SPED Featured Presenters

Arlette Deal

Session:

Enhancing Language Learning with Canva

My name is Arlette Deal and I am proud to be a part of the Digital Learning Department. I received a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from Wiley College, my Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Information Systems from Oklahoma City University and a Masters in Library Science from Texas Woman's University . I am certified to teach Secondary Education. This will be my twenty first year in education. I have a strong talent to develop and implement creative, hands-on curriculum that reaches every employees learning style and ability, empowering students to succeed and realize their individual goals.

Courtney Lopez

Session:

Meeting Sensory Needs To Manage Student Behavior

Courtney Lopez serves 5 primary campuses in Aldine ISD as a Special Education Counselor. She has been an educator for 22 years and has served students from early childhood through 12th grade as a teacher, intervention coordinator, and counselor. Mrs. Lopez completed her undergraduate studies in Mathematics at Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, Florida. She went on to earn a Master's Degree at Florida State University. Mrs. Lopez relocated to her hometown of Houston, TX in 2005, where she has spent most of her career in education. At home, Mrs. Lopez enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 sons.

Edgenuity

Sessions:

Getting Started With Edgenuity

Getting Started With MyPath

Edgenuity MyPathTM is a supplemental program designed to meet students where they are in reading and math—and give them exactly what they need to catch up, keep up, and get ahead. Edgenuity MyPath provides students with age-appropriate, online instruction and gives educators the ability to monitor academic progress easily. While the program is designed for middle and high school students, it covers skills and concepts as low as the third-grade level.

Emesha Calloway

Session:

SEL: Restorative Circles

Emesha Calloway is a talented and committed educator with 28 years of experience focused on student academic and social-emotional needs. She has served as a Kindergarten, first and second grade classroom teacher, CASE After-school Site Coordinator, BRICKS Elementary Behavior Intervention Specialist and SEL Culture Specialist. Supporting teachers at all levels and providing them with tools to promote positive classroom experiences is her passion. She has been a consistent district and campus level trainer providing academic, behavior and classroom management training. Mrs. Calloway is a proud Aldine ISD graduate and that connection makes her desire that all Aldine students have an outstanding educational experience.

Jamila Ashmeade-Brown

Session:

Snap & Read

Co:Writer

Jamila Ashmeade-Brown, M. Ed., began her educational career in 2008 after transitioning from the medical field as a trainer. She received her Bachelor’s degree from University of Phoenix in Healthcare Administration and a Master’s Degree from Grand Canyon University in Curriculum Instruction in Technology. She has over 11 years of experience in education that consists of being a special education resource/inclusion teacher, Dyslexia specialist, Instructional Technology Specialist. Jamila is currently a Digital Learning Specialist.

As a mother of three twice exceptional children, she has a passion for providing support to others that will allow them to leverage the playing field, improve their weaknesses and build on their strengths and stand out. She enjoys advocating for students and coaching adult learning in the area of universal design that integrates technology to allow for the different learning styles. I am a learner for life as there will always be discoveries to unearth. (Cognitive Dissonance)

Jennifer Cunningham

Session:

Understanding the BIP To De-escalate Student Behaviors

I am a 23 year professional school educator that has experience working with special education and general education students. My educational career has been devoted to coaching teachers and administrators to implement interventions and strategies across many school settings. These interventions and strategies have helped shift campus culture, student achievement and community connections. Some career highlights include speaking nationally about social and emotional learning curriculum integration within subject matter areas, and program development for campus leader achievement.

Jordan Beal

Session:

Transforming Center Time Intervention Using iPad in the Kindergarten Classroom

Hi I'm Jordan! I am an 11 year primary educator currently serving the district as a Digital Learning Specialist. I am a mother to two neurodivergent sons: one gifted, one autistic. I am passionate about equity in education and leveraging technology to make education engaging and accessible to all students.

Lakeisha Smith

Session:

Strategies For Deescalating Student Behavior In The classroom

An intellectual connoisseur, empathetic educator, calculated risk taker and a purveyor of purpose, LaKeisha R. Smith has committed her life to ensuring that ALL children receive an education that will afford them the opportunities needed to be their best self on any given day at any given moment. Born in Minneapolis, MN with deep roots in Louisiana, Ms. Smith is a two-time graduate of both Grambling State University as well as Prairie View A&M University where she has earned a total of four degrees. As a lifelong learner and a current Doctoral Student at Houston Christian University, LaKeisha continues to raise her level of expectation for herself and her colleagues by being a visible and accessible example of service, leadership and professionalism. Embarking upon her 22nd year in Education , LaKeisha embraces the mindset “to whom much is given, much is required.” During her 21 year tenure, she has served as a Teacher, Coach, Counselor, Assistant/Associate Principal, and Director of Counseling. Ms. Smith currently serves as Program Coordinator, SpEd Behavior and Discipline Supports in Aldine ISD.

