Presenter Information
Dr. Cheryl Moore-Beyioku-Dr. Moore-Beyioku is a former Special Day Teacher, Resource Teacher, and Inclusion Teacher for Students with High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome with the Los Angeles Unified School District. She is currently faculty in the School of Education at Indiana University Kokomo, where she teaches students seeking Special Education and English as a New Language licensure and working professionals in the Transition to Teaching program and the Paraprofessional program and facilitates educator wellness activities. The focus of her instruction is on teaching the use of evidence-based strategies, such as Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction.
Dr. Brian Dinkins
Dr. Brian Dinkins is the author and creator of Emotionally - Inclusive Practices, motivational speaker, and international education consultant for the Center for Empowering Education, where he leads as CEO. Brian also serves as an assistant professor at Butler University, where he serves as director of the Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP). He performed poorly in high school, graduating with a 1.9gpa but went on to earn a B.A. from Purdue University, where he played football for the Big Ten Champion Boilermakers. Dr. Dinkins has served as a special education teacher, coach, and turnaround principal in four high-poverty schools, including traditional, charter, and private schools. He has committed his work to serving children, partners, and communities in need.
Michael J. Kennedy, Ph.D. -Michael J. Kennedy's main area of research is the design, implementation, and experimental testing of multimedia-based interventions to support pre- and in-service teachers' knowledge and implementation of evidence-based practices. He has designed and experimentally tested numerous multimedia products intended to support teacher and student outcomes. Kennedy is the head of the STORMED Lab (Supporting Teachers through coaching, obseRvations, and Multimedia to Educate students with Disabilities) Before completing his doctoral studies, Kennedy was a high school special education teacher for six years and an elementary-level teacher for three years. He has published over 65 peer-reviewed articles and received over $15 million in total grants to develop and study processes for supporting teacher and school leader implementation of evidence-based multimedia. Kennedy was an inaugural winner of the early career research and mentoring grant competition from the Institute for Education Sciences in 2013. He is co-editor of the Journal of Special Education Technology and Chair of U.Va’s Faculty Senate (2023-24). Kennedy was awarded the 2021 TED/Pearson Excellence in Teacher Education Award, and UVA’s Alumni Board of Trustees Award for excellence in university teaching in 2015.
Lindsay Kusy-Lindsay Kusy is a LMHC, and certified as a Compassion Fatigue Professional, Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist, and Level 2 Clinical Trauma Professional. Lindsay received her MA in Clinical Psychology from the University of Indianapolis. Lindsay began her career working with individuals with a dual diagnosis of intellectual disability or Autism and a mental health diagnosis. Lindsay went on to create and direct the Intensive Behavioral Intervention program and outpatient clinic at Damar Services. She briefly returned to the Medicaid Waiver directing the Behavior Management program with Indiana Mentor before supervising school-based services with Aspire, a Community Mental Health Center. She has been the Education/Behavioral Health Coordinator for Cummins Behavioral Health Systems since November 2021 and recently moved into the role of Director of Child Resiliency Services. Lindsay is also the owner of LJK Counseling where she provides therapeutic and consultative services as well as mental health trainings.
Kristin Parisi- Kristin is in her 3rd full year as the director of Clark-Pleasant Early Learning Center in Clark-Pleasant Community Schools. Having taught as a gen. ed. teacher, special education teacher, she moved into an administrative position in an elementary and intermediate school. In January of 2021, Kristin was offered the position with Clark-Pleasant and jumped at the chance to work with early childhood children and educators. Throughout her 29 year career in education, Kristin has been an avid supporter of inclusion and doing what is best for children. She works hard to ensure that all children have a voice!
Tammy Overpeck- Tammy Consulting Special Education Teacher for the MSD of Wayne Township, and have the privilege of supporting our special education teachers. Some of the supports I provide are in technical assistance and professional development in research-based literacy strategies, assisting teachers in determining and implementing specially designed instruction and appropriate academic interventions for students with disabilities, and analyzing academic data regularly while coaching them in the collection and use of progress monitoring data to drive instruction and interventions. Please join me in thinking outside individuals’ disabilities and explore how to teach to their learning pathway!
