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

Alaska Mental Health in Schools Community of Practice

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

TBA

This presentation talks about the Mental Health Supports in Schools and a new Community of Practice, initiative by the The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and the State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. It aims to bring together teams of education leadership, mental and behavioral health professionals, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to learn together to strengthen mental health supports in their school districts and communities. The presenters will be talking about the community of practice, its purpose, goals, composition, and plans for the upcoming year.

Presenters

Sharon Fishel

Dept. of Education and Early Development

Pat Sidmore

Dept. of Education and Early Development

Micki Dunn

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

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Administrator, Behavior, Related Services, Rural Alaska, Social-Emotional Learning, Social Climate

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

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

Kids2Careers: PK-12 Postsecondary Exploration & Planning

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

TBA

ACPE's Kids2Careers includes a new suite of FREE resources (5-12) to help students and families with important grade level postsecondary and career exploration and planning steps, plus Early Career Explorers (PK-4) classroom resources. Learn about our 6-lesson Curriculum, in-person and digital Campus Events, Panel Discussions, Pathway Planning Presentations, Student Success Steps (PK-12), Family Guiding Steps (PK-12), Digital Senior Calendar, Senior Checklist, Planning Templates, and SO much more!

Presenters

Shelly Morgan

K-12 Specialist, Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education

As the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE’s) K-12 Specialist, I manage the postsecondary & career exploration and planning resources Early Career Explorers (PK-4) and Kids2Careers (5-12). I develop curriculum and postsecondary planning resources to help educators... Read More →

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

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Administrator, Family, Inclusion, Paraprofessionals, Rural Alaska, Social-Emotional Learning, Self-Advocacy, Technology, Transition

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

Address your stress with some self-care

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

TBA

Feeling stressed, come to this short session to relax. Wear some comfy clothes and come for some time of stretching, breathing, and motivational words! Participants may find or share ways they like to de-stress. Presenter is not a doctor or licensed anything except stressed teacher. She will simply be sharing ways she manages her stress through gentle movements and activities.

Presenters

Jodi Grewe

Special Education Teacher, KPBSD

Greetings!!!I love teaching and have been enjoying our great state since 2005!!!

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

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Family, Paraprofessionals, Related Services, Rural Alaska, Social Climate, Administrator

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