Lourdes Busby

Session:

Using the Aldine Differentiation Template To Remove Barriers For Students

When I started in education it was supposed to be for 2 years while I finished my Biological and Physical Science Degree from the University of Houston Downtown. My life plan drastically changed within the first weeks working with Special Education students, and here I am 16 years later. In Special Education I started out as a paraprofessional and worked my way up to Resource Teacher, CoTeacher, Behavior Specialist, and SPED Department Chair. Education, I have learned over my 16 years, is not a job, it is a calling and a labor of Love.

Miyaka Ramos

Session:

Universal Design for Learning

Miyaka Ramos, M.Ed. graduated from Texas State University-San Marcos with a Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Special Education and a Master's Degree from Saint Joseph's University in Special Education with a certificate in Autism. She has over 10 years of experience in the self-contained classroom as a special education teacher and Primary SLC District Coach. She strives to provide a learning experience for her students to reach their maximum potential. Ms. Ramos is an Apple teacher, GoNoodle Ambassador and Seesaw Ambassador. She has presented throughout the special education department in Aldine ISD, SLC Conference, and TCCA Conferences. Ms. Griffith believes in the vision of Dr. Lovaas, an Applied Behavior Analyst, “If they can’t learn the way we teach, teach the way they learn."

Nicole Robertson

Session:

Role of the Case Manager

Nicole Robertson currently serves as the Program Manager of ARDs. Ms. Robertson has over 30 years of experience in education, 24 of those being in education. She has worked at all levels in the public school system; elementary, middle and high schools. Ms. Robertson has a passion for ensuring that administrators, teachers, parents and students are all familiar with rights and responsibilities as it relates to special education requirements, and ensuring that these processes run smoothly, so that ultimately our most at risk populations benefit from the safeguards afforded to them.

Ranesia Davenport Edwards

Session:

Specially Designed Instruction

I have taught for 7 years, served as an Instructional Coach, and am currently in my 15th year of Administration. I am a Leader, Mother, and Wife. My top 5 strengths are Achiever, Discipline, Focus, Learner, and Analytical. My life motto is "Words Matter, Feelings Matter, Choices Matter."

Renaissance

Sessions:

Back to the Basics of Star Assessments
Renaissance Data – Now What?
Basics of Freckle
Basics of myON

Renaissance connects assessment, instruction, and practice to give educators reliable data and valuable insights to support early learners as they develop the foundational skills they need to succeed.

Rita Oliver

Session:

Classroom Management: Preventive Classroom Behavior Strategies

I am native of Texas by way of Louisiana for twenty (20) years.

I graduated from University of Southwesterrn Louisiana with a BS degree in Computer Science and BA frorm College of Education and a graduate of Southern University MEd in Administration and Supervision and Curriculum and Instruction.

My husband and I enjoy traveling, ministring, and fellowshiping.

My hobbies are traveling, shopping, gaming and water sports.

Tanisha Jones, LPC

Session:

Strategies For Deescalating Student Behavior In The classroom

I have 25 years as an educator all in Aldine ISD. I currently have the pleasure of working with the best that Aldine has to offer at the GAP Center and Lane Compliance Program

Valeria Gomez

Session:

Mindfulness for Teachers

I am Ms. Gómez from Argentina living in Houston, lifetime learner, educator graduated as School Counselor from University of Saint Thomas. Aldine District employee since September 2009. I am always ready to serve, listen, and participate in our Aldine Community! United and stronger than ever with our SEL department team! I am a wife and a mother of two wonderful boys, Giuli 21 years old and Alessio 16 years old.

Valerie Reed

Sessions:

Inclusive Practices: Highly Effective Co Teaching Models

Let's Go Learn: Edge

Valerie Reed, is a two-time graduate of Prairie View A&M University. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Sociology. She is the mother of 3 children, Ryan 20, Kayla 19, and Micah 14. Valerie began her teaching career 18 years ago in Alief ISD and she now currently works in Aldine ISD as a Special Education District Coach. Valerie worked in CyFair ISD for 16 years. Valerie is also the author of 3 books and the coauthor of one book.

February 2020 Valerie was one of five teachers featured in TED TALK Education in San Antonio, Texas.

Valerie has been a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc for 32 years

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