Friday, February 6th Sessions
8:00-10:00- President’s Awards Breakfast
Palisades ABC
10:00-10:30- Break with the Vendors
Hall
10:30-11:20- CONCURRENT SESSIONS
A University-School Partnership in Planning, Implementing, and Assessing a Co-teaching Program
(TED) Christle, Todd, Cockrell, Sullivan, Delaney
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, All Levels
Presenters will describe the partnership between a middle school and university to design, implement,
and assess a co-teaching program for students with learning disabilities. Presenters will describe the
roles of the partners, the data analyzed, the factors that contributed to success, and the barriers
encountered along the way. They will discuss lessons learned and provide advice for educators
interested in co-teaching.
Palisades A
The Presumptive Eligibility and Reserve Capacity Programs
(CASE )Davis
Intended Audience: Parents, Professionals working with Preschoolers
This session will benefit parents of children under the age of three and professionals that work with these
families. It will provide some general information pertaining to the Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Program and specific information about the Presumptive Eligibility and Reserve Capacity Programs to
help parents better understand how these programs are accessed and how they work.
Palisades B
Utilizing Technology to Increase Student Gains Through Blended Learning
Austin
Intended Audience: Administrators
Using the Blended Learning Model has increased student achievement with all students. Properly
diagnosing a student’s current capabilities and how to provide differentiated tailored instruction for
students with a LMS (learning management system) can impact and empower students and close the
achievement gap.
Palisades C
What Disney Teaches Us About the World of Autism - Using Applied Behavior Analysis Strategies to
Promote Successful Interaction
(DADD) Lane
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
Drawing upon Disney songs and real-life situations, this session explores autism, applied behavior
analysis, and practical strategies for successful interaction with the ever growing population living with
autism.
Palisades D
The Peace Project
Phillips
Intended Audience: Teachers, Early Childhood Level
The Peace Project is grounded in methods that create sustainable positive change in the lives of our
young children. The premise of the project is exposure to positive experiences for young children
through the use of a variety of diversity education techniques. Our goals are achieved utilizing five
methods: staff education and support; family involvement and education; classroom materials and
activities; and technology. We work with children ages birth to 8, their parents and caregivers. By
working with this network of children and adults, we seek to create and foster a personal and collective
commitment to a global community built upon equality, justice and inclusion.
Palisades E
How to Establish an Adaptive Sports Program in Your School or Community
Ryan, Jennett, Dukes
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
Children with disabilities are at increased risk of health risk factors including obesity, often due to low
levels of physical activity and limited participation in sports. This presentation provides
recommendations for establishing successful adaptive sports leagues for children and youth with
disabilities in schools and other community-based recreational facilities.
Palisades F
Winthrop Think College-Postsecondary Options for Students with Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities
(DCDT) Cease-Cook, Sirico, Pattinson, Hill
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
Winthrop Think College is a postsecondary option for students with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. Our goal is to prepare students for competitive employment and active participation in local
communities. Session will highlight experiences from first semester of our program. The audience will
hear from the Director, students, and Peer Mentors.
Palisades G
Student Assistance Team/ Intervention Assistance Teams: The RTI Process, and Roles and
Responsibilities of Stakeholders
Ochieng-Sande
Intended Audience: Administrators
Are you a school or school district implementing Response to Intervention RTI? In this presentation you
will learn the RTI process, more importantly, the SAT/IAT process of /IAT process of referring struggling
learners. You will be exposed to samples of SAT/IAT forms to be completed by stakeholders, and the
step-by-step process of data based decision-making.
Palisades H
One Size Does Not Fit All – Removing Barriers and Creating Access with Universal Design For Learning
(SCDE) Murphy
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
This session will provide an explanation of the UDL framework, guidelines, and key questions to consider
when planning for instruction with learner variability in mind. The presenter will share tools and
resources for further exploration.
Palisades I
11:30-12:20- CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Implementing Effective Independent Reading Activities
(TED) Garrett, Morton, Pennington, Willis
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
This session will provide an overview of the importance of independent reading daily to facilitate
reading achievement. Multiple activities will be shared to engage learners across levels.
Palisades A
Supervision of Para-Professionals
(CASE) Mohr
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
Many educators would benefit from receiving direct training and advisement on the supervision of the
para-professionals/teaching assistants in their classrooms. In many cases, however, no formal training
or support is provided on how to do so effectively and positively through university or employment
setting training. This session seeks to provide useful tools and strategies to support the needs of
classroom teachers to successfully fulfill their supervision duties.
