CEC2025: Take Your Experience to the Next Level with Add-On Workshops
CEC’s 2025 Convention and Expo offers countless professional development and learning opportunities. In addition to our concurrent sessions, we offer add-on workshops on Wednesday, March 12, and Saturday, March 15. These additional full- and half-day opportunities provide a closer look into a range of topics that will help you enhance your practice.
Check out just a few of the many workshops being offered:
Workshop 1: Legally Defensible IEPsWednesday, March 12, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM The U.S. Supreme Court has recently referred to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) as the “centerpiece” of the IDEA’s education delivery system for students with disabilities. In accordance with the Court’s updated two-pronged test for determining whether an IEP is appropriate, hearing officers and courts will look to both the procedural and substantive components of the IEP. We will examine common pitfalls that educators must avoid–both procedurally and substantively–to ensure that IEPs are legally defensible. Presented by Julie Weatherly, Esq. |
Workshop 5: Accessibility Matters: The What, Why & HowWednesday, March 12, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM In this session, participants will also learn how accessible materials interconnect with assistive technologies. They will explore the advantages of designing for accessibility, the common issues and difficulties that people with disabilities encounter, and the best methods and tools to make sure your materials are accessible to everyone. Participants will also get practical experience with testing and reviewing materials for accessibility and will gain a deeper understanding of how accessible materials and assistive technologies work together. By the end of this session, you will have the ability and knowledge to design for accessibility from the get-go and make your materials more inclusive and effective. Presented by Kelli Suding, M.Ed. and Michelle Soriano, M.Ed. |
Workshop 8: Intensifying and Intervening: Supporting Students Across a ContinuumWednesday, March 12, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Providing intensive instruction (HLP 20) is critical to support academic and behavioral success for students with persistent needs. But when do we intensify core instruction? How is this similar or different from providing intensive intervention? This workshop will break down differences between intensifying instruction across schoolwide tiered systems of support (e.g., tiers 1, 2, and 3). Educators, administrators, and faculty will understand the “What,” “When,” and “How” of providing intensive instruction across a continuum of learning supports. Presented by Sacha Cartagena, Ph.D., Dena Slanda, Ph.D., and Lindsey Hayes, Ph.D. |
Workshop 16: Empowerment Through Inclusive Practices for Children with DisabilitiesWednesday, March 12, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM This interactive 3-hour workshop aims to equip teacher educators, school and district leaders, and special education teachers with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to support diversity, inclusion, equity, accessibility, and belongingness for children with disabilities in educational settings. Led by three distinguished experts in the field of special education, participants will engage in discussions, activities, and reflections to enhance their understanding and practice in creating inclusive classrooms, schools, and other learning environments that support the development of all learners. Presented by Keishana Barnes, Ph.D., Tameka Burroughs, Ed.D., and Nicole Greene, M.Ed. |
Workshop 19: Prepare and Retain: Tailoring Induction and Mentoring SupportsWednesday, March 12, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM The Center on Great Teachers and Leaders (GTL Center) has deep experience and expertise in supporting states and districts in designing and implementing evidence-based strategies to address the special education teacher shortage. Join experts from the GTL Center to learn about coaching on high-leverage practices, strategic planning for mentorship implementation, and measuring impact. Educational leaders at all levels, including local and state administrators and higher education faculty, will learn actionable steps for preparing and retaining special educators. Presented by Shauntice Wheeler, M.Ed., Researcher, American Institutes for Research, and Sacha Cartagena, Ph.D., Researcher, American Institutes for Research |
Workshop 22: Reframing Family Engagement—Why What We Can’t See is Likely What We Should SeeSaturday, March 15, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM We know from research that parent and family engagement is one of the driving factors in our students’ success, but how do we engage parents when they are too busy or seemingly don’t want to engage with us? In this workshop, you will not only learn, but practice, strategies that are strengths-based, culturally and linguistically affirming, and simple to implement. Let’s go from documenting our attempts to collaborative empowerment! Presented by Teri A. Marx, PhD, Founder, PLACE, LLC and Kasandra Posey, Founder, FAIR Consultancy, LLC |
With these workshops and so many more, the 2025 Convention and Expo is an event you do not want to miss. Learn more about these add-on workshops and others.
We cannot wait to see you in Baltimore, Maryland, from March 12 to March 15. Register today, and don’t forget to add on these additional convention workshops.