2023 Virtual Convention Workshops

Workshop 22 - Put the “I” in IEPs Using High-quality Tools for Development and Implementation
Donna Sacco, Ph.D. & Amy Peterson, M.A., American Institutes for Research

Are you struggling with setting realistic yet meaningful goals for your students and designing instruction to meet their individualized needs?  This session, intended for special educators in K-8 settings, will introduce participants to data-based individualization (DBI), the National Center on Intensive Intervention’s approach to intensive intervention, as well as PROGRESS Center’s tools for developing and implementing high-quality IEPs. This interactive session will provide an overview of DBI and illustrate how it can be used to improve and simplify individual education program (IEP) writing by setting individualized, standards aligned goals, designing individualized, specialized instruction, and monitoring progress. The session will also highlight freely available tools and resources from both National Centers. 

Workshop 24 - Engaging and Educating Learners Using Technology
Tara Courchaine, Ed.D., Cynthia Curry, and Tracey Hall, Ph.D., CAST

Educators and teacher preparation faculty will learn and explore considerations for incorporating technology in their classrooms. Workshop topics will include accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). You will learn how to select and use technology that meets the needs of all learners, including learners with disabilities, second language learners, and other underserved populations. 

Workshop 25 - Supporting Students with Challenging Behavior in Unstructured Settings Using Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
Kathy Randolph, Ed.D., University of Colorado—Colorado Springs and Brittany Hott, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, Norman

Challenging behavior most often occurs during the school day in unstructured settings (e.g., bus, cafeteria, hallway, gym). This session will extend evidence-based positive behavioral intervention and supports beyond the classroom and include ways to implement coaching strategies for adults outside of the classroom, such as paraprofessionals, bus drivers and monitors, and other school staff. This workshop will provide a review of evidence-based strategies that are seen in the research base, and then presenters will guide and work with participants to utilize evidence-based interventions and practices used throughout the school day in unstructured school settings. Presenters will share research from coaching studies and use those to drive implementation plans and including ideas for coaching support.  

Workshop 26 - Practical Classroom Strategies for Promoting Student Mental Health and Wellness
Adene Karhan, LCSW, Cornell University, Yang Tan Institute

Rates of depression and anxiety have skyrocketed, and many students are experiencing mental health symptoms which affect school engagement and performance. The presenter, who has over a decade of experience in mental health counseling with children and teens, will provide practical strategies for educators, grounded in CBT and positive psychology.

Workshop 27 - Building Communities of Practice: Strengthening Induction Programs to Support the Needs of New Special Education Teachers
Clara Hauth, Ph.D., Marymount University & Catherine Creighton Martin, Ph.D., Technical Training & Assistance Center at George Mason University

The pandemic amplified teacher attrition, creating the influx and need for new teachers. This workshop is designed for administrators and mentors who are responsible for training and supporting new special education teachers. Presenters will demonstrate how to use the Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers to enhance induction programs. Topics covered include clarifying roles and responsibilities, creating a culture of collaboration, supporting effective IEP (virtual and in person) structures, and developing skills to enhance new teacher competencies.

Workshop 28 - Practical Strategies to Modify Curriculum
Nicole Eredics, The Inclusive Class

In this workshop, you will learn the purpose and process of modifying curriculum as well as numerous practical strategies for making modifications. You’ll review the purpose of curriculum modifications and how they differ with other instructional supports such as Universal Design for Learning and curriculum accommodations. You will then be guided through the process of modifying content which includes aligning materials with curriculum and ways for students with disabilities to access curriculum (alter content, alter educational goals, alter instructional method, and alter depth/breadth of topic). Finally, you will learn how to incorporate high-leverage instructional strategies to create modified materials. Throughout, multiple examples of modifications to print, media, and online resources will be provided to help with modifying curriculum. By the end of the workshop, you’ll learn strategies to make curriculum modifications for students with intellectual disabilities that will support their inclusion in the curriculum and beyond.

Workshop 29 - Executive Functioning Supports in Today's Classroom
Cassie Frost, Disruptive Teaching

You will spend this session learning about executive functioning, how deficits in this area can affect students, and techniques and tools to help support students. Attention, memory, and organization will be reviewed and you’ll have an opportunity to reflect on the changing need of these in today's classroom. You will make-and-take low tech assistive tools for executive functioning, including visuals, folders, color coding tools and more. High tech tools including Chrome extensions, iOS apps, and websites will be demonstrated. You’ll get hands-on and collaborate with colleagues on techniques that work for a variety of student needs.

Workshop 23 - Teachers Lead the Way: Communication & Collaboration
Marilyn Friend, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro & Tammy Barron, Ph.D., Western Carolina University

Student success starts with you—but you’re not working alone. Effectively collaborating with colleagues and other professionals, as well as families and students, is an essential part of being a teacher and it isn’t always easy. This interactive workshop will help you improve your soft skills in professional relationships by learning how to have courageous conversations, run productive meetings, and build trusting and sustainable relationships with families. Let’s strengthen the team beginning with YOU.

Workshop 30 - Tier 2 and 3 Behavior Support: Developing Protocols and Implementation Plans
Jessica Sprick, Safe & Civil Schools

This workshop presents a multi-tier approach to behavior support that ensures that the easiest, and least staff-intrusive interventions are tried first, only progressing to more complex and staff-intensive interventions if needed. The first layer of this continuum is early-stage interventions, designed and implemented by general educations and special education teachers. Next, a menu of Tier 2 problem-solving processes and interventions will be provided—again with the goal that the easiest and least intrusive intervention is implemented with fidelity. Lastly, Tier 3 problem-solving processes will be described. You will evaluate the current array of Tier 2/3 supports in your school, identify gaps in that array, and develop an action plan for closing any gaps that currently exist.

Workshop 31 - Mathematics Success
Jonté A. Myers, Ph.D., Georgia State University

In this workshop, you’ll learn mathematical progressions and practice evidence-based approaches specific to K-5 content. Then, using evidence-based practices, you'll interact with techniques and materials to learn new ways to teach seemingly complex secondary math content.

Workshop 32 - Specially Designed Instruction in Action: Strategies and Techniques to Improve Student Outcomes
Nicole Barrion & Amy Creed, Alexandria City Public Schools

You’ve got the IEP...so what’s next? How do you determine SDI to ensure student progress? This workshop will support participants in how to analyze student IEPs in order to identify effective specially designed instruction (SDI) strategies and build their repertoire of specialized strategies and techniques. Using High Leverage Practices in instruction and an SDI Toolkit shared in the session, you will have an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues to analyze your students’ learner characteristics, present levels, and goals from the IEP to take your SDI to the next level. Everyone will walk away with renewed confidence in planning and implementing their SDI!

Workshop 33 - School-Wide Implementation of Universal Design for Learning: A Learner Centered Design Approach
Bill Wilmot & Jennifer Levine, CAST

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for ensuring all learners, including students with disabilities, have access to curriculum and the opportunity to develop as expert learners. CAST, the originators of UDL, will share the newly developed framework to support the systematic implementation of UDL called the UDL School Implementation and Certification Criteria. They will share an approach to using this framework to drive ongoing school change using a process that merges implementation science and user-centered design to ensure that the needs of all learners placed at the center of improvement processes. Join us to explore the latest tools and thinking about UDL implementation, whether you are in an initial exploration phase or scaling across your whole district.