Skip to main content
Graphic with text saying Virtual Annual State Conference and photo of 4 adults leaning onto a table with papers in front of them

Our Voices | Our State | Be amAZing

Join us February 27 + 28, 2024 for our Virtual Annual State Conference from 2:00 - 6:00 PM MST. This online format means that more educators can attend because the Keynote address is scheduled for 3:45 PM when most teachers are finished teaching and therefore substitutes are not necessary. Travel, hotel, or per diem are also not necessary for this event.

FYI, the 2023 conference info below gives you a taste of the amAZing sessions coming soon! Registration for 2024 will open soon, keynote speakers and the schedule will also post before the end of December.

SAVE THE DATE - SEE YOU IN 2024!

Date

February 27, 2024 - February 28, 2024
2:00 pm - 6:30 pm
MST
Add to Calendar 2024-02-27 14:00:00 2024-02-28 18:30:00 Arizona State Conference https://azcec.org/events/arizona-state-conference United States Council for Exceptional Children AZCEC.conference@gmail.com America/New_York public

2023 Keynote Speakers

Barbara Steinberg- founder of PDX Reading Specialist

barbra

Barbara Steinberg has been mentoring and inspiring students, educators, and parents for more than 25 years, first as a classroom teacher and now as a dyslexia and educational consultant. She is the founder of PDX Reading Specialist, an organization whose mission is to inspire individuals to become CONFIDENT and CAPABLE learners. 

At her core, Barbara is an educator and advocate working to reshape the narrative of what it means to learn differently. She is a nationally recognized speaker, delivering keynote speeches for Learning Ally, EdWeb and Decoding Dyslexia. She is passionate about training educators on how to deliver evidence-based instruction, equipping them with tools to be successful, and inspiring all to believe that we can not only overcome reading challenges, but prevent them from taking hold. Barbara hopes her workshop inspires and empowers you to help students become confident and capable learners.    

Michael J. Kennedy is Professor of Special Education in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia

kennedy

Michael J. Kennedy is Professor of Special Education in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia.  He is the head of the STORMED Lab (Supporting Teachers through cOaching, obseRvations, and Multimedia to Educate students with Disabilities). Before completing his Ph.D. at the University of Kansas, he was a high school special education teacher for six years and an elementary level teacher for three years.  

Dr. Kennedy's main area of research is the design, implementation, and experimental testing of multimedia-based interventions to support pre- and in-service teachers' knowledge and implementation of evidence-based practices.  He has designed and experimentally tested numerous multimedia products intended to support teacher and student outcomes.  Innovations include Content Acquisition Podcasts (CAPs), which are instructional vignettes intended to support teachers’ knowledge and readiness to implement evidence-based and high-leverage practices.  CAPs can also be used to support literacy and content related outcomes for students with high incidence disabilities. 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ben Springer-Director of the Family Education Center in Wasatch County School District 

ben

Ben Springer is an award-winning and Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Ben is also the author of the popular book, "Happy Kids Don't Punch You in the Face" and has just released a new book for parents called, "GPS: Good Parenting Strategies: The No-Guilt Survival Guide for Parents During the Pandemic and Beyond" from Corwin Press. 

Ben received his master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Utah in Educational Psychology. Ben has worked professionally as a teacher, autism specialist, school psychologist, and director of special education. Currently, Ben works as the director of the Family Education Center in Wasatch County School District and manages Totem PD, a professional learning company focusing on practical, ready-to-use tools for educators
 

 

 

2023 Sessions & Presenters

 
         
1:45-2:00   PRE-RECORDED LOOP & INTRO OPENS EACH DAY
         
2:00-3:15 STRAND TOPIC SESSION PRESENTER
  Legal/ Policy Legal/ Policy IDEA Legal and Policy Implications of Applied Behavior Analysis for Students with ASD Juliet Hart Barnett, Ph.D.
  Legal/ Policy Legal/ Policy Your Top 10 IEE Questions Answered David Garner
  Legal/ Policy Legal/ Policy Title TBA Denise Lowell-Britt
  Legal/ Policy Legal/ Policy Implementation Of ESG Metrics For A More Sustainable Future Amanda Johnson
  Support Staff Support/ Retention Building Educators Agency: Giving Educators Their Power Back Benjamin Sullens
  Support Staff Support/ Retention Strengthening Schools Through Educator Wellbeing Michael Fauteux
         
