MTSS Coordinator, Educational Service District 105
Hello and thank you for your time! As an educator, I understand how precious our time can be both in and out of the classroom. I have been with the ESD for almost 4 years. I began my time with the agency serving in the Migrant Department and have recently switched roles and now... Read More →
DESCRIPTION: We are often called upon as school providers to create behavioral supports to decrease patterns of difficult behavior, improving upon student success. It is tempting, due to time constraints, to implement tracker programs that are familiar and frequently used. However, creating meaningful behavioral change requires school providers to respond to the unique needs of the individual student, ensuring that function of behavior(s) is clearly understood while delivering rewards that motivate students to work toward long-term behavioral change. When we build a behavioral program that considers the needs of the individual student everyone wins.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Participants will learn 1-3 new ways to improve upon student behavior.
2. Participants will understand the importance of embedding highly motivating reward systems.
3. Participants will be able to identify student behaviors that indicate a current behavioral program is ineffective.
Autism Education Coordinator, Educational Service District 105
Sharon Grandy Loudon’s twenty-five year long career has focused on working with individuals and their families who experience differences in the areas of social, emotional, behavioral differences. She graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Special Education focusing... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm AKDT Room 213
DESCRIPTION: Imagine walking into your school tomorrow and realizing a new student is joining your class—a student with a visual impairment. Would you know how to support them? Would your school be ready to ensure they thrive academically, socially, and emotionally? In this engaging and practical session, we’ll break down what it truly means to have a visually impaired student in your school and how you can foster an inclusive learning environment where they can succeed alongside their peers. With visual impairment being a low-incidence disability, many educators feel uncertain about best practices. This is your opportunity to gain clarity, confidence, and actionable strategies to make a meaningful impact. We’ll explore common vision diagnoses and what they mean for learning. You’ll discover classroom adaptations that remove barriers, assistive technology that empowers independence, and the Expanded Core Curriculum, which teaches critical life skills beyond academics. Plus, we’ll discuss Orientation and Mobility strategies to ensure students can navigate their environment safely. This session isn’t just about information—it’s about transformation. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or support staff, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how to create a truly inclusive classroom. Bring your questions, bring your curiosity, and join us as we learn together.
OBJECTIVES: 1. Increased Confidence and Readiness – Attendees will leave with practical knowledge and strategies to support visually impaired students in the classroom, including adaptations, assistive technology, and orientation and mobility techniques. 2. Stronger Inclusive Practices – Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to create an inclusive school environment where visually impaired students can fully engage with their peers and access the curriculum equitably.
DESCRIPTION: Within the educational field, we work tirelessly to create enriching environments that support inclusivity, allowing all students to experience success as they develop to their fullest potential. A strong general education classroom that effectively meets the needs of special education students will be rich in educational practices that include differentiated instruction, visual supports, collaborative work between the student's school team, the use of assistive technology, flexible assessment practices, and a desire to support in the development of social relationships between students. This session will help define the characteristics that make a general education classroom effective in serving students of all abilities.
OBJECTIVES: Educators and administrators will be able to identify and describe educational principles that help to create inclusive classrooms. Educators and administrators will learn about digital media platforms that can work to assist in proving meaningful and visually appealing individualized learning tools that meet the varied developmental needs of special education students.
Autism Education Coordinator, Educational Service District 105
Sharon Grandy Loudon’s twenty-five year long career has focused on working with individuals and their families who experience differences in the areas of social, emotional, behavioral differences. She graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Special Education focusing... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm AKDT Room 213
