis for her work on training pre-service educators on culturally responsive family-professional partnership. She has just completed work on the 8th edition of Families and Professionals: Trusting Partnerships in General and Special Education, a textbook published by Pearson. 

Something we didn't get to in the interview: Natalie also directs Amatasi Polynesian Dance, a group that helps perpetuate her culture through performances for non-profit organizations in the Santa Barbara area.

Bits of Music You May Notice: Yo La Tengo, "Georgia Vs. Yo La Tengo," Love, "Alone Again Or," Laurie Anderson, "Strange Angels."

This episode first aired on KCSB-FM 91.9 on December 1, 2022.