During this session, participants will explore the principles of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. UDL is based on scientific insights into how we as humans learn while emphasizing the brain networks that impact our learning the most. Participants will explore the learning guides that spell out the core components of UDL to provide concrete suggestions that can be applied to any student population and content area. Participants will gain knowledge on how to use the UDL model to enable differentiation and provide each student with the right level of support to succeed.

Anxiety impacts many students at different times of the day and in some cases may have a significant impact on their academic success. Students who face anxiety in school may experience difficulty in managing challenging behavior, processing and retrieving information, completing homework consistently, participating in class, and high absenteeism rates. In this session, participants will explore factors contributing to classroom anxiety and simple tools to support growth using a whole-child approach.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders we see in our students and it can greatly impact how they perform in and out of school. Students with ADHD are creative, innovative, and hyper-focused, yet often struggle to complete daily tasks both in and out of school because of their developmental impairment of executive functions (EFs), the self-management system of the brain. This session will explore research surrounding the different types of ADHD to assist educators in understanding how ADHD impacts a student’s ability to use their executive functions to pay attention, control impulsive behaviors, and stay organized. Participants will learn ways to provide structure and support that can help students get things done and thrive in school and life.

During this workshop, participants will explore effective classroom management that is based on setting and communicating high expectations, consistently nurturing positive relationships, and providing a high level of student support. Participants will evaluate how expectations for classroom conduct and social interaction are learned through the use of proven principles of behavior and effective classroom instruction. By bridging the gap between research and practice, participants will explore how students’ self-regulation assists in learning, and how self-regulatory skills can be taught. Additionally, participants will reflect on how the concepts of 'growth mindset' and maintaining high expectations for students affect students' opportunities to learn, their motivation, and their learning outcomes.

This workshop aims to help individuals who are working with or caring for students who exhibit challenging behaviors by bridging the gap between research and practice. Participants will be exposed to the basic facts about challenging behavior and strategies to prevent and address it effectively to improve academic engagement and reduce challenging behavior.

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Are your students or children experiencing difficulties starting and completing tasks, sustaining attention for an extended period, or needing to be more organized? They may need some tools to sharpen their executive function skills. Executive functioning impacts student behavior, organization, attention, and retention of information. In this session, individuals will learn how simple strategies can support students in sharpening their executive functioning skills. Participants will be introduced to current research on brain-based learning and its implications for classroom and home practices. The presentation will also include a variety of digital resources to promote the skills that students need for continued success.

Students with ADHD are creative, innovative, and hyper-focused, yet often struggle to complete daily tasks both in and out of school. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (formally known as ADD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders we see in our students and it can greatly impact how they perform in and out of school. This session will explore research surrounding the three types of ADHD, to assist educators and parents in understanding how ADHD impacts a student’s ability to pay attention, control impulsive behaviors, and stay organized. Participants will learn ways to provide structure and support that can help students get things done and thrive in school and life.

Are you looking to expand your knowledge and toolkit for your students with IEPs? This session will review the different parts of an IEP, the various professionals involved, and the basics of the laws that govern special education. Additional information will be presented on IEP writing, including developing a student’s Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance statement (PLAAFP), and how to use this information to create goals and objectives. This workshop applies to those working in general and special education.

During the session, participants will explore strategies to enable exposure and access to the general education curriculum for all students. Participants will identify how to modify the curriculum while providing opportunities to access standards and follow the curricular scope and sequence. We will investigate the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to promote engagement and success for all students.

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This workshop aims to help individuals who are working with students who exhibit challenging behaviors by bridging the gap between research and practice. Participants will be exposed to the basic facts about challenging behavior and strategies to prevent and address it effectively to improve academic engagement and reduce challenging behavior.

This workshop aims to dive deeper into best practices for inclusion. The session will explore the shift from equality to equity and consider the barriers that may exist for students. We will also use the framework of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to evaluate the ‘why’, ‘what,’ and ‘how’ of learning that supports students in being motivated, knowledgeable, and goal-oriented. Participants will learn strategies to improve and optimize teaching and learning that enable equity and access for all students.

During this session, participants will explore the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) model, how to implement interventions, and monitor student progress. We will analyze the core components of MTSS based on the three-tier prevention model of Response to Intervention (RTI) and principles of Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS).

Participants will gain knowledge on how to use the MTSS model to enable differentiation and provide each student with the right level of support to succeed.