1. Bringing School Communities Together Through Meaningful Inclusion

Presenter(s): Mike Bovino, Unified Sports

• Come join us to learn how the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS) program transforms the lives of K-12 students with and without disabilities, promotes meaningful inclusion, and contributes to socially inclusive and enriching school communities. The session will provide information about the structure and effectiveness of the three UCS components, how they are implemented, and success stories from different schools about the positive impact on students and overall climate. It also will showcase how UCS is conducted in high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools.

2. Unboxed: How Authentic Connection Creates Meaningful Change

Presenter(s): Mara Bell, Parent Advocate

• Through sharing her journey, humor, and unfiltered truth-telling, Mara helps educators, leaders, and families examine the unconscious boxes they’ve been placed in—and the ones they’re placing others in, too. She challenges audiences to ditch outdated norms, center the family voice, and lead with authentic connection.

3. Amplify Every Voice: Inclusive Communication & Storytelling Strategies for Stronger School Communities

Presenter(s): Gianna Harrison, Allerton Hill Communications

• In today’s diverse school communities, ensuring that all voices are heard—and truly understood—is essential for fostering an inclusive culture. This session will explore practical strategies for district leaders to enhance communication equity by leveraging technology, storytelling, and intentional messaging. We'll discuss how to break down communication barriers through ADA compliance, AI-powered translation tools, and innovative digital solutions to connect with historically underrepresented families. Additionally, we’ll dive into the power of storytelling to celebrate student and staff experiences, particularly among special education populations, new American families, and other groups. Too often, these voices are left out of district narratives, but we’ll demonstrate how to share their stories authentically and respectfully.

4. STEELS for Admin: What to Look For 

Presenter(s): Alyssa Moore, IU1 Curriculum Specialist

•  Join us for a session to help build familiarity with the PA STEELS Standards.  Participants will explore key instructional shifts, discover what high-quality science instruction looks like in classrooms, and learn how to support and evaluate effective STEELS-aligned teaching.  Administrators will walk away with "look-fors" to guide observations within your schools. 

1. Legal Pitfalls In Special Education

Presenter(s): Trish Andrews, Andrews & Price

• This session will focus on legal issues in Special Education. The area of special education has been a litigious area in education law and mistakes and errors can be costly for school district. We will discuss how schools can avoid common legal mistakes often raised in due process hearings.

2. Building Minds: Using LEGO for Social and Emotional Learning in K-12 Education

Presenter(s): Sarah D'Urzo, IU1 Coordinator for Innovation and Design

• In this interactive workshop, school leaders will explore the therapeutic benefits of using LEGO to support the social and emotional learning of K-12 students. Through engaging hands-on activities and group discussions, participants will experience firsthand how LEGO can enhance emotional expression, reduce stress, and foster creativity in students. Attendees will also learn practical strategies for integrating LEGO into their school, helping students build resilience, problem-solving skills, and improve social-emotional development. This session equips school leaders and educators with valuable tools to create a positive, supportive learning environment that promotes both emotional well-being and academic success for all students.

3. Burnout to Breakthrough: The 7 Mindsets of Resilient Leaders

Presenter(s): Barb Maimone, Everyday Wellness

• Leadership can often feel overwhelming, with the constant pressure to meet diverse expectations, support others, and balance personal and professional demands. But what if the key to breaking through burnout lies in shifting your mindset? In this interactive session, specifically designed for educational leaders, you’ll learn how to activate the transformative power of the 7 Mindsets framework to thrive in your role and create a positive ripple effect at work and in life. This session isn’t just about surviving burnout—it’s about breaking through to become the leader you aspire to be. Leave with actionable strategies, renewed energy, and a mindset ready to turn challenges into opportunities for success.

4. Transform Your District with AI

Presenter(s): Teresa Brown, IU1 Curriculum Specialist

• Ready to harness AI's potential in education but unsure where to begin? This session introduces district leaders to a systematic approach for AI integration that aligns with your educational vision. We’ll explore frameworks for understanding AI's transformative role in teaching and learning as well as practical insights for developing teacher guidance documents that support consistent district-wide implementation. While this session previews our comprehensive workshop series (August 6-7) designed to empower administrative teams in district-wide AI integration, everyone will leave with actionable first steps to lead AI adoption in your district.

1. Beyond Boundaries: Building Inclusive Schools with Include Me

Presenter(s): Nicole Emory, Include Me

• This session will highlight aspects of the Include Me program and implementation of inclusive practices, offering attendees a range of insights and perspectives aligned to evidence-based practices. Presenters will explore how schools can go beyond boundaries to create environments where everyone is feels valued, respected and included. 

