Supporting Special Education Staff

This session will review successful staff support strategies used by special education administrators.

The Elusive Educator: Understanding the Roles and Responsibilities of Teachers of the Deaf

Participants will learn to maximize effective services by:

1. Clarifying the role of the ToD (when do you need a ToD vs an SLP?)
2. Reviewing the areas related to IDEA that are typically "a result of the disability" for selecting IEP goals
3. Providing examples of skills ToDs target, as well as resources for selecting these skills (e.g., ECC-DHH)
4. Sharing DCD's position paper "Teachers of Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing:  A Critical Resource for Legal Compliance

What can the DEC Standards, DEC Recommended Practices, and the HLPs do to help me improve outcomes for the families we serve?

Learn more about how the DEC Standards, DEC Recommended Practices, and HLPs can support faculty, students and TA providers, administrators, and EI/ECSE Teams in 0-5.

Peggy Kemp, Executive Director, DEC

Christine Spence

Inclusion in 0-5

Which knowledge, skills, and practices lead to inclusion of young children with diagnosed disability and developmental delays with a variety of support and service needs? How can you support inclusive environments as an educator? a special educator? administrator?

Serra Acar

LaShorage Shaffer

Transition Across the Education Journey: Birth to Adulthood

Join us for an insightful session focusing on the educational journey students and families with disabilities encounter from birth to adulthood. This session will delve into the critical stages of transition and career development that begin at birth and the importance of providing continuous, culturally responsive support to youth, families, and educators through adulthood. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the transition strategies and practices that can facilitate smooth transitions and promote inclusivity and equity throughout the educational lifespan. Engage with individuals from early childhood, career development, art, and international education to explore research-based insights and practical activities that can be implemented in educational settings beginning at Pre-K to ensure that students with disabilities reach their adult life outcomes.  We must begin planning and engaging families effectively earlier than high school. This session is ideal for educators, administrators, and professionals dedicated to enhancing the post-secondary outcomes of ALL Learners - so that ALL students regardless of their disability, SES status, cultural background, gender, or sexual orientation achieve their living, learning, and working goals.

Rebekka Jez, DISES

Peggy Kemp, DEC

Stacie Dojonovic, DCDT

Juliann Dorf, DARTS

Al Daviso, DCDT

More than a Seat in a Room: Strategies for Fostering Belonging

All students, including students with disabilities and those from marginalized communities, learn best and are the most successful when they are welcomed and feel a sense of belonging at school. This session will define ten elements of belonging and share freely available resources to help educators and leaders identify inclusive practices to promote belonging within their schools.

After this presentation participants will be able to: 

1. Define the 10 dimensions of belonging 
2. Explain why promoting belonging is essential for all students, especially students with disabilities and those from marginalized populations
3. Use resources and lessons learned to promote belonging and inclusive practices

Riley O'Donnel, Research Assistant, PROGRESS Center

Steven Prater, Technical Assistance Provider, PROGRESS Center

Empowering Building Administrators: Strategies and Resources for Effective Leadership

We know that building administrators have a lot on their plates: personnel shortages, staff development, challenging student behaviors, and IEP responsibilities. We’re here to help! In this session, representatives from the OSEP-funded Lead IDEA and IRIS Centers provide helpful tips geared toward principals’ responsibilities and share free online resources for further information and professional development.   Learning objectives. Participants will: 1) learn strategies and tips for addressing common challenges faced by building administrators; 2) determine topics for which they want additional training or professional development; and 3) identify resources and services available from Lead IDEA and IRIS that relate to those topics.
 

David Bateman, Co-Principal Researcher, Lead IDEA Center

Naomi Tyler, Director, IRIS Center

Supporting Principals and Early Childhood Leaders to Improve Outcomes for Children with Disabilities

Engaging principals and early childhood leaders to improve outcomes for children with disabilities can be challenging for special education leaders for multiple reasons. Join experts from the Lead IDEA Center and the PROGRESS Center to gain resources and learn about services designed to support school and early childhood leaders to meet the needs of all children. The session highlights targeted strategies and shares universally available resources leaders can leverage.

Participants will:

1. gain knowledge to build and sustain learning systems so children can maximize their learning potential,
2. learn strategies to enhance collaboration between special and general educators, and
3. access tools and resources to effectively implement IDEA.

Objectives:

1. Explore the essential knowledge and skills, to build and sustain learning systems where children with disabilities can thrive.
2. Learn strategies that support leaders’ ability to leverage all staff to fulfill students’ Individualized Education Programs.
3. Leverage tools and resources that help principals and early childhood leaders effectively implement IDEA.

Donna Waltham

Timara Davis, PhD