Palisades B
Transition Planning and Resilience through Mindset Education
(DCDT) Sharrief, Tally, Harrison
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, High School Level
In this presentation, Nashid Sharrief, will share how the team at Crabapple Middle School, Roswell, GA
increased student academic performance and impacted future graduation rates using a curriculum
called MyGraduationPlan and the 7 Mindsets Academy. The program provides effective transition
planning along with mindset training to increase student motivation. He will discuss actual strategies
used with students and teachers. This program is inclusive of general and special education students.
Palisades C
Co-Teaching: Which Model is Right for You?
Sheehan
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
This session will focus on the different models of collaboration and co-teaching. Teachers will learn to
assess their own teaching styles and relate these traits to the various co-teaching models. Participants
will walk away with a better understanding of the strengths and challenges of co-teaching.
Palisades D
Elementary Math Interventions and Formative Assessment
Witzel, Causey
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
Students who struggle early in math tend to struggle later as well. However, there are researchsupported interventions that can be implemented in either the core or intervention setting. In this
session, we will share math intervention strategies proven to support the learning of students with
disabilities and at-risk concerns.
Palisades E
Autism Resource That Works!
Blackburn, Keiper
Intended Audience: Teachers, Middle/High School Level
Learn how middle school students with high functioning autism are being served in a specialized
resource room for them. During this session we will be showing an overview of how our program works.
We will also share some great resources for teaching social skills to students with high functioning
autism.
Palisades F
21st Century Skills via Student Led IEPs
(DCDT) Kennedy
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
Embark on a journey embracing the 4Cs of 21st century learning as middle school students and beyond
lead their own IEPs. Learn how Google Drive allows students to embrace collaboration, communication,
critical thinking, and creativity while leading their own IEPs from start to finish.
Palisades G
Behavioral Support: Teachers' PLC
Lannou
Intended Audience: Administrators
Come join us to find out what we are doing to support our teachers faced with educating our most
behaviorally challenging students within the schools. We have developed a PLC just for these teachers
which focus on targeted PD, strategies, and support to improve the teacher’s effectiveness within the
classroom.
Palisades H
Building Capacity in the Special Education Workforce through CREATE
(SCDE) Sutton, Wieler
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, All Levels
Sponsored by SCDE’s Office of Special Education Services, CREATE is a personnel preparation program
that virtually erased non-licensed special education teachers in South Carolina and builds capacity in
teachers and related service professionals. This session includes a program overview and results of a
study published in Rural Special Education Quarterly.
Palisades I
12:20-1:40- LUNCH ON YOUR OWN, SUBDIVISION MEETINGS (please see posted schedule at the
registration desk)
1:50-2:40- CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Graduate Programs in Special Education: Because improving works for everyone!
(TED) Christle, Boggs, O’Connor, Springer, Layton
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels, Students
Presenters will describe the graduate programs offered at their institution, including the costs and
benefits. They will describe courses offered and data on graduates. They will explain why teachers may
want to pursue a graduate degree in special education.
Palisades A
Workload Vs. Caseload
(CASE) Balough
Intended Audience: Administrators
This session will define how the Rock Hill Schools changed from a special education Case Load allocation
model to a Work Load allocation model during the 2013-14 school year for its elementary programs,
reduced self-contained placements for students with mild disabilities, and increased student access to
the general curriculum. Tips and “lessons learned” will be shared regarding meeting the challenges and
rewards of this systems change.
Palisades B
Let It Grow!
(Student) Hoyle, Miles, Patterson, Jeffers Gray, Lindsay, Metts
Intended Audience: Students
This presentation provides a forum for teacher candidates from colleges/universities across the state to
share ways their CEC student organizations develop meetings, fundraising, service opportunities, and
membership. Information on ways to initiate student chapters will be included.
Palisades C
Using a Hierarchy of Supportive Consequences to Address Challenging Behaviors of Students with ASD
(DADD) Leach, Helf, Waltz, Bullard
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
This session shares a systematic procedure for responding to the challenging behaviors of students with
ASD using a hierarchy of supportive consequences instead of punitive consequences. Outcomes for
specific students will be shared.
