Forums and Handouts

Handouts will be posted before the Institute.
NOTE: Click once on a Handout link to open or download it (your browser may automatically download to your computer). Handouts will open in a new browser tab.

“I have been impressed with every aspect of the program and highly recommend this program for all educators and parents of children with special needs.”
Jackie Paullin,
Genesee Lake School

Day	Group	Forum	Group-Forum	Topic	Presenter	Description
Tuesday	General	Keynote	General - Keynote 1	Investing in General Educators: Designing Quality Instruction to Engage All Learners	Michael McSheehan & Mike Anderson (Educators, Coaches & Consultants; New Hampshire)	In this keynote, Michael & Mike will share their positive approach to assist general educators as a way of expanding inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities. Their approach centers on designing quality instruction to engage ALL learners by focusing on effective methods for teaching students with disabilities. They will highlight REAL classroom and student examples from across the K-12 grades that are both inspirational and practical.
Tuesday	1	A	Group 1 - Forum A	Designing Quality Instruction to Engage All Learners: Methods & Examples	Michael McSheehan & Mike Anderson (Educators, Coaches & Consultants; New Hampshire)	This forum will focus on methods and examples of inclusive academic instruction: 1) build social emotional learning and choice in academic lessons; 2) differentiate learning with embedded specially-designed instruction; and 3) increase student engagement through learner-centered language and safe, shame-free environments. Additionally, examples will show the impact of lesson design on student behavior , and how common-sense approaches create intrinsic motivation for students. (Target Audience: Elementary, Middle, High School Levels; Special Educators; General Educators; Administrators)
Tuesday	1	B	Group 1 - Forum B	Of Course! Inclusive Strategies for Supporting Students with Significant Disabilities in General Education Classrooms	Dr. Danielle Cowley (Faculty, Alfred University, New York)	This forum will explore evidence-based approaches for ensuring that all students, especially those with the most significant support needs, are provided with access to Comprehensive Academic Instruction in general education classrooms. We will dive deeply into differentiated instruction, universal design for learning, and TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) as three frameworks/approaches for all students to progress in the general education curriculum. (Target Audience: Elementary School Level; Special Educators & General Educators)
Tuesday	1	C	Group 1 - Forum C	Engaging with All Families Using the 5 Simple Principles	Caroline Rossing (WSPEI Statewide Grant Coordinator; Verona) & Cheri Sylla (State-wide Family Engagement Coaching Coordinator; Brookfield)	Join this engaging and interactive presentation from the Wisconsin State-wide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) that will focus on culture, communication, and relationships, the core components of effectively engaging with ALL families in your district. WSPEI will share important components and action items so you can leave this presentation with a simple plan to implement a strategy and to begin engaging more effectively with families in your school district. (Target Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, High School Levels; General Educators; Special Educators; Parents; Administrators; Related Services Providers)
Tuesday	1	D	Group 1 - Forum D	Transition in Action: Putting the Pieces Together	Alicia Reinhard (DPI Consultant; Madison)	Learn about best practices to promote inclusive and collaborative practices during the transition process. This forum will include materials and content from the State-wide Competitive Integrated Employment workgroup. Participants will view updates to the on-line Transition Action Guide, the County Communities on Transition Toolkit, and engage in discussion on ways to improve transition in their schools, districts and communities. (Target Audience: Middle, High, Post-Secondary Levels; Transition Specialists; Special Educators; General Educators; Parents; Administrators; Community Agencies)
