Thank you to all attendees, speakers and sponsors. Our 2021 Virtual State Conference saw over 500 participants enjoy 43 sessions and visit with dozens of exhibitors. If you registered for the conference, you can return to the conference event or app anytime to watch video recordings of all sessions. This bonus is available until the end of August. If you need a reminder about how to login to the conference, Click Here.
Have a great school year - and check out more amazing Events and professional development opportunities this year.
2021 Keynote Speakers
David Adams - Senior Director of Strategy at The Urban Assembly
David is the Senior Director of Strategy at The Urban Assembly. He previously served as the Director of Social. Emotional Learning at the Urban Assembly, and prior to that was the Social-Emotional Learning Coordinator for District 75 where he shaped the District's approach to social-emotional learning for students with severe cognitive and behavioral challenges. He has worked internationally in schools in England, standing up and evaluating programs of positive behavioral supports and Social-Emotional Learning as a research intern at Yale University’s Health, Emotion and Behavior Lab, and published multiple academic papers around the relationship of social-emotional competence, and student academic and behavioral outcomes. David is also co-author of The Educator's Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence, which was published in 2020. He is married with two children, serves on the Board of Directors of CASEL and is an Engineering Officer in the Army Reserve. David holds an M.Ed in Educational Psychology from Fordham University.
Nancy Mather, Ph.D. - University of Arizona, College of Education, Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies
Nancy Mather is a Professor Emerita at the University of Arizona in Tucson. She has served as a learning disabilities teacher, a diagnostician, a university professor, and an educational consultant. She has published numerous articles and books and conducts workshops on assessment and instruction both nationally and internationally. Dr. Mather is a co-author of the Woodcock-Johnson IV. Her most recent book on dyslexia is: Essentials of Dyslexia: Assessment and Intervention. She is currently working on the Tests of Dyslexia, a comprehensive measure designed to help identify individuals with dyslexia.
Heather R. Pierson - Legal Issues in Special Education: Case Law Review
Heather R. Pierson joined Udall Shumway PLC in 2009. She is a member of the School Law section, representing the firm’s education law clients throughout the State.
Ms. Pierson comes to Udall Shumway PLC uniquely qualified in the area of special education law. Prior to joining Udall Shumway, Ms. Pierson taught behavior disordered students. During her teaching career, Ms. Pierson was involved in the development and implementation of Individualized Education Plans (“IEP”) and behavior plans and attended several trainings on special education and regular education interventions and strategies. While in law school, Ms. Pierson provided in-home ABA services for autistic children under the age of three and participated in the Whittier Law School Special Education Clinic, which provided special education advocacy services for children with developmental disabilities. Additionally, Ms. Pierson earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education in 2004.
Ms. Pierson primarily focuses her practice on special education and disability related matters. She routinely defends school districts and other public educational institutions in matters related to disability law matters, such as special education due process hearings, Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”) complaints, Section 504 due process hearings, mediation, and special education state complaints. She provides daily advice and assistance in matters related to special education, Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act, student discipline, personnel issues and student records. Ms. Pierson taught Contemporary Developments in Special Education Law through Northern Arizona University during the Spring of 2014. She has also given in-service workshops to district personnel on a wide range of special education and disability related topics and speaks at state-wide conferences.
Sessions & Presenters
1:45-2:00 | PRE-RECORDED LOOP & INTRO OPENS EACH DAY |
2:00-3:15 | STRAND | TOPIC | SESSION | PRESENTER |
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Legal/Policy | Legal | Dispute Resolution By The Numbers | Lori Bird, J.D. | |
HLP | Collaboration | Courageous Conversations on Culture: Issues of Implicit Bias, Equity, and Disproportionality in Education | Yadira Flores, Ph.D., NCSP | |
HLP | Instruction | Teaching for Creativity: Math Learning in Elementary Inclusion Classrooms | Anani M. Vasquez, M.Ed. | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Cultivating Mindfulness To Enhance Student and Staff Well-being | Shari Dukes, Ph.D | |
Keynote | SEL Practices | SEL and Equity: Using Social-Emotional Skills to Facilitate Constructive Dialogue around Race and Identity | David Adams |
3:15-3:30 | BREAK |
3:30-3:45 | Welcome | WELCOME & MEMBERSHIP | Kim Peaslee & Alissa Krantz |
Keynote Speaker | Social Emotional Learning in the Age of COVID - Using High Leverage Practices to Facilitate Student Social and Emotional Growth | David Adams |
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5:00-5:15 | BREAK & AWARD VIDEO LOOP |
5:15-6:30 | STRAND | TOPIC | SESSION A TITLE | SESSION A PRESENTER |
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Keynote | Instruction | Learning is Social and Emotional: Leveraging SEL to Design Instructional Experiences | David Adams | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Sex Trafficking In The Schools: Recognizing Teen Victims And Identifying Prevention Strategies | Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, MSW, Ph.D. | |
HLP | Collaboration | Targeted Transition Programs: Differentiation for Greater Personalization, Increased Engagement, and Future Success | James Williams, M.Ed. | |
HLP | Instruction | Flexible Cognitive Strategies for Decoding and Understanding Multisyllabic Words | Jessica Williams, M.Ed. | |
