Saturday Sessions
8:15 AM - 9:25 AM Colorado Spotlight
Behind the Mask - Same Diagnosis, Different Story: Understanding ADHD in Girls.
Presented by Kristen Hayton
While research confirms that girls are just as likely as boys to have ADHD, their symptom presentation often looks very different leading to frequent underdiagnosis and missed opportunities for support. We will examine the distinctive ways ADHD presents in girls, the social, emotional, physical and academic challenges they face, and the co-occurring conditions that often accompany it. Participants will gain insight into why these differences matter, explore the latest research, and learn practical, evidence-based strategies to better identify, understand, and support girls with ADHD so they can thrive in both school and life.
Engagement Structures to Grow Student Confidence In Math
Presented by Juliana Tapper
Boosting student confidence in math starts with the right structures. Discover six powerful engagement routines that invite all students in K-12 to think, reason, and share—without fear of failure. Walk away with practical strategies to create an inclusive, math-positive classroom where every student feels capable and valued.
Starting Over, Again
Presented by Danny Combs
Danny shares his journey from Nashville musician to teacher, founder of nationally recognized programs, Air Force Reservist in the space field, and state disability policy leader. His career, marked by restarts, bold risks, and hard-won lessons, offers an inspiring perspective on resilience and purpose.
10:20 AM - 11:30 AM Breakout Sessions
Extensive Support Needs Bill of Rights
Presented by Julie Richter, Gina Herrera, & Kara Halley
Join us to explore the Extensive Support Needs Bill of Rights focusing on fundamental rights of all
learners, including those with the most significant support needs, to receive the full educational
experience. Leave with strategies, insights and resources to empower students to succeed and lead
fulfilling and engaged personal lives.
Training, Appreciating, and Hopefully Retaining Paraprofessionals
Presented by Heather Lyons
Learn about paraprofessionals with a preference profile, share ideas on defining roles and responsibilities, train with clear expectations to be shared with teachers, and share ideas for appreciating paraprofessionals' hard work every day in hopes of retaining paraprofessionals.
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Presented by TBD
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Enhancing Family Participation in IEPs Using Structured Protocols
Presented by Andrea Laser & Julia Pfitzer
Struggling with meaningful participation of families in IEP meetings? This session will explore the use
of protocols to provide structures to increase participation before, during, and after IEP meetings. We
will explore how protocols can support collaboration, and provide time to reflect and consider how
to use them in practice.
The Power of Boundaries: Safety, Connections & Independence
Presented by Trude Burnett, M.A. Ed
Learn how our roles define boundaries and define relationships and support all learners in building
healthier interpersonal skills. Discover how personal beliefs influence how we teach, model, and
practice healthy boundaries—and how this shapes student success. Identify four boundary types,
decode hidden messages, and foster safe, respectful, and lasting connections.
What We Can Learn From a Therapy Dog
Presented by Erin De Assis
Research has shown us the benefits of therapy dogs in schools, but there are things we can learn from
dogs that can help us support students better. This session will explore the neurotransmitters we all
share as mammals- ones that help us learn better, and feel calm and confident, and how educators
can create those experiences for students!
Shapes Transformed into Letters: Discovering Reading at 17
Presented by Simon Schmid & Emily Wilson, M.Ed.
Simon always looked at traffic signs as colors and shapes, but letters are more than shapes. Reading
was unlocked for Simon at 17 through a transformative relationship with Ms. Wilson after years of
struggle. They share their experience with reading instruction to prevent similar hardships for future
students and teachers.
Breaking Barriers: Supporting High School Students with Social/ Emotional Challenges
Presented by Meaghan Anderson, Mari Goldstrand, & Rachel Colsman
High school students with social-emotional challenges face barriers to academic and personal success.
Struggles with emotional regulation, executive functioning, and relationships can lead to
disengagement and frustration. This session explores strategies to support these students, fostering
resilience, self-advocacy, and success in both learning and life.
Maybe They're Gifted, Now What?
Presented by Michelle E. Freddolino & Johanna Butt
What does it mean to be Twice-Exceptional? What does “gifted” mean? Learn about identifying these
students and supporting their strengths and talent areas, while servicing their needs with interventions
and accommodations. While 2e students are a diverse population, there are general supports that we
can put in place.
Modifications and Grading Practices for Students from Center-Based Programs in General Education Classrooms
Presented by Emily Beach, MAT, BCBA
Ever stuck on how to measure growth and progress for students pushing out to inclusion classes? Use
our systems and routines to keep all students, paraprofessionals, general education teachers, and case
managers in the know! It doesn't have to be so hard.
