Summer Learning Symposium 2026
Summer Learning Symposium 2026
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Session Information
Session Information
Use the links below to revisit session content, including presentations, handouts, and related resources.
Join us for the opening event of the symposium, designed to welcome participants and set the stage for an inspiring conference full of learning. This session will include an introduction to special education administration and learning specialists, highlighting their roles, collaborations, and impact on student success. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Layne Pethick, who will explore the neuroscience of autism, providing insight into brain differences, learning patterns, and strategies to support students with autism effectively. Attendees will leave energized, informed, and ready to engage with the conference sessions ahead.
This session explores how to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that are both legally compliant and instructionally meaningful. Participants will review the key components of a high-quality IEP, including present levels, measurable goals, services, accommodations, and progress monitoring. The session will highlight common compliance pitfalls and provide practical strategies to ensure documentation clearly reflects student needs and supports effective instruction. Attendees will leave with tools and best practices to strengthen the quality, clarity, and compliance of the IEPs they develop and implement.
Accurate data is the backbone of effective instruction and progress monitoring, but collecting it doesn’t have to be time-consuming. This session explores practical strategies for streamlining data collection, choosing the right tools, and ensuring information is reliable, consistent, and actionable. Participants will learn methods to track academic, behavioral, and functional outcomes efficiently, interpret data to guide decision-making, and use it to inform IEP goals and instructional planning. Attendees will leave with tools and techniques to make data collection a seamless, purposeful part of their daily practice.
Students may be held to the same expectations, but the way their brains process information, regulate behavior, and respond to demands can look very different. This session explores how characteristics of autism, ADHD, and executive functioning differences impact behavior in the classroom. Participants will examine common behavior challenges through a neurodevelopmental lens and learn practical strategies for designing effective, supportive interventions. Attendees will leave with tools to better understand the “why” behind student behavior and implement interventions that promote regulation, independence, and success while maintaining high expectations.
Visual supports can transform learning for students with diverse needs, but creating them doesn’t have to be complicated. This session will show educators how to use Canva to design engaging visuals, schedules, social stories, and instructional supports that enhance understanding and independence. Participants will explore practical templates, customization tips, and ways to integrate these tools into daily routines and lessons. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use ideas and strategies to make learning more accessible, organized, and visually engaging for all students.
Inclusion is more than placing students in general education classrooms—it’s about meaningful participation and access to the curriculum. This session will explore strategies for intentionally designing instruction, supports, and classroom environments that promote engagement, collaboration, and success for students with diverse learning needs. Participants will learn how to foster an inclusive culture, differentiate instruction effectively, and remove barriers to learning. Attendees will leave with practical tools to ensure every student feels valued, supported, and actively involved in their educational experience.
A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is only effective when it is clearly developed, consistently implemented, and well understood by the team supporting the student. This session will guide participants through the essential components of creating a meaningful BIP based on functional behavior data, translating the plan into practical classroom strategies, and ensuring fidelity of implementation. Participants will also learn effective methods for training and supporting paraprofessionals and other staff responsible for carrying out the plan. Attendees will leave with practical tools to strengthen collaboration, improve consistency, and ensure behavior supports lead to positive student outcomes.
This session will highlight the Bridges math curriculum, an inquiry‑based, student‑centered math program focused on strengthening mathematical reasoning while fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment. Participants will explore how purposeful questioning, discourse, and problem‑based learning support all learners and promote deep understanding. Practical strategies and classroom‑ready takeaways will help educators implement Bridges with confidence and intention.
Sensory processing differences can significantly impact a student’s ability to learn, engage, and regulate behavior. This session will explore how to identify sensory needs and implement strategies that support self-regulation, attention, and participation in the classroom. Participants will learn practical approaches for creating sensory-friendly environments, integrating movement and sensory breaks, and tailoring supports to individual student needs. Attendees will leave with tools to help all students access learning more effectively and feel comfortable, focused, and successful throughout their day.
In this upbeat, hands-on session, we’ll explore the importance of choosing the right accommodations, teaching students and educators to use them with confidence, and stacking supports that lead to true independence. Expect practical strategies, lively discussion, and a little LEGO-inspired play to keep creativity flowing.
