Announcing NAPSA’s
2015 Annual Conference
November 15-18, 2015
“Pupil Services: A Year of Advocacy”
Embassy Suites Dublin, Dublin, OH
(Suburban Columbus)
Conference Speakers:
Melissa Martinez Bondy is an attorney in Bricker & Eckler Education group and concentrates her practice in
the areas of education law and developmental disabilities law, with an emphasis on special education; development
of board policies; administration of student discipline; and public and student record concerns. She represents
school districts, county boards of developmental disabilities, and other public entities throughout Ohio. She
counsels clients on resolution of special education disputes arising under the IDEIA and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, including attendance at IEP meetings, resolution sessions, and mediations, and
provides representation at due process hearings, and staff training on compliance issues. She also advises public
employers about employment issues, such as employee discipline or termination.
Melissa is a former Staff Attorney to Judge William M. Young of the Twelfth District Ohio Court of Appeals.
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Linda Colucci is currently the Director of Special Services in Bloomfield, NJ. Previously she was a Supervisor of
Special Education overseeing the Preschool, Autistic Discrete Trial classrooms and paraprofessionals. She provides
professional development in the areas of inclusion, differentiated instruction and behavior management. She also
works with community groups to help facilitate inclusion in recreational programs.
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Dr. William DeMeo is a developmental school psychologist who serves a consultant for the Mayerson Academy.
In addition, he also has a private practice that specializes in serving children and families that other agencies are not
able to serve in the Greater Cincinnati Area. William had coordinated the mental health services for Cincinnati
Public Schools’ Early Childhood Program for the past 25 years. A former teacher, he has taught at all levels, from
elementary through the university. Finally, William is a National Certified Olweus Trainer, National Association of
School Psychologist Approved Provider and a National Consultant for the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency
Prevention.
William has presented workshops and symposia at the national meetings for early childhood professional at the
National Head Start Association (NHS), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC),
Society for Developmental Education (SDE) and the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI).
In addition, he has also presented numerous workshops for administrators, mental health professionals and
educators at the National School Psychologist Association (NASP), Association for Supervision and Curriculum
Development (ASCD), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), Council of Exceptional
Children (CEC), National Title I Conference, American Montessori Society (AMS), Association of Middle Level
Education (AMLE), Global Summit on Childhood, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
and International Behavioral Institute for Children and Adolescents.
William continues to be one of the most sought after national and international trainers for educators in the areas of
mental health and brain-based learning, utilizing his extensive experience to present practical and entertaining
workshops. He has authored several books, including his latest publication; When Nothing Else Works: What Early
Childhood Professionals Can Do to Reduce Challenging Behaviors (2013).
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Dr. Justin J. Gates serves the Kent City School District as the Director of Student Services. In addition to his
current role, he has held positions as a middle school principal, special education coordinator, and intervention
specialist. Dr. Gates resides in Kent with his wife, Carrie and their daughters Avery and Emelia.
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Lynn Lang is Director of School Climate for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. She formally coordinated school health
curriculum for an organization of 13 hospitals in St. Louis, Missouri.
She co-authored a resource workbook on relational skills for grades 4-8 which became the foundation for a
successful two-year research project in reducing school bullying. As part of the Missouri Summit for Online Child
Exploitation, she promoted statewide legislative recommendations to address adequately this problem of
international scope. In 2011, she addressed global technology education issues for women and children at a side
event for the United Nations 55th Commission on the Status of Women.
Intercultural Competence is integral to creating emotionally safe schools. School personnel have not diversified at
the same rate as student populations. Many times a lack of cultural understanding is at the heart of conflicts within
schools, and it is time for a national conversation about how this disparity affects our communities.
Her work demonstrates evidence of positive outcomes in teaching youth about relationship building, emotional
intelligence, managing stress, and preventing violence, and bullying. She holds an M. S. in Health Management from
Lindenwood University.
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Christina Henagen Peer, Esq. focuses her practice on school law as well as labor and employment law.
Christina represents boards of education in all facets of education law. She provides counsel to boards of education
on student discipline, collective bargaining agreements, employee grievances, employee evaluations and discipline
issues, the First Amendment, public records requests including Sunshine Law issues, record retention policies, social
media issues, residency and custody disputes and the drafting and implementation of board policies. With a
particular emphasis on special education law, Christina counsels boards of education on all aspects of state and
federal laws relating to the education of disabled students.
In 2009 and 2010, Christina was recognized as a Rising Star by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine, a distinction that
recognizes the top 2.5 percent of Ohio lawyers under the age of 40 or those in practice for 10 years or less. She also
appears in The Best Lawyers in America 2012.
