On Whole Child: Personalized Tiered Supports, host Naren Balasubramaniam sits down with Dr. Christopher Sanzeri, Assistant Director of Specialized Student Services – Curriculum & Instruction at Elgin Area School District U-46, for a practical and forward-looking conversation on what it takes to build inclusive, high-quality systems for students with complex learning needs.

Christopher shares his path from aspiring social studies teacher and football coach to special education teacher, and ultimately to district leadership—driven by a desire to expand impact beyond the 6–10 students in his classroom. Together, Naren and Christopher explore U-46’s Multi-Abilities Classroom (MAC) model: why it was created, how it replaces multiple segregated programs with a unified service delivery approach, and how boundary changes created a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redesign placements around inclusion, consistency, and belonging.

Listeners will also hear how U-46 is strengthening MTSS alignment across literacy, numeracy, and SEL, how Panorama is evolving into a centralized MTSS warehouse, and how Christopher’s research on teacher attitudes and assessment connects directly to curriculum and instruction decisions for students with significant disabilities.

Key Moments

03:07 Classroom Joy and Reflection

07:44 "Special Education Integration Changes"

12:11 "Optimizing Classrooms for Diverse Needs"

13:56 Measuring Success Through Student Metrics

19:46 "Refining Intervention and Assessment Processes"

22:35 Blending Functional and Academic Teaching

25:10 Data-Driven Instructional Implementation Guide

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode is a rare look at large-scale special education redesign done thoughtfully—not as a “program of the year,” but as sustained, system-level work built for long-term impact. Christopher brings deep classroom credibility, strong instructional focus, and a clear commitment to inclusion. If your district is navigating service delivery redesign, MTSS alignment, alternate curriculum decisions, or inclusive placement strategy, you’ll walk away with concrete ideas and a sharper vision for what’s possible.

Connect with Our Guest

Christopher Sanzeri Assistant Director of Specialized Student Services – Curriculum & Instruction, Elgin Area School District U-46 District Website: https://www.u-46.org/