This professional development session introduces Special Education teachers to the Lexia literacy program and how it can be used to support students across all reading levels. Grounded in the science of reading and backed by over 40 years of research, Lexia provides adaptive instruction and real‑time data to help close reading gaps and accelerate learning. Participants will learn how Lexia supports students from hesitant decoders to fluent readers, and how teachers can use data insights to guide instruction, monitor progress, and strengthen literacy outcomes for every learner.
Join our dynamic teacher training session designed to enhance your classroom experience! Discover how to identify your current strengths and address challenges effectively. Dive into behavioral strategies that promote positive behaviors while reducing challenges. Gain insights into assessment procedures and lesson identification. You'll also learn and practice evidence-based strategies with advanced lesson plans and protocols from the STAR Curriculum. Analyze data to make informed instructional decisions and explore additional supports for consistent and faithful implementation in your classroom. This session promises to equip you with the tools needed for a successful teaching journey.
Social skills are critical for student success both inside and outside the classroom, yet they often require explicit instruction and support. This session will explore practical strategies and resources for teaching communication, collaboration, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills. Participants will learn how to embed social skills instruction into daily routines, provide meaningful practice opportunities, and track student progress. Attendees will leave with tools and ideas to foster positive social development and help students build the relationships and skills they need to thrive.
Paraprofessionals are essential partners in supporting students with diverse needs, but they require guidance, training, and ongoing coaching to be most effective. In this session, guest speaker Laura Kile will share strategies for mentoring, observing, and providing constructive feedback to paraprofessionals, ensuring consistency and fidelity in instructional and behavioral support. Participants will learn how to build strong collaborative relationships, set clear expectations, and empower paraprofessionals to positively impact student outcomes. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to strengthen their coaching practices and maximize the effectiveness of their support teams.
Explore how general and special educators can share responsibility for student success using the core ideas from Yes We Can! Learn how PLC structures support proactive, data‑driven decisions, targeted interventions, and high expectations for all learners. This streamlined session highlights practical moves that close gaps, build collective ownership, and create more inclusive, equitable learning environments.
Not all challenging behaviors stem from willful defiance—sometimes, students simply lack the skills to respond appropriately. This session will help educators distinguish between skill deficits and behavior-based challenges and explore strategies for addressing each effectively. Participants will learn how to assess underlying causes, teach missing skills, and implement targeted interventions that promote positive behavior and academic success. Attendees will leave with practical tools to respond thoughtfully, support growth, and reduce frustration for both students and educators.
Students’ behaviors often reflect their life experiences, including exposure to trauma, rather than intentional misbehavior. This session will guide educators in identifying trauma-related behaviors and understanding their impact on learning, relationships, and self-regulation. Participants will explore proactive strategies and supports that foster safety, trust, and resilience in the classroom. Attendees will leave with practical tools to respond with empathy, implement trauma-informed interventions, and create an environment where all students can thrive academically and emotionally.
This session introduces participants to GoalBook Threads, an approved AI-powered tool designed to streamline the IEP development process. Educators will learn how to use AI to generate high-quality present level statements, standards-aligned goals, track student progress, and create individualized supports efficiently. The session will also address best practices for integrating AI-generated content while maintaining compliance, personalization, and instructional relevance. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for leveraging AI to save time, enhance IEP quality, and ensure every student receives meaningful, targeted support.
Support students with diverse behavioral, social-emotional, and executive functioning needs through intentional classroom structures and targeted strategies. In this session, educators will explore practical approaches for strengthening emotional regulation, interpersonal skills, and independence within SEAS, SAIL, and iClass programs. Participants will leave with ready-to-use systems and tools to support student success in specialized classrooms.
Join our engaging and dynamic course designed to empower students through the development of prerequisite academic and functional skills. We offer personalized behavior supports tailored to each student's needs, ensuring a supportive learning environment. Dive into our comprehensive program that includes a well-structured curriculum, thoughtfully arranged classroom setups, and consistent routines. Our approach incorporates ongoing assessments and data-driven strategies, alongside enriching community-based instruction, to foster independence and success in every student.
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