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Dr. Melissa Reeves is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed professional counselor, licensed
special education teacher, and adjunct instructor at Winthrop University. She specializes in crisis prevention and
intervention and works with schools on establishing a safe school climate utilizing a multi-tiered approach. She was
recently elected to serve as President of the National Association of School Psychologists.
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Jackie Ricciardi has been an active mental health and anti-bullying advocate since her early teenage years. She
struggled with depression, anxiety and chronic self- injury from the time she was six years old. She had a terrible
fear of revealing these issues to her friends and family because of the stigma surrounding mental health disorders
and her seemingly perfect external life. Jackie was Student Body President, an athlete and in the top 10% of her
class. Internally, she was struggling with her depression, anxiety and self-harm. Her journey to healing began when
she began attending Saint Joe’s University on an academic scholarship. Through her recovery, she became
President of a mental health advocacy organization on campus and has organized suicide awareness and mental
health awareness benefit concerts. Becoming a speaker for Minding Your Mind has given her the opportunity to
share her experiences with people who might be feeling as isolated as she did before she received the proper
treatment. She also speaks for those who may be simply unaware of the importance of mental health and for those
that believe that they can easily identify the face of mental illness. She feels passionately about educating adolescents
that recovery may not be simple but that it so unbelievably powerful when it is experienced.
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Mrs. Angela Schoepflin joined NAMI Ohio in 2012. As the Children’s Programs Administrator her
responsibilities include: Serving as a representative on statewide committees, work groups, and panels. Operating
with local providers and agencies, offering technical assistance and training for the purpose of creating a system of
support groups among families whose children have behavioral challenges, working with local representatives and
training individuals to serve as support group facilitators. She administers the Parent Advocacy Program.
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Speakers sponsored by:
A grant from the Ohio Department of Education
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Conference Agenda
Sunday, November 15
12:00 PM-5:00 P.M. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
2:00-3:30 P.M.
Opening Session –Keynote Speaker
Jackie Ricciardi – “Erasing the Stigma”
Jackie Ricciardi was the top 10% of her class, student body president, an athlete, and…a cutter. Jackie shares her
experience of trying to make everyone believe that her life was perfect on the outside, while inside she was falling
apart. Through personal narrative and educational information, Jackie provides valuable insight into the challenges
mental health issues present and the many ways to overcome those obstacles. Topics addressed include stigma
reduction, anxiety, depression, self-harm, bullying and positive coping mechanisms.
3:45-5:15 P.M.
Session Two
Linda Colucci - “General and Special Education Administrators Working Together to Create
an Inclusive School”
Creating an inclusive school while ensuring all IEP’s are implemented appropriately requires a great deal of time,
scheduling and collaboration. This cannot happen if the building principal and the department of special services
act in isolation. In this workshop attendees will hear how the building principal, along with special services,
collaborate to ensure the success of all students. They will see how the building principal helps staff align goals and
objectives with current curriculum and standards. Attendees will understand how the department of special services
supports the building and staff.
5:30 – 7:30 P.M.
President’s Reception
Monday, November 16
8:00 A.M-3:00 P.M. Registration
8:30 - 11:30 A.M.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Melissa Reeves – “Addressing Mental Health Needs to Positively Impact School Climate,
Achievement, and Behavior ”
The mental health needs of students are increasing and schools face the increasing burden of providing socialemotional supports. This presentation highlights the current mental health issues impacting schools and presents a
model of how redefining the job roles of school-employed mental health professionals, providing multi-tiered
interventions, and crisis prevention and preparedness can improve academic achievement and behavior.
11:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
Lunch on your Own
A networking lunch is available for new directors and anyone interested in
participating. There is a $15 fee.
12:45 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Session Two
Lynn Lang - “How Interculturally Competent are You?”
White students are the minority for the first time in history. How ready are schools to welcome a diverse student
body? Assess your intercultural competence and learn strategies for welcoming everyone into your school
community.
2:15 - 5:15 P.M.
Session Three
Mrs. Angela Schoepflin (NAMI) - “Parents and Teachers as Allies”
Empowering teachers and school personnel to make a lasting difference in the lives of their students, NAMI
Parents & Teachers as Allies (PTA) opens the door for schools to make a difference. The program will share how
to:
• Understand the difference between “bad behavior” and symptoms of a mental health condition.
• Recognize early warning signs.
• Communicate and partner with families effectively.
• Link to community services quickly.
• Create a supportive learning environment for all students
Tuesday, November 17
8 :30 - 10:00 A.M.