Palisades D
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for Individuals with Disabilities
Ryan, Traylor, Jennett, Dukes
Intended Audience: Parents, Teachers
Obesity affects over 12.5 million children, with the highest rates reported among individuals with
disabilities. Compared to their non-disabled peers, individuals with disabilities have decreased muscle
strength and higher BMI. This presentation reviews best practices for health and fitness for individuals
with disabilities including diet/nutrition, and developing a personalized physical fitness program.
Palisades E
PALS Peer Tutors (Reverse Inclusion)
Smathers, Sherman
Intended Audience: Teachers, Middle/High School Level
Come hear about a successful middle school reverse inclusion opportunity! PALS Peer Tutors is an
elective class offered to general education seventh and eighth grade students. Peer Tutors assist
students in a MOID classroom with academic, social, leisure, and daily living skills. This presentation will
show how the classroom teachers implement the program, grading procedures, and the positive impact
this program has had on our entire school!
Palisades F
Common Core: Writing Strategies for Native and Non-Native speakers of English with LD
Schneider
Intended Audience: Teachers, Middle/High School Level
Participants will learn research-evidenced multisensory structured strategies to improve the writing
skills of both native and non-native speakers of English with classified learning disabilities and those on
RTI plans. Implementation examples along with resources for use in participants’ settings are provided.
Palisades G
Motivating Exceptional Learners to Increase Student Outcomes: Conventional and Nonconventional
Strategies to Increase Students’ Reading and Math Skills
Ochieng-Sande
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
Are you interested in finding out ways to get your students motivated to learn? In this session, the
presenter will share some of the strategies that used to improve students’ reading and math skills while
sustaining student engagement and participation. It will be a fun filled session on conventional and
nonconventional strategies that have worked with students who have mild/moderate to severe
disabilities.
Palisades H
Virtual SC: Increasing Access for all Students
(SCDE) Montgomery
Intended Audience: Administrators
VirtualSC provides individualized online options for learners in grades 7 through Adult Education,
including students with accommodations. This session will explore the mission of VirtualSC and the
varied educational solutions that we offer to the students, schools, and communities of South Carolina.
Palisades I
2:40-3:10- BREAK WITH VENDORS
3:10-4:00- CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Writing Proposals for External Funding: General Guidelines and the Importance of Collaboration
(TED) Yell, Marshall, Plotner
Intended Audience: Administration, Teachers, All Levels, Students
Writing grants for funding requires that applicants adhere to a few basic principles. These principles
apply regardless of the size of the grant application; from small mini-grant applications for $100.00 to
large federal grants for over $100,000,000. The purpose of this session is to review and discuss these
critical principles, especially the need for collaboration with colleagues.
Palisades A
IDEA Pitfalls and Practical Solutions (Extended Session 3:10-5:00)
(CASE) Turner
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, All Levels, Students
IDEA Pitfalls and Practical Solutions will offer a variety of day to day issues supported by court cases as
well as OCR Grievances that reflect whether or not the school district could defend their actions.
Participants will understand the pitfalls to avoid and will learn a variety of options, under IDEA, to solve
issues throughout the day. Participants will be updated on court decisions as well as hot topics in areas
of discipline, IEP development and implementation, and general compliance issues that can lead to Due
Process. The practical relevance of options that benefit student with disabilities will be discussed.
Participants will also be involved via technology and other participatory activities during this 100 minute
session.
Palisades B
Behavior Modification Intervention for Mild Disabilities
Pae, Whitaker, Jones
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
Combining bibliotherapy, vicarious reinforcement, modeling, and self-modeling established a positive
behavior intervention. This presentation will share how to implement and assess this behavior
modification as well as share the results of its use with students with mild disabilities.
Palisades C
Inclusion at its Best With Differentiated Assessment Leading the Way
(DADD) Swofford
Intended Audience: Administrators
Differentiated assessment is difficult. Administrators must provide the coaching necessary in order to
empower educators to consistently and successfully implement such assessment within an inclusive
environment. Participants will discuss the necessary teacher support involved with inclusion and take
part in a simulation of differentiated assessment within an inclusive setting.
Palisades D
Antecedent Interventions
Taylor
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
Dealing with disruptive behaviors in your classroom? Addressing these behaviors proactively is the
answer. Participants will leave with easy to use, research-based antecedent interventions to reduce
disruptive classroom behaviors. These interventions require no additional time, planning, or materials.