2. Your Learning Neighborhood: Resources for Students, Families, and Educators

Presenter(s): Denice Pazuchanics, WQED

• PBS is a treasure trove of digital and non-digital resources for educators. WQED Education Department staff provide a comprehensive overview of the most useful and well-liked PBS programs and media tools. Explore the full range of PBS materials on literacy, numeracy, and social and emotional wellness in this fast-paced session that integrates games with books, apps, and videos, while connecting home to school and back. You’ll be amazed and well-equipped to harvest every PBS tool! Learn about PBS Learning Media. Find out what’s new and explore the many ways in which PBS programming naturally embeds best practices and rich content into a broad range of programs. PBS materials for parents, students and teachers will be provided.

3. Building Neuro-Inclusive Spaces: UDL and Accessibility Strategies for Success

Presenter(s): Bryan Dean, UDL/CAST

• In today's dynamic landscapes, fostering a diverse and inclusive space leverages the power of creativity and human design. This webinar will delve into the critical intersection of neuro-inclusive design, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and accessibility within workplace settings. We will explore practical strategies to design environments that support choice, variety, and agency for every individual. Participants will learn how to implement UDL principles to enhance communication, collaboration, and productivity, while also addressing key accessibility considerations. By understanding and embracing neurodiversity, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce and cultivate a culture of belonging. Goals: Understand the concept of neurodiversity and its relevance to work environments. Understand the impact of sensory environments on neurodiverse individuals; Integrate UDL principles to optimize cognitive well-being, learning, and productivity; Understand the connection between physical space, accessibility, and performance; Explore strategies to assess and improve the neuro-inclusivity of their workplaces.

4. The Importance of Structured Literacy

Presenter(s): Tracey Czajkowski, IU1 Curriculum Specialist

• We now know how to teach people of all ages how to read. Understanding the necessary components of literacy and various ways to engage the learner in the process are critical. Teachers and administrators need to be aware of these steps and provide multiple practices and applications of these skills and strategies. 

1. Creating Innovative & Inclusive Learning Environments

Presenter(s): Erin Whitaker, Fluxspace

• We know that one size does not fit all when it comes to educating our students and there is always the need to differentiate. The same holds true for the spaces our students learn in, but classrooms are often outfitted with rows of clunky desks and hard seats that are not conducive to learning. Learn why flexible learning spaces are important in our schools and ways to revitalize your space by updating furniture pieces, changing the layout of your space, and creating an environment that meets the needs of today’s learners. Attendees should come with a specific space in mind that they would like to reimagine. 

2. E-Colors: Elevating Leadership Through Effective Communication

Presenter(s): Dr. Kristin Szewczyk, IU1 Assistant Executive Director

• E-Colors-in-Education (EciE) is a globally recognized personality diversity program designed to help students, educators, and leaders become effective communicators and intentional leaders. Effective leadership begins with self-awareness—understanding your personality style, leveraging strengths, and managing potential limitations. This session provides a brief overview of the E-Colors Module 1: Self and Team Awareness, which explores how personality diversity impacts communication, teamwork, performance, and leadership. Participants will gain practical tools to improve communication immediately and engage in personal intervention strategies to enhance their leadership skills. E-Colors equips individuals to better understand their own and others’ personality styles, fostering improved interactions, communication, and leadership effectiveness.

3. Turning the Tides: Strategic Solutions for Attendance

Presenter(s): Sam Taylor, IU1 Curriculum Specialist

• This session will focus on the major factors that influence attendance in elementary, middle, and high school. It will provide research driven practices for addressing chronic absenteeism and will also model a 3-Tiered approach for attendance that can be used by schools.

4. Coping Isn't Enough: Building Resilience in Students

Presenter(s): Charisse Bowman, IU1 Supervisor of Mental Health Services and Licensed Clinical Social Worker

• As educators, we know that teaching students to cope with challenges is important—but it’s not enough. To truly support their growth, we must help them develop the capacity to withstand the everyday stressors they face. This session will explore practical strategies to tap into students’ natural resilience, equipping them not just to manage adversity, but to grow and thrive in the face of it.

1. Executive Function Skills: Strategies to Build a Strong Learning Foundation

Presenter(s): Melissa Hunter, IU1 Training and Consultation in the areas of Interagency Coordinator, BrainSTEPS and Behavior

• Harvard's Center on the Developing Child describes executive function skills as the air traffic control system of the brain: "These skills help our brains prioritize tasks, filter distractions and control impluses." This session will provide an overview of the executive function skills needed to be a successful learner as well as strategies educators can employ to build these skills. 

2. Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction in 2025-26

Presenter(s): Brian Campbell, Director, Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction, Pennsylvania Department of Education

• Updates from PDE on academic standards, on-line assessments, graduation requirements, and instructional time. Find out what PDE can do for you in the 2025-26 school year.

3. Bureau of Special Education Updates 

Presenter(s): Dr. Carole Clancy, Bureau of Special Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education

• Dr. Clancy will provide the most current updates in the field of special education nationally and across Pennsylvania as well as available training and technical assistance to support district and building leaders in the design of service delivery models.