Back by Popular Demand the 2025-2026 Special Education Summer Academy is offering a one day conference style workshop. The workshops are designed for Special Education staff members who teach in an Achieve, Connect, Elevate, Strive, or Rise classrooms AND staff members who provide behavior support to students in the resource & inclusion settings (i.e. "Focus Programming"). During the one day conference staff will have the opportunity to choose the sessions they are interested in taking and collaborate within their professional learning communities to explore the foundations of behavior & instruction, identify critical attributes of highly effective structured programs, and practice the skills needed to arrange classroom environments and be ready to welcome students on the first day of school!
To register for a session, simply click the radio button on the upper left side next to the title and the session is automatically added to your schedule. If the session is full, DON’T WORRY, register anyway for the wait list. We will be checking the numbers throughout the month and make room for all the waitlisters.
Join us for a fascinating and informative training session that explores the latest research on autism and brain development, tailored specifically for special education teachers and staff. We'll dive into how brain differences influence learning, behavior, and sensory processing, and share practical, research-backed strategies to support your students. Expect a lively discussion filled with fresh insights and actionable ideas to enhance your classroom practices!
The session is available twice for your convenience.
I received my Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Autism from UNT. My Bachelors is from SMU in English letters. I have worked for Plano ISD for 20 years, and I have been in Education for 25 years having previously worked in Highland Park ISD as an English 1 and English... Read More →
Learn how to confidently facilitate ARD meetings and effectively present IEPs to the ARD committee using Frontline. This session will provide practical tips, tools, and guidance to ensure compliance and meaningful collaboration.
The session is available twice for your convenience.
This session explores how NotebookLM can help educators streamline everyday tasks such as organizing instructional materials, summarizing important documents, and managing behavior data. Participants will walk through practical, real-world use cases that demonstrate how AI can reduce paperwork, enhance planning, and support more efficient decision-making across the school day.
Gain insights into agencies and pathways that assist all students in the community as they transition from high school to adulthood. Participants will also explore ways to develop strategies/activities in the Transition Supplement to support families in making these connections now. (LifePath, TWS, REACH, etc. ) Feel confident with your transition plans for students!
Working in our world comes with unique challenges - both emotional and physical. Resilience in this profession relies upon the ability to rationally detach and take care of yourself, even when the sky is falling.
This hands-on training guides staff through the full process of creating and using Student Response Plans (SRPs) to support consistent, function-based responses to challenging behavior. Learn how to align SRPs with FBAs and BIPs, develop clear response scripts, and use real examples to build confidence in managing behavior proactively and collaboratively.
The session is available twice for your convenience.
Learn how to confidently facilitate ARD meetings and effectively present IEPs to the ARD committee using Frontline. This session will provide practical tips, tools, and guidance to ensure compliance and meaningful collaboration.
The session is available twice for your convenience.
A continuation of last years fun and engaging session, The Therapeutic Environment is a hands-on training which will explore the latest research on creating a therapeutic classroom environment that promotes growth and well-being for all students. Special education teachers and staff will engage in interactive activities, discover practical strategies, and take home a wealth of resources to create a supportive, calming space for learning. Get ready for an enjoyable, resource-packed session that will leave you feeling inspired and equipped to make a positive impact in your classroom!
The session is available twice for your convenience.
This hands-on training guides staff through the full process of creating and using Student Response Plans (SRPs) to support consistent, function-based responses to challenging behavior. Learn how to align SRPs with FBAs and BIPs, develop clear response scripts, and use real examples to build confidence in managing behavior proactively and collaboratively.
The session is available twice for your convenience.
I Am Not a Bodyguard is an empowering (and slightly rebellious) session for special education paraprofessionals ready to step out of the shadows and into their true roles. We’ll break down job expectations, set boundaries, and build the confidence to say, “I’m here to support—not just escort!”
The session is available twice for your convenience.
A continuation of last years fun and engaging session, The Therapeutic Environment is a hands-on training which will explore the latest research on creating a therapeutic classroom environment that promotes growth and well-being for all students. Special education teachers and staff will engage in interactive activities, discover practical strategies, and take home a wealth of resources to create a supportive, calming space for learning. Get ready for an enjoyable, resource-packed session that will leave you feeling inspired and equipped to make a positive impact in your classroom!
The session is available twice for your convenience.
Putting the VB-MAPP into Action will walk you through the analysis of the VB-MAPP assessment that you have already completed, determining which skills need to be prioritized, which skills could become IEP goals and how to teach the identified skills in your classroom. Please bring a completed VB-MAPP to analyze and get a leg up for the beginning of the school year.
I received my Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Autism from UNT. My Bachelors is from SMU in English letters. I have worked for Plano ISD for 20 years, and I have been in Education for 25 years having previously worked in Highland Park ISD as an English 1 and English... Read More →
Thursday July 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:20pm CDT PESH B1-207 Classroom3000 Los Rios Blvd, Plano, TX
Join us for a fascinating and informative training session that explores the latest research on autism and brain development, tailored specifically for special education teachers and staff. We'll dive into how brain differences influence learning, behavior, and sensory processing, and share practical, research-backed strategies to support your students. Expect a lively discussion filled with fresh insights and actionable ideas to enhance your classroom practices!
The session is available twice for your convenience.
I received my Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Autism from UNT. My Bachelors is from SMU in English letters. I have worked for Plano ISD for 20 years, and I have been in Education for 25 years having previously worked in Highland Park ISD as an English 1 and English... Read More →
Join us for an engaging and practical session on **Trauma-Informed Care and Mental Health in the Classroom**, led by experienced special education counselors. Discover real-world strategies to support students' emotional well-being, manage classroom challenges, and build stronger, more compassionate learning environments. This is a must-attend for educators who want to make a lasting impact—while learning in a supportive, energizing space!
I Am Not a Bodyguard is an empowering (and slightly rebellious) session for special education paraprofessionals ready to step out of the shadows and into their true roles. We’ll break down job expectations, set boundaries, and build the confidence to say, “I’m here to support—not just escort!”
The session is available twice for your convenience.
Looking for ways to have fun with your students while teaching valuable skills? Come learn how Socially Savvy ties assessment and learning social skills with play activities that will keep smiles and laughter in your classroom.
Participants will explore ways to integrate work based learning into their classrooms (grades 6-12) as well as opportunities to partner with local businesses and take students into the community. As a hands-on instructional strategy, WBL can be a powerful tool in many different subject areas to support your student's future employment goals.