They simply require implementation.
Palisades E
Dress -up Your Instruction: How Google App(aral) can Transform Your Classroom
Jones
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
Google Apps open doors for innovative practice of traditional interventions. Find out how you can use
these free tools to design instruction that meets the needs of all learners.
Palisades F
Evidence-Based Practices for AU, ID, and DD
Phillips
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, All Levels
TeachTown®:Social Skills teaches socially-valid skills through animated episodes, lesson plans, classroom
activities and homework. Students learn these skills through video modeling, animation, social stories
and relatable storytelling. It assesses students behaviorally by direct observation and helps educators
prioritize, plan and evaluate instruction and interventions (PBIS).
Palisades G
Expanding the Transition Alliance of SC
(DCDT) Ivester, Carlson-Britting, Cordoni,
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
The Transition Alliance of South Carolina (TASC) recently started an effort to support local interagency
teams in developing and carrying out secondary transition-focused strategic plans. Participating teams
receive ongoing assistance from partner agencies; including stakeholder training, technical assistance,
and the provision of resources needed to carry out individual plans. Come to this session to learn more
about this initiative, how it can benefit your local team/community, and how to get involved in this
effort.
Palisades H
Family Connection: Resources 101
(Family Connections) Nienhuis
Intended Audience: Parents, Professionals
As parents of a child with special needs, it our duty to find and utilize what resources will work best for
our children. This workshop will provide information about the statewide resources available to you and
your family. Find your "Voice", and learn to develop a plan of action for your family
Palisades I
4:10- 5:00- CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Crossing the Barriers, Expanding Knowledge, Fostering Relationships: Teacher Preparation Partnering
with Community Organizations
Delport, Kram, Richmond, Howard
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, All Levels
Practicing teachers and administrators will benefit from this session by being exposed to the importance
of partnering with and learning about special education students beyond the school setting. Teacher
educators will be provided with materials and information to justify and support the placement of their
students in informal educational settings as well.
Palisades A
RBHS: Counseling and Behavioral Support Services for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities
Whitaker
Intended Audience: Administrators
Rehabilitative Behavioral Health Services (RBHS) is a program for Medicaid-eligible individuals with
emotional and/or behavioral disabilities. RBHS provides an array of services funded through Medicaid
including counseling, family support, assessment, behavior modification, and psychosocial rehabilitative
services. This presentation will introduce participants to RBHS, how it is funded, and what it can do for
students.
Palisades C
Preparing Students with ID and DD for Post-Secondary Education
(DADD) Helms
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
The purpose of this presentation is to provide a rationale for participation of students with intellectual
and developmental disabilities in post-secondary educational programs. Inclusion in all aspects of a
student’s life is essential to the development of skills needed to successfully transition into the
workplace and independent living. Preparation for a post-secondary program should begin as early as
elementary school through secondary with emphasis on developing focus on communication, reading,
writing, and math fluency for learning, leisure activities, and career readiness, age-appropriate social
and functional skills
Palisades D
Project Based Learning
Patterson, Tuten
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
Students tackling realistic problems as they would be solved in the real world. Students having control
over their own learning. Students working collaboratively. Students building 21st century skills. Teachers
serving as facilitators and guides of inquiry and reflection. What is this? Is it too good to be true? Is it all
hype? Is it the greatest thing since sliced bread? Come to this session and find out!
Presenters will share personal experiences with project-based learning (PBL) and all the little tidbits they
learned along the way.
Palisades E
Google It!! Behavior Data Made Easy
Blackburn, Keiper
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
This session is all about using Google Drive to easily collect behavior data. Come learn how to create a
Google Form in order to collect behavior data from teachers, use Google Spreadsheet to analyze data,
and even setup reminders for teachers to complete forms using Google Calendar.
Palisades F
Be Prepared to PASS (Practical and Simple Strategies to Improve Test Scores)
Peterson
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
This session provides teachers with a portfolio of strategies for improved achievement. Your students
will CRAM on a multiple choice test, find ORDER in math, and SCOPE out good writing. The strategies
are easy to teach and remember. Use the strategies to help your students become independent
learners test takers.
Palisades G
Fostering a Growth Mindset for Successful Transition
(DCDT) Moore
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
This presentation will equip teachers to foster a Growth Mindset in their transition students.