Tuesday	1	E	Group 1 - Forum E	Interactive Read Alouds: Meeting the Needs of ALL Children	Nicole Aldworth (Consultant; CESA 2), Cindy Prendergast (EC Technical Assistance Specialist; CESA 1) & Janet Budney (EC Program Support; Milwaukee)	During this forum, participants will learn tools for planning for the most engaging and effective read aloud, as well as learning strategies for engaging every student in the Interactive Read Aloud, including those who may be English Language Learners or have Individualized Education Plans. (Target Audience: Early Childhood & Early Elementary Levels (3K-Grade 2); General Educators & Special Educators)
Tuesday	2	F	Group 2 - Forum F	Differentiation - Strategies for ALL Learners	Rachel Kaderabek (Special Education Specialist; CESA 7)	In this forum, we will examine what differentiation can look like in a variety of settings and discuss different strategies we can use to support students along their educational journey. Some of the strategies discussed will be scaffolds, supports, extensions, accommodations, modifications, enrichment activities, etc. (Target Audience: Elementary, Middle, High School Levels; Special Educators; General Educators; Paraprofessionals)
Tuesday	2	G	Group 2 - Forum G	A Roadmap for Partnering to Create Meaningful Self-Determined Lives	Dan Krohn (Community Partnership Manager at TMG-IRIS; Madison) & Erica Andres (President at Empowering U; Milwaukee)	During this interactive forum, presenters will share strategies that embrace the principles of person-centered planning, self-direction and supported decision-making, all of which increase opportunities for individuals with disabilities to enjoy full citizenship and maintain choice and control over their long-term services and supports (LTSS). These strategies provide people, professionals, and caregivers with proven techniques to re-imagine the possibilities for meeting support needs and achieving individual goals. (Target Audience: High School & Post-Secondary Levels; Special Educators; General Educators; Paraprofessionals; Parents)
Tuesday	2	H	Group 2 - Forum H	Implementing Inclusive Learning Communities Across a District – A Panel Discussion by Four Wisconsin School Districts	Rachel Fregien (DPI Consultant; UW-Madison) & Leaders in the Areas of General Education, Special Education & Coaching from the School Districts of Antigo, South Milwaukee, Ashland and Cadott	Eight districts across Wisconsin have embarked on implementing inclusive learning communities across their systems in order to improve outcomes for every student and accelerate improvement for students of color and students with IEPs. Hear from a diverse panel of district leaders who have first-hand experience with collaborative and systematic methods to implement district-wide, evidence-based practices that lead to educational equity for each and every student. Learn about the celebrations, challenges and successes of system-wide transformational change. (Target Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, High School Levels; Leadership team members at the district or school level)
Tuesday	2	I	Group 2 - Forum I	Round Table Discussion – Open Conversations with Other Colleagues on Inclusive Education	Inclusion Institute Staff & Facilitators	This forum is a round table discussion for participants to interact with colleagues from other schools & districts, regarding topics and questions they are struggling with or practices they wish to share with others because they are having success. (Target Audience: Anyone attending the Institute is welcome to attend and participate at this forum)
Tuesday	2	J	Group 2 - Forum J	Little Changes Can Go a Long Way	Michelle Ogorek (WI State-wide Early Childhood Coordinator; CESA 1)	This interactive forum will give early childhood providers a foundational understanding of accommodations and modifications and the value of using these to support individual children with and without disabilities. We will also explore how early childhood teachers can use these simple changes to classroom activities in order to increase a child’s access, engagement and learning. (Target Audience: Early Childhood; General Educators; Special Educators; Paraprofessionals; Related Services Providers)
Wednesday	General	Keynote	Genenal - Keynote 2	Autism to Aviation	Anthony Geinopolis (Self-Advocate; Southeastern WI)	Anthony, and his father Mark, will share Anthony’s journey of growing-up with a disability and transitioning into adult life with a job that fits Anthony’s interest, skills and knowledge in the field of aviation. Anthony will share information about the college courses he took in aviation as well as his other interests, including sports, movies and pets.
