Special Education Conference 2025 Special Education Conference 2025

Date: November 13-14, 2025
Location: Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI


Schedule Print Registration Information

This schedule is subject to change. Registrants will receive a conference program at conference check in.

Thursday, November 13, 2025

7:30 am - 9:00 am

Check In, Light Breakfast, Networking, ExhibitorsSuite 1, 2, 7, 8

9:00 am - 9:15 am

Welcome: Mr. Patrick Vavra, CESA 11, EdEvents DirectorSuite 1, 2, 7, 8

9:15 am - 10:30 am

Katie Berg- KeynoteSuite 1, 2, 7, 8

10:30 am - 10:45 am

Break: Exhibitors, NetworkingSuite 1, 2, 7, 8

10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Katie Berg- WorkshopSuite 1, 2, 7, 8

12:00 pm - 12:45 pm

LunchSuite 1, 2, 7, 8

12:50 pm - 1:40 pm

1. Leveraging AI in ELA to Support Students with DisabilitiesAloeswood

Presenter: Kiera Bridley (Special Education Teacher)

This session explores how AI tools like SchoolAI, Book Creator, and Brisk can support students with disabilities in meeting grade-level ELA standards and reading goals. Attendees will learn how to use these platforms to scaffold instruction, personalize learning, and align supports with IEPs and UDL. The session includes tool demos, classroom strategies, and best practices for ethical, inclusive AI integration in literacy instruction.

Level: Beginner

2. High Expectations for Students with Disabilities: Empowering IndependenceAralia

Presenters: Arielle Mueller (Project SEARCH Instructor); Heidi Lehman (WSPEI Family-School Partnership Coordinator)

High Expectations for students with disabilities is one of the 5 beliefs in the College and Career Ready IEP framework. But do we always embed this belief when planning for life after High School? In this session, participants will examine their mindsets around students' dis-ABILITIES. Participants will leave with tools to write and implement strength-based IEPs, promote self-determination, and engage both students and families in the transition process, including the PTP.

Level: Intermediate

3. Regulation in Action: Teaching Regulation in Early Learning EnvironmentsMangrove

Presenter: Lizzy Augustin (Statewide Early Childhood SEL Coach)

Turn challenging moments into learning opportunities! Discover how curiosity reveals student strengths, engagement styles, and understanding of skill progressions. Walk away with practical strategies to task analyze the steps of regulation, plan how to target specific skills, and embed specially designed instruction seamlessly into play and activity-based learning within early learning environments (EC through 1st grade).

Level: Beginner

4. Sel- The Prison VersionMarula

Presenters: Rosalind Hardy (Special Education Teacher); Vanessa Lundgren (Special Education Teacher)

Special Education teachers at Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility, a prison in Racine, Wisconsin, discuss how SEL can make a difference in the young men, ages 18 -24. Come sit and have some candid discussion about SEL, Special Education, and the Wisconsin Prison System. Discussions will include the challenges introducing SEL practices into the prison system, long term benefits to teaching SEL in prison, and reintegration into society post-incarceration.

Level: Advanced

5. Processing Speed Deficits: The Academic and Social/Emotional TollTamboti

Presenter: Annika Heyworth (Assistant Director)

Many gifted students struggle with a deficit in their processing speed. It takes a lot of effort to diagnose and can be difficult to identify. Often, these are the most frustrated students in school and can be labeled lazy or unmotivated. This presentation will focus on defining processing speed, the signs to look for, the impact that they may have, and how to help students overcome these challenges academically and emotionally.

Level: Beginner

1:45 pm - 2:25 pm

6. DPI UpdatesSuite 1, 2, 7, 8

Presenter: Daniel Parker (DPI Consultant)

Wisconsin DPI will provide updates on key resources and guidance related to special education.

Level: Beginner

2:30 pm - 3:20 pm

7. Harnessing AI in Special Education: Empowering Educators and LearningSuite 1, 2, 7, 8

Presenters: Dawn Merth-Johnson (Education Consultant); Michelle Silverman (Education Consultant)

Explore how artificial intelligence is already transforming special education by equipping educators with powerful tools to personalize learning, streamline interventions, and improve accessibility. It highlights AI-driven strategies that support diverse student needs while assisting educators in data-driven decision-making, workload reduction, and inclusive teaching practices. Gain insights into practical applications, legal, ethical and student safety considerations, and the future of AI.

Level: Beginner

8. What You Need To Know About Long-Term Services in WIAloeswood

Presenters: Jamie Champine (Self-Determination Supervisor); Lakisha LaGrant-Heart (ADRC Youth Transition Supervisor); Paul Mross (Community Partnership Specialist); Victoria Gunderson (Executive Director, WI )

Are you confused about what long-term supports and services are in WI? What are they? Who handles what role? When do you begin the process? Where to go to begin? How to begin? Looking for answers to these questions? Attend this session and you will leave with an understanding of the long-term care supports and services that are available to people with a disability in Wisconsin.

Level: Beginner

9. From Access to Achievement: Personalized IEP Support at eAchieve AcademyAralia

Presenters: Jason Smith (Principal); Maureen Knudson (Special Education Teacher and Department Chair)

Looking for a high-quality virtual alternative placement for students with IEPs? eAchieve Academy serves over 200 IEP students in a fully online setting, boasting a 100% graduation rate for students with IEPs. Discover how our 1:1 instructional model, SDI, and integration of UDL and WICOR strategies foster authentic learning and support the achievement of IEP goals. Discover a proven, student-centered approach to virtual special education that ensures both access and success.

Level: Intermediate

10. Alternative Dispute Resolution - Parent AcademyMangrove

Presenters: Mildred Browne (Consultant, ADR Coach); Susan Bobbitt-Voth (Consultant, ADR Coach, Author)

Education is an integral component to engage parents as partners in the educational process and to reduce conflict at the earliest point possible. The presenters will provide an overview of parent academies they have conducted to train parents on important components of Alternative Dispute Resolution, foundational information about special education and with a focus on the importance of parents as educational partners.

Level: Beginner

11. Six Step Instructional Approach for Responding to Challenging BehaviorMarula

Presenter: Grant Allen (Assistant Professor)

Supporting the behavioral success of students, including those with disabilities, is a necessary component of meeting instructional goals. Preventing challenging behavior is important, but what should educators do to support students when they demonstrate challenging behaviors? In this presentation, participations will learn a six step approach to responding to initial behavioral challenges, why each of these steps is important, and what not to do at each step of the process.

Level: Beginner

12. Accelerating Foundational Skills for Older ReadersTamboti

Presenter: Kari Steck (Manager of Educational Partnerships)

We all recognize the urgent need to identify and support older (gr 4-12) students who struggle to read. Foundational reading skills are often at the heart of reading difficulties and it is crucial to provide instruction that is research-based, respectful, dignified, and age-appropriate to this vulnerable group of students. We will unpack and bridge the research to practice by experiencing effective instructional routines, ensuring appropriate practice leading to mastery of critical skills.

Level: Beginner