👋 Welcome to the May 2025 issue of The Latest!

Prioritizing Students Over Systems: An Interview with Johnny Collett

Welcome to a special edition of The Latest!

I recently had the privilege of sitting down with my longtime colleague and friend Johnny Collett, Deputy Director at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, for a conversation about our shared passion for disability advocacy and education.

One phrase Johnny shared has stuck with me for years, and I’ve quoted it often (always with attribution!):

“Thank you for saying yes, because it meant you had to say no to something else.”

This acknowledgment of the intentional choices we make in our professional lives led us to discuss what we should be prioritizing with our “yes”.

When pressed on what he is saying yes to, Johnny replied:

“I hope we’re prioritizing students over systems.”

He went on to explain how this relates to his work over decades in supporting students with disabilities: “Our primary objective should be preparing students and not preserving systems.”

This doesn’t mean dismantling everything we’ve built—it means ensuring our systems serve their intended purpose rather than existing for their own sake.

In an era of tighter budgets and hard decisions, this philosophy becomes even more crucial.

We face a choice: entrench ourselves in defending “how we’ve always done things” or innovate to better serve all students, particularly those with disabilities.

What this means to me:

I’m reflecting on where I might need to be better about prioritizing students over systems in my own work.

Some example questions:

• Where am I defending what we’ve always done — when I should be advocating for innovation for an improved student experience?
• Where am I accepting attrition of those struggling as inevitable — rather than addressing potential barriers with urgency?

This conversation with Johnny reminded me that meaningful change often comes through strategic partnerships, thoughtful questioning, and the courage to rethink fundamental assumptions.

It’s about improving systems for the sake of those we serve, not preserving systems for their own sake.

Find your call to action:

I invite my colleagues in education, disability services, and workforce development — especially those who work with young people — to consider:

• In your daily decisions, where are you prioritizing students over systems?
• What “yes” might you need to say today to begin shifting that balance tomorrow?
• Who can you connect with to have thoughtful conversations and find support?