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Justin J. Gates and Christina Henagen Peer, Esq
“A Legislative and Judicial Analysis of Individualized Education Program Related Services”
U.S. and Ohio legislation and case law were analyzed as they correspond to related services provided through an
individualized education program (IEP) for students with disabilities. An overview of literature associated with
related services as part of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) as well as the legislative history of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will be provided. IDEA’s intended purpose specifically
corresponding to related services will be discussed as will the similarities and differences in cases involving related
services. Trends in case law and judicial decisions will also be presented. Lastly, guidelines will be provided to
various local, state, and national stakeholders and policy makers concerning the provision of related services for
students with disabilities.
10:15 A.M.-11:45 A.M.
Session Two
Melissa Martinez Bondy - “Meeting the Rights of Transgender Individuals within the School
Setting ”
Transgender issues have become a hot topic for schools nationwide, with an explosion of activism, media
attention, and controversy. Melissa Bondy will provide timely and practical guidance for school administrators for
handling these sensitive situations, including: an overview of key terms, current events and trends, a discussion of
the applicable legal frameworks, and considerations when addressing bathroom/locker room issues, bullying and
harassment, dress codes, athletics, and more.
12:00 - 1:30 P.M.
NAPSA Luncheon & Business Meeting
(Included in conference fee)
1:45 - 3:00 P.M.
Session Three
Dr. William DeMeo - “Managing the Chaos: Helping Early Adolescents Ride out the Emotional
and Social Roller Coaster!”
This dynamic and interactive workshop will assist educators involved with early adolescents who want to improve
their understanding of what makes these no-longer-children-but-not-yet-fully-adolescents tick. The presenter
combines his own experience with the findings of research and solid information from the literature to discuss just
about everything you should know about young adolescents. Understand the powerful connection between social
and emotional readiness and academic success in middle grades and how to use the most successful models for
advancing social and emotional literacy. By reviewing the recent research findings on brain development as well as
attention to the importance of emotional and social readiness, innovative and specific ideas will be explored
focusing on the social and emotional literacy of early adolescents.
Learning Objectives:
♦Participants will explore the challenges of working with early adolescents.
♦Participants will be review the last research of the impact of media and new technologies on young
adolescents’ social, emotional, and moral development.
♦Participants will develop practical and specific strategies to assist early adolescents to develop their social
and emotional intelligences.
3:15 - 4:30 P.M.
Session Four
Dr. William DeMeo – Continued
6:00-9:00 P.M.
Social Event – To Be Announced
(Optional)
Wednesday, November 18
8:00-8:30 A.M.
Breakfast Buffet/ Prizes
8:45-11:45 A.M.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. William DeMeo – “ NOT QUITE BURNED OUT But CRISPY AROUND THE EDGES”
Job burnout is one manifestation of excessive stress in the lives of every individual and especially among the helping
professions, such as administrators, teachers, doctor, nurses, and social workers. Due to our responsibilities of
working with people intensely over a period of time, and remaining supportive, calm, and objective, we are prone to
burnout. In addition, many of us have dual roles in today’s society, such as being caretakers and support givers of
family and friends, which make us even more susceptible to burnout.
Come with us for a fun, entertaining and relaxing workshop to learn how to prevent burnout in our profession. You
will have the opportunity to explore and experience healthy, inexpensive and practical strategies to deal with stress
in your life and prevent burnout as an administrator.
This workshop is especially for those who:
• Don’t have enough time to complete all that paper work;
• Are completely drained and exhausted when you come home from work;
• Director does not appear to understand your point of view;
• Deal with difficult individuals as part of your job;
If one of more of these statements describes you, then this workshop is for you!
Expected Outcomes
 Participants will identify stressors in their lives.
 Participants will explain the biological and psychological effects of stress.
 Participants will develop two effective and practical techniques for managing stress.
Join your Colleagues at the Embassy Suites Dublin
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NAPSA 2015 will meet your needs offering unmatched quality
in a personal environment.
Register Now!
Registration fee has not increased since 2008
Take advantage of early registration rates and utilize FY15 funds!
CEU’s available through Ashland University
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Offering Reasonable Room Rates
**Hotel Reservations**
The Embassy Suites Dublin is offering a special NAPSA rate of $129 (two room suite).
Included in the rate, are a daily full hot and cold cooked to order breakfast and a
complementary evening reception each evening. Place your reservations before October
24th to insure the NAPSA discount. Call 614-790-9000 for reservations and identify yourself
as part of the NAPSA group. A limited number of rooms are reserved so, make your
reservations as early as possible.
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President’s Reception on Sunday
Reception on Monday Evening
Business Luncheon on Tuesday
Above are included in your registration.