Lesa Paddack-Lesa lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. She and her husband, Bruce, have 4 grown children and have been married 42 years. Their son was diagnosed at age 2 with special needs. The family has been blessed with beautiful three grandchildren. Lesa works for IN*SOURCE, Indiana’s Resource Center for Families with Special Needs, and is the Assistant Director of Technical Assistance for IN*SOURCE. Lesa served as the IN*SOURCE Parent Liaison to the IDOE for 14 years. Lesa has a bachelor’s degree in human services, and she has completed a family discipline traineeship at Indiana University School of Medicine through Riley Child Development Center, and she works with other departments at Riley Children’s Hospital to conduct trainings for staff on parent’s perspectives and Article 7 related issues. Lesa serves on the Indiana State Advisory Council and the DDRS Advisory Council along with many other local, state, and national boards to help both parents and professionals become more informed about resources, build collaborative relationships, and raise awareness about disability issues. She truly enjoys helping families and professionals build successful teams to assist children toreach their greatest potential.
Matt Schwartz,CFP-I began a career at Edward Jones in 2001 opening my office here in Syracuse and have proudly served this community ever since. With over 20 years of experience, my goal as a Financial Advisor is to help my clients meet their goals in every season throughout their lifetime. I am originally from Goshen where I was raised on a farm. Then went on to graduate from Taylor University with a bachelor's degree in accounting completing my CFP coursework in 2011. Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Renee, our two children, and their families. In March, we proudly welcomed our first grandbaby, a baby boy.
Dr. George Van Horn-Dr. George Van Horn recently retired as the director of special education for the Bartholomew Special Services Cooperative in Columbus, Indiana. George completed both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees at the University of Dayton. He received his Doctor of Education degree from Indiana University with a concentration in the areas of school administration and special education. He has been a teacher of students with emotional disabilities for Montgomery County Public Schools in Dayton, Ohio. In addition, he has served as a principal, school superintendent and director of special education in several public school districts in the Midwest. George has also been an adjunct faculty member at Indiana University Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC), Manhattan College in New York, and Northern Illinois University. He has consulted with school districts throughout the country in the areas of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, Universal Design for Learning, and Inclusion.
Dr. Linda Watkins-Dr. Watkins began her career as an elementary special education teacher in Avon Schools before shifting into district leadership as the Special Education Coordinator for Franklin Township and RISE Special Services. She then had the opportunity to serve as Director of Exceptional Learners at the MSD of Decatur Township overseeing special education, Section 504, English Learners, and High Ability programs for the district. From there, she transitioned to Indianapolis Public Schools in the roles of Executive Director of Alternative Options and Executive Director of Special Education on the school supervision and academics teams respectively. Currently, she is in her second year as Director of Special Services at the MSD of Wayne Township where she supports special education, Section 504, and social-emotional learning. Dr. Watkins was recognized as a Butler University College of Education Distinguished Alumna in 2012 for her work in the field. She has also served as a guest panelist at the University of Indianapolis iLEAD Program and the Indiana University Director of Exceptional Needs program, presented as a guest lecturer at Butler University EPPSP, and taught courses at the University of Indianapolis and Marian University as an adjunct professor. She is an active member of ICASE and is the current governmental affairs representative for the Central Roundtable. Dr. Watkins earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Butler University, her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Indianapolis, her Director of Exceptional Needs License from Indiana University, and her Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision from Ball State University. When not at work, Dr. Watkins is a busy mom of two boys - Hayden (9) and Trace (5). She loves Butler basketball, fitness, gardening, and strong coffee.
Marcee Wilburn, Ph.D.-Marcee Wilburn has worked in the field of Special Education for 17 years. For six years, she taught both general and special education across settings while earning a Masters of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. In 2012, she began working as the Coordinator for the Promoting Achievement for Students with Sensory Loss (PASS) Project at Indiana State University (ISU) providing professional learning to educators working with sensory loss. Currently, she is the Associate Director for the IEP TA Center conducting trainings and supporting districts across the state to promote inclusive practices and improve student outcomes. In addition, Marcee recently completed her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Indiana State University.