Participants will learn how Growth Mindset can support students' self-advocacy goals and increase
motivation. We will discuss strategies for fostering Growth Mindset with the goal of enhancing the
relevance and effectiveness of student-led IEP meetings.
Palisades H
How to Support and Engage Families with Special Healthcare Needs
(Family Connections) Nienhuis
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
During this session, the Executive Director of Family Connection of SC will introduce the idea of parent to
parent support and will explain how Family Connection of SC can help your families
Palisades I
5:15-6:00- STUDENT POSTER SESSIONS AND SNACKS
6:00-7:00- COLLEGE BOWL
Saturday
8:00-8:50- CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Even MORE Functional Technology Activities for Students with Significant Intellectual Disabilities
(TED) Magee
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
Design functional lessons using age-appropriate technology. The presenter will demonstrate activities
that integrate age-appropriate applications for students with significant disabilities using the iPad or PC.
More than just a list of apps, see lessons designed to promote functional technology skills, recreational
options, and increase participation in academic and social activities.
Palisades A
Legal Issues in Special Education
(CASE) Thompson
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, All Levels
Orange jumpsuits not your thing? Not interested in standing in the unemployment line? If not, come to
this session to learn about the latest legal rulings affecting special education. This session will focus on
what other districts did wrong so that you can avoid ending up in due process, a state complaint, or an
OCR investigation.
Palisades B
Enhancing Your Instructional Skills Through Differentiation
Enter
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
Participants will expand their knowledge surrounding differentiation by engaging in a variety of activities
using effective differentiation strategies as the avenue for uncovering foundational knowledge.
Participants will leave the presentation with new “tools” for their toolbox and a mindset that they can
meet the needs of all of their students.
Palisades C
Stop Human Trafficking. Start in Your Classroom
Nouvelle
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
This session will present an awareness of the human trafficking problem in the United States, with up to
date statistics. Then a curriculum, designed for 9th and 10th grade students will be reviewed, including
a look at the facilitator's guide, the student's guide, and videos that accompany the sessions.
Palisades D
Collaboration: The Key to Successful Transition
(DCDT) Shortt, Roberts, Beeks
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
Successfully navigating the barriers to collaboration with agencies, community businesses and other
Departments within the High School is necessary for effective transition programs. Collaboration has
allowed Laurens School District 55 to offer a broader scope of opportunities for work training,
community internships and on-campus entrepreneurial activities than would have been possible
working alone.
Palisades E
How to Fit a Square Peg in a Round Hole
King, Davis, Pack, Timmons, Smith
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
What do you do with those students who can't sit still and do things that get on your last nerve?? Come
join us for some fun reliable solutions! This workshop is for teachers of ALL grade levels.
Palisades F
“Yippy! I Aced My Job Interview!”
Clayton, Kelley, Bostick, Smith
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
This session includes introductory videos, web searches and informal survey worksheets to prepare
students for a successful interview. The presenters will provide pre and post assessments to ensure
student learning. Upon completion of the 10-day unit, students will partake in a mock interview with
professionals from the community and/or vocational rehabilitation staff members. Lesson plans will be
given out for the entire unit!
Palisades G
Practical Data Collection Tools for Teachers
(CCBD) Hurst, Jamme, Pinkney, Cunningham
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
Learn techniques to collect data on student behavior and how to use the data for parent conferences,
various team referrals, or for IEP development and goal writing. Session will focus on types of data
collection and how to choose the right method. Participants will be provided with templates that can be
customized for individual needs. We will look at how this data can help us choose appropriate
interventions and monitor the effectiveness of our interventions.
Palisades H
Understanding "At-Risk" of Social Failure Part I
Cooper
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
This session will identify various aspects of some individuals who are “at-risk” for school and social
failure; individuals with a BIP or behavioral goals. Strategies of how to help these students begin to
settle into an alternate way of being to be success in school will be discussed.
Palisades I
9:00-9:50- CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Using Student Data to Develop Progress Monitoring
(TED) Reed
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, All Levels
Providing teacher candidates with their first experience of creating a criterion-reference test (CRT) and
of implementing curriculum-based measurement (CBM) procedures during remedial instruction allows
candidates to gain knowledge, skills, and understanding about how assessment drives instruction. Also,
they learn how to consult and collaborate with professionals in the field.