HLP | Instruction | Strategies to Foster Active Engagement During Direct Instruction | Jodie Ray, M.S.Ed. | |
HLP | Instruction | Paper to Digital "How to" Interventions | Tracey Antista | |
HLP | Instruction | Navigating the New Norm: Online Instruction and Supports for Maximum Success | Rebecca Reimers, Ed.D. | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Conflict Is Inevitable BUT Combat Is Optional! : Proven Classroom Management Techniques | Francesca Bianco, MSSA, LCSW |
6:30-7:00 | Vendor Happy Hour | Vendors |
1:45-2:00 | PRE-RECORDED LOOP & INTRO OPENS EACH DAY |
2:00-3:15 | STRAND | TOPIC | SESSION TITLE | SESSION PRESENTER |
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Legal/Policy | Policy | Foundation for Blind Children ASU Partnership: Meeting the Need For TVI | Kathleen Puckett, Ph.D. | |
HLP | Collaboration | How do we ensure that our teacher candidates are learner ready?: Virtual environments within inclusive teacher preparation programs. | Amy Papacek, PhD | |
HLP | Instruction | Get the Gist: A Summarization Strategy to Foster Students' Comprehension and Meta-Cognition | Germaine Koziarski, M.Ed. | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Peer Leadership: Building Resiliency and Transition Skills Through Multiple High Leverage Practices | Sharon Makhoul | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Ensuring Equity For Students With Behavioral and Emotional Challenges In All Settings (virtual and in-person) | Dr. Kurt Hulett | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Teaching Students Sensory Regulation Strategies to Facilitate Social Behaviors | Sylvia A. Cohen, Ph.D. |
3:15-3:30 | BREAK |
3:30-3:45 | AWARDS | AWARD PRESENTATIONS | Trish Alley |
3:45-5:00 | Keynote Speaker | We Can’t Teach What We Don’t Know | Nancy Mather |
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5:00-5:15 | BREAK & AWARD VIDEO LOOP |
5:15-6:30 | STRAND | TOPIC | SESSION A TITLE | SESSION A PRESENTER |
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HLP | Instruction | HLP 18: Engagement Strategies in Virtual Instruction | Janet Holt | |
HLP | Assessment | Online Assessment Tools and their Impact on Student Learning | Daisy Pua, M.Ed. | |
HLP | Collaboration | Increasing Youth Engagement Through Collaboration | Jay Johnson | |
HLP | Instruction | Get A Move On Brain Breaks For Instruction And Professional Development | Mary Keeney | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Basics of Youth Suicide Prevention | Debi Neat | |
HLP | Instruction | Engaging Games and Routines to Teach Math | Alicia Holt | |
HLP | SEL Practices | All Systems Go: Self-Determination as Fuel for Success | Sam Klein, M.A. Ed. |
6:30-7:00 | Vendor Happy Hour | 7 |
1:45-2:00 | PRE-RECORDED LOOP & INTRO OPENS EACH DAY |
2:00-3:15 | STRAND | TOPIC | SESSION A TITLE | SESSION A PRESENTER |
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Legal/Policy | Legal | Prior Written Notice: Tips for Getting it Right | Kimberly R. Davis, Esq. | |
HLP | Assessment | Data-Based Individualization: Professional Learning Resources for Arizona Educators | Donna Sacco, Ph.D. | |
HLP | Collaboration | Courageous Conversations on Culture: Issues of Implicit Bias, Equity, and Disproportionality in Education | Yadira Flores, Ph.D., NCSP | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Behavioral Supports and Structures for Student and Staff Success | Melissa McCusker - Ed.D. | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Effective Use of High-Probability Request Sequences to Increase Cooperation with Safety Protocols | Stacy Jantzi, MPsy, PhDc | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Trauma & Wellness at PreK, ES, MS, HS: An Expert Panel | Debi Neat, M.Ed. |
3:15-3:30 | 3:15-3:30 BREAK |
3:30-3:45 | AWARDS | AWARD PRESENTATIONS | Trish Alley |
3:45-5:00 | Keynote Speaker | Legal Issues in Special Education: Case Law Review |
Heather R. Pierson |
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5:00-5:15 | BREAK & AWARD VIDEO LOOP |
5:15-6:30 | STRAND | TOPIC | SESSION A TITLE | SESSION A PRESENTER |
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Legal/Policy | Legal | All the Things You Never Thought You Needed to Know: A Legal Perspective for Teachers | Heather Pierson | |
HLP | Collaboration | Facilitating Effective IEP Meetings | Dr. Rebekah Dyer | |
HLP | Instruction | Storytelling And Synectics: The Untold Story | Nancy Dobbins, B.S., M.Ed. | |
Keynote | Instruction | Essentials of Dyslexia: Intervention | Nancy Mather, Ph.D. | |
HLP | Instruction | Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the Math Classroom | Jenifer Fernandez, M.A. | |
HLP | SEL Practices | Sex Trafficking In The Schools: Recognizing Teen Victims And Identifying Prevention Strategies | Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, MSW, Ph.D. |
6:30-7:00 | Annual Membership Meeting – Annual Reports, Nominations for Board Positions | AZCEC, AZCASE, AZDEC, AZCCBD |
2021 Sponsors
Keynote Presentation Sponsors: PresenceLearning, Let's Go Learn, eLuma
Thank you to the 2021 sponsors of our I Can Do It Student Awards:
Please visit with all our wonderful Exhibitors, chat at their virtual booth, and learn about new programs and products.
2021 Exhibitor Application
2021 Exhibitor Application is closed. For over 30 years, AZCEC/AZCASE has provided a wonderful opportunity to exhibit your business, services and support for special education students, teachers, principals and administrators in Arizona. Our conference attracts almost 400 educational decision makers from across the state - help us make an impact in education!
Email Jessica for more information
2021 Registration
Conference rate after February 1, 2021:
- CEC Member - $79.
- Non-Member Rate - $99.
- CEC Student Member - $29.
- Student (Part/Full-Time) - $59
Annual General Meeting - Feb. 24 @ 6:30 PM
- Join the AZCEC and AZCASE Annual General Board Meeting immediately after the conference. The board meeting is OPEN to all members.
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Hear executive reports from all board positions - 2019 AGM Minutes.
- Agenda available in February
Questions?
Please email all conference questions to: AZCEC.conference@gmail.com