3:15-3:30 BREAK BREAK BREAK SHOW 2021 AWARD PRESENTATIONS IN A LOOP SOCIO
         
3:30-3:45 WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME & MEMBERSHIP Kim Peaslee & Carrie Brandon
3:45-5:00 Keynote Speaker Keynote Speaker Preventing Reading Failure: The Importance of Explicit, Foundational Skill Instruction for ALL Students Barbara Steinberg
         
5:00-5:15 BREAK BREAK BREAK SHOW 2022 AWARD PRESENTATIONS  IN A LOOP SOCIO
         
5:15-6:30 STRAND TOPIC SESSION A TITLE PRESENTER
  Keynote Interventions How to Intensify Instruction for Students who Struggle Barbara Steinberg
  Legal/ Policy Legal/Policy Legal Tips from Federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Guidance Lorie A. Gerkey
  Legal/ Policy Legal/Policy Top 10 Ways Schools Sabotage Themselves In Due Process (And Avoiding Them)! David Garner
  Legal/ Policy Legal/Policy Title TBA Heather Pierson
  HLP Interventions Stop The Disciplinary Train In Its Tracks - Effective Interventions Evelyn Shepherd
  HLP Interventions My Kids Don’t Know Their Facts! Seven Significant Strategies for Math Fluency Jenifer Fernandez
  Support Staff Support/ Retention Self-Care Is Not Selfish Sandy Ortiz

 

 
2/15/23 WEDNESDAY 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 1:45-6:30 pm MST
1:45-2:00 PRE-RECORDED LOOP & INTRO OPENS EACH DAY    
2:00-3:15 STRAND TOPIC SESSION TITLE SESSION PRESENTER
  Support Staff Support/Retention HLP Book Study: Bringing educators together for best practices in inclusive classrooms Dr. Jessica DeBiase, Ed.D.
  Support Staff Support/Retention Helping Staff Identify Signs/Symptoms And Establish Self-care To Prevent Burnout Dr. Sylvia Cohen, Ph.D.
  Support Staff Support/Retention The Power of Relationship in Collaborative Circles Diane Kent
  Support Staff Support/Retention Recruitment and Retention of School-Based Behavioral Health Professionals Jesscia Fisher, M.Ed., CAGS
  HLP Interventions MTSS Essentials To Build A Successful and Sustainable Framework From The Ground Up Stacy Anderson
  HLP Interventions High Leverage Practices Do Change The Learning Profiles For Students With Dyslexia Brill Pennington
         
3:15-3:30 BREAK BREAK BREAK SHOW 2021 AWARD PRESENTATIONS IN A LOOP SOCIO
         
3:30-3:45 BREAK BREAK BREAK SHOW 2022 AWARD PRESENTATIONS IN A LOOP SOCIO
3:45-5:00 Keynote Speaker Keynote Speaker Are We Paying Enough Attention to Cognitive Load When Designing and Delivering Instruction for Students with Disabilities? (Probably Not – But We Should!) Michael J Kennedy
         
5:00-5:15   BREAK BREAK SHOW 2022 AWARD PRESENTATIONS IN A LOOP SOCIO
         
5:15-6:30 STRAND TOPIC SESSION TITLE SESSION PRESENTER
  Keynote Speaker Interventions Supporting Students Through Investments in Your Practice: Come to the Bank of the HLPs Michael Kennedy
  Support Staff Support/Retention Responsive Facilitation: Preventing and Navigating Conflict in Meetings Stacey Anderson
  Support Staff Support/Retention Educator Wellness & Resiliency Workshop James Bock Ed.D
  HLP Interventions Using the High Leverage Practice of Precision Teaching and Standard Celeration Charting to Improve Reading and Math Skills Anne Iniguez, M.Ed. ET/P
  HLP Service Delivery Increasing Student Transition Planning Knowledge And Skills With Pre-Employment Transition Services Collaboration Traci Przecioski, MA CRC
  HLP Interventions Low Intensity Classroom Practices Will Save Your Day Carrie Brandon, NBCT
  HLP Service Delivery Training paraprofessionals to utilize the hand under hand teaching strategy Katie Armstrong