Wednesday	3	K	Group 3 - Forum K	Create Clarity in Learning: Clear Goals, High Expectations and Flexibility	Becky Charbonneau, Mark Thompson, Mike Nikson (Educational Staff; Sheboygan Falls School District	In this forum, participants will learn about our district’s UDL lesson design template, which helps teachers set clear classroom goals, create accessible materials, and create flexible assessments for all students. This process helps students access class materials and meet goals and expectations. (Target Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, High School Levels; General Educators; Administrators)
Wednesday	3	L	Group 3 - Forum L	NEW Essential Elements: Providing Access to Academic Content for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities	Iris Jacobson (DPI Consultant; Madison)	This forum will explore research and best practices for providing instruction of academic content for students with significant cognitive disabilities in an inclusive setting. Participants will also be introduced to Wisconsin's newly adopted Essential Elements for Social Studies and updated alignment of the Essential Elements for English language arts and mathematics. An overview of many available instructional resources and practices will be shared. (Target Audience: Elementary, Middle, High School Levels; General Educators; Special Educators; Curriculum & Instruction Specialists; Administrators; Paraprofessionals; Parents; Related Services Providers)
Wednesday	3	M	Group 3 - Forum M	You Want Me to Do What? Paraprofessionals Supporting Communication, Instruction, and Pro-Social Student Behavior	Dr. Denise Clark, Dr. Michelle Sands, Dr. Tom Fischer, Dr. Stacey Skoning & Jennifer Meyer (Faculty; UW-Oshkosh)	This forum will describe strategies for paraprofessionals as they work with students with a wide range of disabilities across age spans. Specific discussion of supporting instruction, pro-social behavior, and communication will be addressed. Time will be provided for participants to share ideas that have worked for them and problem-solve how to add the strategies presented into their current work. (Target Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, High School Levels; Paraprofessionals and those who support their work)
Wednesday	3	N	Group 3 - Forum N	A Permeable Process for Supporting Student Behavior	Staci Gilpin (Doctoral Candidate; University of North Dakota) & Amanda Zbacnik (Faculty, UW-Superior)	This interactive forum is appropriate for all school staff and families who are looking for a more permeable option for supporting students socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. Participants should see direct applications to collaborating with families and other staff in supporting students with and without disabilities socially, emotionally, and behaviorally across the environments of school, home, and community. (Target Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle & High School Levels; Special Educators, General Educators, Paraprofessionals, Parents, Related Services Providers)
Wednesday	3	O	Group 3 - Forum O	Is Your Child Ready...And is Shortening Their School Day the Answer	Jenny Bibler & Eva Shaw (DPI Consultants; Madison)	This presentation will look at the legal requirements for shortening the school day of a student with an Individual Education Program (IEP) in 4K and 5K. Participants will learn when it is appropriate to shorten a child's day and when it could infringe on their ability to receive their Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). (Target Audience: Early Childhood & Elementary School Levels; General Educators; Special Educators; Administrators; Parents)
Wednesday	4	P	Group 4 - Forum P	Co-Serving: Showing Up For Kids	Katie Berg (Supporting Neuro-diverse Students State-wide Coordinator; Milwaukee)	Struggling to collaborate with colleagues when views on behavior may be divergently different? This forum will support participants in using purposeful strategies to approach and share information with colleagues around students with neuro-diverse needs. (Target Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle & High School Levels; Special Educators; General Educators; Paraprofessionals; Administrators; Parents; Related Services Providers)
Wednesday	4	Q	Group 4 - Forum Q	Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technology Connection – UDL is the Answer!	Kathy White (Co-Chair of AT Forward; CESA 2)	This forum will explore common UDL tools, assistive technology tools and other supports that can be integrated quickly and easily with fidelity and integrity. Using accommodations and tools that are available to all (e.g., voice to text; text readers) can assist students so that they can achieve, understand the curriculum and also be able to demonstrate their knowledge within the general education environment. (Target Audience: Elementary; Middle & High School Levels; Special Educators; General Educators; Administrators; Parents)
Wednesday	4	R	Group 4 - Forum R	Cancelled	Cancelled	Cancelled
Wednesday	4	S	Group 4 - Forum S	Round Table Discussion – Open Conversations with Other Colleagues on Inclusive Education	Inclusion Institute Staff & Facilitators	This forum is a round table discussion for participants to interact with colleagues from other schools & districts, regarding topics and questions they are struggling with or practices they wish to share with others because they are having success. (Target Audience: Anyone attending the Institute is welcome to attend and participate at this forum)
Wednesday	4	T	Group 4 - Forum T	Universal Practices That Support the Inclusion of Pre-Schoolers with Behavioral, Social and Emotional Needs	Sandy Miller (EC Program Support Teacher; CESA 6) & Cindy Prendergast (EC Technical Assistance Specialist; CESA 1)	This forum will provide research-based Universal Practices and strategies that will transform your classroom while supporting your students' behavioral, social, and emotional development. Participants will hear practices designed to support all children in inclusive preschool settings, while building their own capacity to create supportive classroom environments. (Target Audience: Early Childhood Level; EC Special Educators; EC General Educators; EC Paraprofessionals)