2025 Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference (ASSEC): Full Schedule

Conference website: www.assec.org

AGENDA AT A GLANCE
Sat./Sun., Feb. 1 & 2 - (2) Day Pre-Conference Credit Courses
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Mon., Feb. 3 - Main Conference - Day 1
8:15 am - 4:50 pm

Tues., Feb. 4 - Main Conference - Day 2
8:15 am - 3:30 pm

Wed., Feb. 5 - Main Conference - Day 3
8:15 am - 12:00 pm

***Agenda subject to change

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12:45pm AKST

Outdoor Education - Educating Students Outside for Better Results

Tuesday February 4, 2025 12:45pm - 1:30pm AKST

TBA

Scientists are beginning to find evidence that being in nature has a profound impact on our brains and our behavior, helping us to reduce anxiety and stress, while increasing our attention capacity, creativity, and our ability to connect with other people. In this session, you will learn how to conduct successful lessons and learning outside, while also exploring the positive impact it will have on the overall, well-being of your students.

Presenters

Karen Bostic Perlmeter

Arizona State University

Tuesday February 4, 2025 12:45pm - 1:30pm AKST
TBA

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Autism, Behavior, Bully Prevention, High Incidence, Inclusion, Literacy, Low Incidence, Related Services, Rural Alaska, Social Climate, Social-Emotional Learning, Self-Advocacy, Transition

1:50pm AKST

(Virtual Presentation) All reading counts: improving literacy for students with disabilities

Tuesday February 4, 2025 1:50pm - 2:35pm AKST

TBA

Many people have the idea that listening to audiobooks somehow doesn't count as reading. But audiobooks can be a lifesaver, not only for people with vision impairments, but also for students with reading disabilities. They transmit knowledge, build a joy of literature, and promote increasing attention spans. The Alaska Talking Book Center provides free access to audiobooks and more. Learn how to take advantage of this completely free service to improve literacy for ALL students.

Presenters

Freya Anderson

Head, Information Services & Historical Collections, Alaska Talking Book Center / Alaska State Library

A longtime Alaskan librarian, I'm passionate about working with others to make Alaska a better place for all. Areas of special interest are access to information, access to alternate formats for people who have difficulty reading traditional books, and using copyright fairly to... Read More →

Nadine Kramarz

Early Literacy and Children’s Services Coordinator, Alaska State Library

Nadine Kramarz is the Early Literacy and Children’s Coordinator for the Alaska State Library. She has been a student library aide, children’s librarian, reference librarian, and library director. She earned her MS in library and information science from Drexel University. Her... Read More →

Tuesday February 4, 2025 1:50pm - 2:35pm AKST
TBA

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Autism, Inclusion, Literacy, Related Services, Technology

1:50pm AKST

Differentiation in the Secondary Classroom

Tuesday February 4, 2025 1:50pm - 2:35pm AKST

TBA

Differentiated instruction is teaching with student variance in mind. It means starting where the kids are rather than adopting a standardized approach to teaching that seems to presume that all learners of a given age or grade are essentially alike. Thus, differentiated instruction is “responsive” teaching rather than “one-size-fits-all” teaching.

Presenters

Karen Bostic Perlmeter

Arizona State University

Tuesday February 4, 2025 1:50pm - 2:35pm AKST
TBA

45 minutes Breakout

Audience Introductory (Under 3 years experience)
Subject Behavior, High Incidence, Inclusion, Literacy, Low Incidence, Paraprofessionals, Rural Alaska, Autism

1:50pm AKST

Mighty Mouse: How I raised my hero with our Dream Team.

Tuesday February 4, 2025 1:50pm - 2:35pm AKST

TBA

Born at 20.5 weeks, my son was not expected to make it home from the hospital. More than 28 years later, I want to share his story, and what it took to get him where he is now. This is a celebration of my son, our family, and the best teams in the world, working like spokes in a wheel, for forward progress in his life, in rural Alaska.

Presenters

Jeri Trail

Tuesday February 4, 2025 1:50pm - 2:35pm AKST
TBA

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Autism, Behavior, Bully Prevention, Family, Inclusion, Rural Alaska, Self-Advocacy, Paraprofessionals

1:50pm AKST

Working Together: Enhancing Special Education Services Through Collaboration

Tuesday February 4, 2025 1:50pm - 2:35pm AKST

TBA

This presentation explores the critical role of collaboration in delivering high-quality special education services. Participants will learn strategies to foster effective teamwork between general and special education teachers, specialists, administrators, paraprofessionals, and families. Emphasizing shared responsibility and open communication, the session will highlight best practices for co-teaching, individualized support, and inclusive environments. Attendees will leave with practical tools to enhance collaboration.

Presenters

Robyn Capp

University of Alaska of Southeast (UAS)

Tuesday February 4, 2025 1:50pm - 2:35pm AKST
TBA

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Autism, Behavior, Family, High Incidence, Inclusion, Low Incidence, Paraprofessionals, Related Services, Rural Alaska

2:45pm AKST

Transition Services into Adulthood: Connecting with Community Resources/ Navigating the Process

Tuesday February 4, 2025 2:45pm - 3:30pm AKST

TBA

This presentation highlights the critical importance of transition services in special education, emphasizing agency connections, recreational leisure, and experiential learning in the community. Participants will explore effective strategies for fostering collaboration between educators, families, and local agencies to enhance student outcomes. By integrating community resources and recreational opportunities, we can empower students with disabilities to develop essential life skills, build social connections, and navigate their transition to adulthood. Join us to discover innovative practices that support holistic development and promote successful, meaningful transitions for all learners.

Presenters

Adam Ahonen

Life Skills Special Ed, ASD

Adam Smith

Tuesday February 4, 2025 2:45pm - 3:30pm AKST
TBA

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Autism, Family, High Incidence, Inclusion, Low Incidence, Related Services, Rural Alaska, Social-Emotional Learning, Self-Advocacy, Transition