 

 
2/16/23 THURSDAY 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 1:45-7:00 pm MST            
1:45-2:00  PRE-RECORDED LOOP & INTRO OPENS EACH DAY    
2:00-3:15 STRAND TOPIC SESSION TITLE SESSION  PRESENTER
  Support Staff Support/ Retention Building a Culture and Community of Caring Steve King
  Support Staff Support/ Retention Burn the Churn: Retention Support for Life-Long Special Education Teachers Kimberly Rice, MEd
  HLP Interventions Differential Reinforcement: Learn, Practice, and Apply Right Now! Lianne McGinley, M.Ed
  HLP Service Delivery Using Peer Tutors to Increase Student Engagement & Achievement Jennifer Perry
         
3:15-3:30 BREAK BREAK SHOW 2022 AWARD PRESENTATIONS  IN A LOOP SOCIO
         
3:30-3:45 AWARDS 2023 AWARDS NEW!! 2023 AWARD PRESENTATIONS Trish Alley
3:45-5:00 Keynote Speaker Keynote Speaker Optimism, Resilience, and You Ben Springer
         
5:00-5:15 BREAK BREAK NEW!! 2023 AWARD PRESENTATIONS IN A LOOP SOCIO
         
5:15-6:30 STRAND TOPIC SESSION TITLE SESSION PRESENTER
  Keynote Staff Support/ Retention Title TBA Ben Springer
  HLP Interventions Supporting Students with Executive Function Challenges Samantha DePalo, M.Ed.
  Support Staff Support/ Retention Paraprofessionals: What Makes Them Stay and What Makes Them Leave? Kassandra Spurlock, M. Ed.
  Support Staff Support/ Retention Taking a Closer Look: IEP Facilitation Through a Trauma-Responsive Lens Lauren Blocher
  HLP Interventions Super HLP: Your Classroom Management Origin Story Will Butler, Ed.D
  HLP Service Delivery Implementation of hand under hand instruction: effect on student performance Katie Armstrong
6:30-7:15 Meeting All AZCEC Members Welcome Annual General Meeting – Annual Reports, Nominations for Board Positions AZCEC, AZCASE, AZCCBD

 

2023 Sponsors

Keynote Sponsors

next-level
eLuma square logo
learn

 

I Can Do It Award Sponsors

 
Koi
IEP-PRO

 

next-level

 

Conference Exhibitors

DES Logo
 
IEP-PRO
eLuma square logo
greenfield
Koi
lindamod logo
 
next-level
 
rethinkEd
 
SEAS logo
learn
 
Wilson

 

2024 Exhibitor Application

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 virtual conference and after-school event allows schools from across the state to send participants regardless of distance - providing great visibility and awareness of your company.

As always, we sincerely appreciate your support of our organizations, participants and student awards!

2024 Sponsor/Exhibitor Packages

Registration Here

Email Carrie for more information

2024 Registration

Early Bird Conference Rate:

  • CEC Member - $69
  • Team of 3 - $69 each
  • Non-Member Rate - $89

Conference Rate in January 2024:

  • CEC Member - $89
  • Team of 3 - $89 each
  • Non-Member Rate - $109

Annual General Meeting | Feb.16 @ 6:30 PM

  • Join the AZCEC and AZCASE Annual General Board Meeting immediately after the conference. The board meeting is OPEN to all members.
  • Agenda available in February

 

 Questions?

Please email all conference questions to: AZCEC.conference@gmail.com 

© 2023 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). All rights reserved.