AGENDA

Play is for All - How We Can Use Play Based Learning to Create Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education Environments
Strand: Inclusive practices
This presentation will delve into applicable and tested strategies for building self-contained preschool environments that meet the needs of all students through relationships and play.
Speaker: Bridget Gutish, Deming Early Learning Center/Covered Bridge Special Education District

Partnering for Success: Overcoming Barriers to Collaboration to Improve Outcomes for Students with Challenging Behavior
Strand: Supporting Student Behaviors
Collaboration amongst practitioners is key to support systems and interventions designed to improve outcomes for students with disabilities (McLeskey et al., 2017). Despite this truth, school professionals encounter many barriers to collaborating with other professionals to support students with challenging behavior (Squires et. al., 2024). This session will use research to help attendees develop an action plan for collaborating with other professionals to support students with challenging behavior.
Speaker: Ashley Walke, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center

Session TBD
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Description TBD
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Specially Designed Instruction
Strand: 
Within this session, SDI will be defined and practical strategies will be shared to ensure individualized instruction is provided to students with disabilities. Participants will gain insight on effectively and efficiently planning for SDI to best support student learning.
Speaker: Dr. Marcee Wilburn, IEPTAC

Inclusive Practices: Strategies for Creating and Sustaining Inclusive Learning Environments for All Students
Strand: Inclusive practices
Inclusive Practices: Strategies for Creating and Sustaining Inclusive Learning Environments This session will provide practical strategies for teachers, administrators, and support staff to support diverse learners. Topics include Universal Design for Learning (UDL), differentiated instruction, behavior supports, and effective collaboration. Participants will engage in interactive discussions and case studies to apply inclusive practices in their schools.
Tina Jones, South Bend Comm. Schools

Access Granted: Creating Accessible and Adapted Materials
Strand: Strategies for Functional Skills Classrooms
This session explores practical, research-based strategies for designing and delivering educational content that is both accessible and effective. Participants will learn how to create materials that align with individualized learning goals, utilize multiple means of representation, and foster engagement for students with complex needs. This session will include hands-on examples, tools for universal design, and real-world adaptations that empower educators to ensure every student has a rightful place—and voice—in the learning process.
Speaker: Hannah Maschino

Twice-Exceptional Scholars
Strand: Gifted and Talented Learners
In this session, I will review the characteristics of 2e learners. Who are they? What are their strengths? Where are their deficits? Then, I will share my Top 10 strategies for meeting the needs of twice-exceptional scholars in your classroom! I designed this session to both build background and disseminate practical resources. There will also be time for questions!
Speaker: Ellie Minogue, Indiana Association for the Gifted

Enhancing Executive Functioning in the Classroom
Strand: Inclusive Practices
In this session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of three core executive function skills - inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility (shifting). These skills are critical for students' academic achievement, behavior regulation, and overall success in the classroom and beyond. The session will examine how executive functions develop in children, and what they look like in the classroom. Participants will leave with insights and actionable tools to support their students in developing these essential skills. This session will equip participants with the knowledge to foster a more organized, attentive, and adaptable classroom atmosphere.
Speaker: Dr. Marcee Wilburn, IEPTAC

Equity in Education: Creating Inclusive Learning Environments
Strand: Inclusive Practices
Explore the key concepts and scientific principles that drive effective inclusive practices. This resource delves into practical strategies, showcasing valuable tech tools, outlining flexible grouping blueprints, and offering motivational approaches to cultivate equitable and inclusive learning environments. The final takeaway provides actionable insights for educators seeking to implement these vital principles.
Speaker: Jennifer Wallen, Liberty Perry Schools

From Restraint to Regulation: Scaling Success in Behavior Support
Strand: Supporting Student Behaviors
Discover how one specialized day school dramatically reduced restraint and seclusion. This session explores their effective behavior support program and offers insights into replicating their positive outcomes in other educational settings. Includes Q&A..
Speaker: Taryn Richard, MSD of Wayne Township
Trenton Worden, MSD of Wayne Township

Supporting Multi-Lingual Students with Disabilities
Strand: English Language Learners
In today’s diverse classrooms, educators are increasingly faced with the challenge of meeting the unique needs of multi-lingual students with disabilities. This professional development session is designed to provide teachers with practical strategies, resources, and insights to better support these students and create effective learning environments. A combination of evidence-based practices and case study review will provide educators the opportunity to consider the adaption of instructional materials, use of assistive technology and collaboration with support teams to ensure multi-lingual students with disabilities receive the accommodations and interventions they need to succeed academically. By the end of the session, educators will feel equipped with the knowledge and confidence to support the academic growth of multi-lingual students with disabilities, ensuring they thrive in an inclusive educational setting.
Speaker: Dr. Marcee Wilburn, IEPTAC

Building a Strong and Equitable Early Learning Foundation
Strand: Supporting Student Behaviors
Participants will become aware of why equitable learning environments matter, gain knowledge about 6 research-informed foundational equitable principles and increase their understanding of how to apply the 6 equitable foundational principles.
Speaker: Lynne Hall, Indiana University IIDC's Early Childhood Center

Google Form: Behavior Check-Ins
Strand: Supporting Student Behaviors
This session will show how to use Google Forms to assist in tracking a student's behavior, to communicate behaviors home and hold the general education teachers accountable for filling out the form.
Speaker: Shanna Bass, Alexandria Monroe Community Schools

Creating a Healthy Relationship with Technology
Strand: Mental Health and Wellness
Empowering youth workers with knowledge and strategies to guide teens toward a healthy relationship with technology. This session covers adolescent brain development and technology's influence, the mental health impacts of gaming and social media, fostering critical thinking and digital literacy, and creating practical technology plans for balanced well-being.
Lindsay Kusy

High Leverage Practices: Instruction in Academics and Behavior
Strand: Inclusive Practices  
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) in partnership with the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability and Reform (CEEDAR) Center has developed and published a set of 22 high-leverage practices (HLPs) for special educators. Within this session, participants will dive into HLPs supporting Instruction in Academics and Behavior.
Speaker: Dr. Marcee Wilburn, IEPTAC