Math Language = Math Confidence For All
Presented by Nakasha Kirkland
Students with disabilities often struggle with formal mathematical language. In this session, participants will gain the tools necessary to strengthen instructional delivery by equipping students with the language necessary to reason mathematically. Participants will engage in structured, research-based strategies to make math language explicit and accessible for all learners.
11:45 AM - 12:55 PM Breakout Sessions
Legal Compliance: Parent Perspective
Presented by Dr. Jacque Phillips, Esq.
An overview of special education complaints filed in the last year will be shared. Hot topics will be
discussed so schools and parents are on the same page. A (mostly) non-adversarial legal approach is
effective and encouraged. A Colorado legislative update, related to special education, will also be
included.
Efficient Evaluations: Ready-to-Use Strategies for Teams
Presented by Amanda Evans & Dr. Emily Cunningham-Randall, PsyD
School teams are faced with multiple challenges when it comes to evaluations. Less collaboration time, working with staff unfamiliar with formal evaluations and previous incomplete evaluations are among challenges. We will investigate a “ready-to-use” resource to keep your team organized and efficient in planning and executing evaluations despite these barriers.
Reorganizing and Becoming an Inclusive School
Presented by John Frederick A. Lauron
Risk big for inclusion! Discover Mountain Middle School's radical restructure: Deans, not Assistant Principals. Learn how their Dean of Inclusion's data-driven MTSS approach shatters barriers. Elevate equity, ditch the status quo. Courage to transform starts here.
Increasing Reading Stamina in Students with Attention Deficit Disorder
Presented by Jenny Nordman, Ph.D.
This session will provide teachers with practical strategies for increasing reading stamina and confidence in students with attention issues. An overview of neurocognitive research will be provided and strategies for increasing sustained attention during literacy tasks will be presented and discussed.
Collaborative Goal Writing with Dynamic Service Delivery
Presented by Dr. Bri Makofske & Christie Bowers, MS CCC-SLP
This presentation focuses on how collaboration for goal writing and co-teaching interventions/groups allows more flexibility in service delivery. Learn how to provide students with opportunities to be engaged while simultaneously targeting multiple skill deficits and developing skills to successfully problem solve and interact with others.
Utilizing Paraeducators Effectively: Tools for Teachers and Administrators
Presented by Ritu Chopra, Ph.D.
Effective teamwork between teachers and paraeducators is crucial for improving outcomes for students with disabilities, though research suggests that these team dynamics can be challenging. This session shares evidence-based strategies and practical tools that foster strong teacher-paraeducator teams and improve service delivery for students with disabilities.
Executive Function: Reading & Written Language Companion Processes
Presented by Lynnette Pfeiffer, Ed.S., NCSP School Psychologist
Executive skills represent cognitive processes related to attention, initiation, working memory, cognitive flexibility, task monitoring, organization, planning, behavior inhibition, and emotional control, which are essential to student success in reading comprehension and writing. Understanding executive skills will enable teachers to enhance interventions, refine instructional strategies, and increase student success.
From “Can’t Do” to “Doable”: Transforming Complex Tasks
Presented by Robin Brewer, Ed.D. & Katrine Gosselin, Ph.D.
Modifying curriculum to meet the unique needs of students with significant needs often presents a formidable task for educators. This session introduces "Learning Progressions," a practical framework for breaking down Content Standards and Extended Evidence Outcomes (EEOs) into accessible units of learning, fostering success for both teachers and students.
Psychological Safety in Schools: What? Why? How?
Presented by Cary Lynch, MA, EdS, NCSP
Together, we will define and explore Psychological Safety as it relates to both staff and students then identify simple steps for implementation in your unique environment.
Game On: Surfacing Potential in 2e Students
Presented by Michelle Lewis & Heather Groff
Twice-exceptional (2e) students often have advanced thinking needs that are overlooked with
traditional educational practices. This session explores how board games can help identify 2e learners
by revealing their unique strengths. Participants will gain practical strategies to support 2e learners,
using gameplay to surface and nurture their exceptional abilities.
Pre-Retirement Planning
Presented by PERA
Stop worrying, start planning! This workshop will guide you through three key steps to help you retire with confidence. We will provide you with the tools and resources necessary to estimate your future retirement income, identify expenses, and address any gaps that might get in the way of reaching your retirement goals. Get ready to create a plan that will set you on the path to retire with everything you need! All are welcomed and will find value; if you are around 5 – 10 years from retirement, this workshop has been specially designed with you in mind!