Palisades A
Improving Learning Capacity by Connecting with the New Science of Learning
Armes
Intended Audience: Administrators
Less than two decades ago, science believed that learning capacity was fixed at birth. Fortunately,
breakthroughs in neuroscience have demonstrated that this view is inaccurate. By translating research
into real world application that includes cognitive training, schools are accelerating learning in multiple
populations and showing continuous improvement in student performance.
Palisades B
Using Excel and Word to Keep Yourself Sane
Walkup
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels, Students
Having trouble managing all of your IEP paperwork? Can't keep up with parent contacts or behavior
data? Let me help! I'll provide you with templates, spreadsheets, folders, and ideas for using technology
to make your life easier (PCs only). I'll also provide you with a LiveBinder link where you can access and
download everything.
Palisades C
Embedding ABA Interventions in Elementary Inclusive Classrooms to Meet the Needs of Students with
ASD
(DADD) Coffee
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
This presentation will provide case study examples of students with ASD who have been successfully
included in elementary general education classrooms using embedded ABA interventions to address
their individual needs. Intervention programs will be shared as well as video clips demonstrating how
the interventions are delivered in the classroom.
Palisades D
Our Voices Count: LGBT Educator Experiences and Its Impact on Teacher Education
Annuziata
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, All Levels
As teacher educator preparation programs seek to address issues of diversity, one group is often
marginalized and silenced. The voices of LGBT educators are presented in this session and resources
and ideas to enhance teacher education preparation are shared.
Palisades E
Survival Signs 101
Macker, McAbee
Intended Audience: Teachers, Early Childhood Level
This session will provide 100 basic signs for school and home use. This is a "make it/take it" session and
each participant will leave with a flip chart for personal and classroom use. Perfect for kids who are nonverbal, have limited language, have a hearing loss, and typically developing students as well!
Palisades F
The Ins and Outs of ClemsonLIFE and Implementing a Healthy Lifestyle for Students with Intellectual
Disabilities
(DCDT) Walters
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
College is not for everyone. However, many students desire a college experience, including students
with intellectual disabilities. It is for this reason that many colleges and universities now offer
Comprehensive Postsecondary Transition Programs, like ClemsonLIFE. These programs offer inclusive
social activities; participation in college courses; along with instruction on independent living skills,
employment skills, and social skills with the goal of independent living and gainful employment to the
greatest extent possible for each student. Learn more about the ClemsonLIFE program and
implementing healthy lifestyles for students with intellectual disabilities.
Palisades G
Read to Succeed (R2S): Implications for Students with Disabilities (SWD) and their Teachers
(SCDE) Walsh, Bequeath-Collom
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
This session will provide participants with updated information for the Read to Succeed Legislation that
was signed into law in June 2014. Information regarding implementations will be shared as well.
Palisades H
LifeSavers for Educators Who Work with "At-Risk" Youth: Part 2
Cooper
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
This session provides tips to educators who work with “at-risk”/high needs students. It is a follow
through from a previous session and for educators who need lifesaving tools for themselves. Strategies
to aid in working with students and how educators can avoid burn out will be shared in this session.
Palisades I
9:50-10:20- BREAK/HOTEL CHECKOUT
10:20-11:10
After School Matters
Delport, Garrett, Davis, Sullivan
Intended Audience: Administrators
The purpose of this session is to present research that explored the types of activities children with
disabilities engage in after school as well as those they are interested in. The research outcomes will be
compared to the national and state statistics for all students in after school activities, as well as
implications of the results will be discussed.
Palisades A
So, you want to be a Special Education Director?
(CASE) Simmons
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels, Administrators
A panel of experienced Special Education Directors will discuss preparation programs, duties, and
responsibilities of a Special Education Director.
Palisades B
Strategies to Develop Content Area Vocabulary With a focus on Non-Native Speakers
Schneider, Csiszer, Williamson
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
Participants engage in research-evidenced activities to increase exceptional learners’ content area
vocabulary knowledge in speaking, reading, writing and listening activities. While the shared strategies
help all exceptional learners, a specific focus on non-native speakers of English assists attendees in also
meeting the needs of this consistently increasing group of learners.
Palisades C
Reducing Problem Behavior, Increasing Instruction Time (Extended session 10:20-12:10)
(CCBD) Jackson
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
In this jam-packed session, participants will learn research-based strategies and techniques designed to:
Improve student focus, drastically reduce problem behavior, and increase instruction time.
