Linda Brault

Overview

Linda Brault directs a trio of projects that focus on successful inclusion of young children with disabilities or behavior challenges. Her passion for supporting the children, their families, and their teaching teams has created comprehensive, strengths-based professional development with a focus on changing the world. Her practical strategies, deep expertise, and years of experience help her tailor training, coaching, and leadership team development for clients large and small. 

The three projects Brault oversees include Beginning Together: Caring for Young Children in Inclusive Settings, the California MAP to Inclusion and Belonging: Making Access Possible, and the California Teaching Pyramid. A Beginning Together Institute helps teams of early childhood leaders from special education, early childhood, and early intervention plan together how to increase and improve inclusive options in their communities. Beginning Together also provides webinars and other training events to promote inclusive practices. The MAP Project acts as a clearinghouse of relevant internet resources curated to focus on the inclusion of individuals in a variety of settings. The California Teaching Pyramid is a transformative professional development experience that has been adopted by thousands of programs, from family child care homes to private preschool programs to school districts to Head Start agencies.

Brault has been directing projects focused on inclusion since 1999. Prior to that, she worked as an early childhood special education teacher for a county office of education, was a behavior and inclusion consultant, and taught at several community and state colleges. Brault is a highly sought-after speaker on the topics of inclusion, social–emotional development, and suspension or expulsion of young children. She is committed to generating evidence-based strategies and inspiring stories to make a real impact through professional development. 

Education

• MA in special education, California State University, Dominguez Hills 
• BA in psychology, University of the Pacific 
• BM in music therapy, University of the Pacific 

Select Publications

Brault, L. M. J. (2021). Inclusion works! Creating child care programs that promote belonging for children with disabilities (2nd ed.). California Department of Education, Early Learning and Support Division.

Nicholson, J. (2021). The powerful role of play in early education (Contributing writer). California Department of Education, Early Learning and Support Division.

Brault, L. M. J. (2019). Inclusion works! Creating child care programs that promote belonging for children with disabilities [Video series]. California Department of Education, Early Learning and Support Division.

Babarin, O. (2016). Family partnerships and culture (Contributing writer). California Department of Education, Early Education and Support Division.

Honors, Awards, and Affiliations

Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field, WestEd Staff Recognition Award, 2009

Co-Chair of the California Collaborative on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CA CSEFEL) Statewide Leadership Team and California lead on the California Teaching Pyramid Framework

Early Intervention Leader Honoree at the Special Education Early Childhood Administrators Project Symposium, California Department of Education, Special Education Division

San Diego County Office of Education Programs Teacher of the Year

Recent Media Appearances

• California preschools wrestle to comply with state’s tightened suspension rules, KQED News, April 16, 2024
• Suspension and expulsion on the California Report, KQED podcast, May 25, 2022