Palisades D
What am I supposed to do with all these kids with Autism? (Extended session 10:20-12:10)
Safa, Taylor
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, All Levels
Participants will have: an understanding of the school life of students with autism, a working knowledge
of a district’s framework to provide supports and services to these students, and knowledge of available
national research on best practices for students with autism.
Palisades E
Barriers to Inclusion for Students with EBD
Mauro, Habib, Ryan
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
Who Cares About Kelsey? is an award winning documentary by Dan Habib that will make viewers
reconsider the "problem kids" in their own high schools and spark new conversations about an
education revolution that's about empowering – not overpowering – youth with emotional and
behavioral disorders (EBD). Excerpts from the documentary will be shown followed by a panel discussion
that focuses on the barriers to inclusion of students with EBD. The panel will be led by the film’s
Director, and experts within the field of teaching students with EBD.
Palisades F
Future Success Transition Program
(DCDT) Raison, Lummie
Intended Audience: Teachers, High School Level
Want your resource students to go to college or enter the workplace prepared? The Future Success
Transition Program prepares students for a successful future by making transition relevant and hands
on. Learn how to integrate transition throughout the school year, not just at the annual IEP meeting.
Palisades G
Supports for Accessing the General Curriculum for Teachers of Students with Significant Cognitive
Disabilities
(SCDE) Watkins, Daniels
Intended Audience: Teachers of Students Taking Alternate Assessment
Come and find out the latest developments in Alternate Assessment, resources and supports for
accessing the general curriculum, and what it all means for you in your classroom.
Palisades H
Handwriting Made Easier
Shuman
Intended Audience: Teachers, Early Childhood/Elementary Levels
Come and learn techniques and strategies for teaching and developing handwriting skills in your
classroom. This session will include materials, apps, and best practices.
Palisades I
11:20-12:10- CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Practitioners guide to providing programming to increase the success of students with and at Risk for
EBD
(CCBD) Delport
Intended Audience:
Participants will review the EBP and Dispositions assessment tool developed to assess their current
programming and environments to identify potential strengths and areas, which need attention.
Participants will be introduced to the ways in which this tool can be used for self-assessment as well as
systemic review by administration and team members to address gaps and build on strengths.
Palisades A
Other Options for Special Education Majors
Googe
Intended Audience: Students, Teachers, All Levels
So you are a special education major, but you have decided teaching may not be for you. This session
will explore other options and careers related to the field of special education.
Palisades B
Efficient, Effective, and Informed Instruction in Mathematics
Witzel, Turner
Intended Audience: Administrators, Teachers, Middle/High School Level
Assessing mathematics performance of students with disabilities, especially those higher grades, can be
especially troubling. However, with advancements in assessment, there are new and efficient ways to
inform instructional practice. In this session, we will share formative assessment strategies that
immediately impact instruction and curriculum.
Palisades C
Understanding and Utilizing Best Practices in Monitoring Progress for Students with Disabilities
Parrish, Davies, Glenn, Murphy
Intended Audience: Teachers, Elementary Level
Using progress monitoring helps inform instructional decision making when working with students with
disabilities. This session will focus on: understanding various Progress monitoring measures,
understanding information that can be collected from these measures, and making instructional
programming decisions based on data collected from progress monitoring measures
Palisades F
Parent Engagement with Challenging Parents
Minichan, Dinea
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
Participants will be informed about the barriers to parental engagement, learn about strategies and
interventions that teachers can use at the classroom level, and learn about strategies and interventions
that administrators can use at the school level
Palisades G
The Eyes and Ears of Technology: Leveling the Playing Field for Students Who Are Blind or Deaf
Park, Jones, Herzberg
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
Technology can be a great equalizer to allow students who are visually impaired, blind, hard-of-hearing,
or deaf to be engaged academically and socially in their school program. Come and find out what new
technology is available and what technology you may already have in your classroom that you could use
to help your students succeed.
Palisades H
Sensory Strategies that Work
Shuman, Tyczynski
Intended Audience: Teachers, All Levels
This session will discuss using a Sensory Area within an Autism classroom to improve self-regulation
skills. Through collaborative experiences, we will discuss establishing a sensory area within the
classroom, teaching students to use objects appropriately, and incorporating it throughout the school
day.
Palisades I
1:00-2:00- POLICY PANEL
2:10-3:15- REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY