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

10:30am AKST

K-12 Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing: The Educational Impact

Monday February 3, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm AKST

TBA

What does the impact of hearing loss for a student in my classroom look like?
What questions should I be asking?
Who can I reach out to for more information?
What are some general accommodations that I can share with my team for my students to better access the curriculum?
Come to this breakout session and leave with a better understanding of how to support your student in the classroom!

Presenters

Abby Steer

Special Education Service Agency

Monday February 3, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm AKST
TBA

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience Introductory (Under 3 years experience)
Subject Low Incidence

10:30am AKST

Transition Activities That Prepare Students for Work After High School

Monday February 3, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm AKST

TBA

Students who are prepared for the workplace are more likely to have post-school success in employment. DVR offers programs like JOBZ Club, S’Cool Store, and Pathways to enhance your transition services and engage students in preparing for work. Or have you got an idea percolating on developing your own transition services but need funding and technical assistance to make it happen? DVR can provide both through its Pre-Employment Transition Services.

Exhibitors

Jim Kreatschman

Youth Transition Coordinator, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Monday February 3, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm AKST
TBA

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Low Incidence, Rural Alaska, Transition

1:30pm AKST

Early Identification of Children with Deafblindness

Monday February 3, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm AKST

TBA

This presentation focuses on the critical importance of early identification of children with deafblindness, a condition that impacts both hearing and vision. Early detection allows for timely interventions, which are essential for supporting the child's communication, cognitive development, and social skills. By identifying these children at a young age, caregivers and educators can implement specialized strategies and resources, such as sensory stimulation, tailored educational programs, and assistive technologies, to enhance their quality of life and overall development. Early identification ultimately empowers children with deafblindness to reach their full potential and participate more fully in society.

Presenters

Angel Black

Project Director, The Alaska Deafblind Project

Abby Steer

Special Education Service Agency

Monday February 3, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm AKST
TBA

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Administrator, Family, Low Incidence, Paraprofessionals, Related Services

1:30pm AKST

Strategies for Teaching Social Emotional Learning to Autistic Individuals

Monday February 3, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm AKST

TBA

In this session, participants will learn about the five components of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and strategies for teaching SEL to autistic people. More specifically, the presenter will provide examples of SEL lessons that align with the three severity levels of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The goal is for participants to leave with a thorough understanding of what SEL is and how to create individualized lessons for the autistic people they work with. Finally, the presenters will share information about the Autism Resource Center and how the agency supports Alaskans.

Presenters

Kelly Maki

Autism Specialist, Special Education Service Agency

Autumn Holt

Autism Resource Specialist, Alaska Autism Resource Center (AARC)

The Alaska Autism Resource Center (AARC) supports individuals of all ages with autism spectrum, their families, caregivers, and service providers throughout the state of Alaska.

Monday February 3, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm AKST
TBA

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Autism, Low Incidence, Social-Emotional Learning

3:20pm AKST

Supporting Student Engagement & Behavior in the Classroom: UA Panel Discussion

Monday February 3, 2025 3:20pm - 4:50pm AKST

TBA

Join professors from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), and University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) School of Education for an engaging Q&A panel on behavior management in the classroom. The panelists will discuss effective engagement strategies, cultural influences, ways to foster inclusion, and trauma-responsive behavior techniques. No matter your role in a school, this event offers valuable insights to enhance your approach to behavior management and support diverse learners. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical knowledge and strategies for creating a positive learning environment!

Presenters

Robyn Capp

University of Alaska of Southeast (UAS)

Tara Maltby

Faculty, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Brooke Freeburg

Faculty, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Emily Smith

Monday February 3, 2025 3:20pm - 4:50pm AKST
TBA

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Behavior, High Incidence, Inclusion, Low Incidence, Paraprofessionals, Related Services, Rural Alaska, Social-Emotional Learning, Administrator, Autism

3:20pm AKST

Using Descriptive Teaching to Support the Learning of AAC users

Monday February 3, 2025 3:20pm - 4:50pm AKST

TBA

“Using a descriptive style, the teacher mentions and references the context-specific words, then teaches concepts behind the words using high frequency, re-usable, common words” (Van Tatenhove 2009). The teachers explain a term using common words that they know are already in the communicator’s AAC system. Rather than memorizing vocabulary to answer closed ended questions students use core vocabulary to demonstrate understanding of a concept.

Presenters

Jennifer Schroder

Multiple Disability Specialist, SESA

My name is Jennifer and I was born and raised in MN. My first teaching job was in Bethel, AK. After that I worked at a residential school for children with autism and then as a teacher for students with multiple disabilities at a school for the Deaf. I returned to AK to work... Read More →

Monday February 3, 2025 3:20pm - 4:50pm AKST
TBA

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Autism, Inclusion, Literacy, Low Incidence, Technology

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

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

2:45pm AKST

Unlocking Potential: Recognizing and Responding to Executive Function Challenges in the Classroom

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

TBA

Executive function skills—such as planning, organization, and self-regulation—are crucial for student success, both academically and in life. This session explores how using a universal design approach to teach these skills can benefit all learners, while also meeting the specific needs of neurodiverse students such as those with a history of traumatic brain injury. Participants will learn practical strategies to create inclusive classrooms that nurture independence, resilience, and long-term success.

Presenters

Sena Gilbert

Youth Brain Injury Program Coordinator, SERRC, Alaska's Educational Resource Center: Youth Brain Injury Program

I have a passion for improving community collaboration and developing training and practices that support students and families impacted by brain injuries. SERRC's Youth Brain Injury Program is a statewide system of support for Alaska students with brain injury which includes addressing... Read More →

Sarah Moreau

SERRC Alaska's Educational Resource Center: Youth Brain Injury Program

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

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Administrator, Behavior, Inclusion, Low Incidence, Paraprofessionals, Related Services, Transition

10:30am AKST

The Road to High Quality-Defensible Instruction for Significant Disabilities

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm AKST

TBA

The changed environment of instruction after the pandemic means administration and management of special education must be thoughtfully planned and executed for staff, students, and families. The work of addressing instruction with staff new or relocated to classrooms of students with moderate-severe disabilities along with the differentiated learning needs of these students is complex. Social – emotional supports; for staff and students must be provided along with rigorous and clear directions for the implementation of a curriculum which meets the highest standards for student learning. Come to this session to discuss the challenges and successes in implementation of an outstanding structure and roadmap from moderate to large urban Public Schools.

Presenters

Ann Meyer

Vice President, Attainment Company

Attainment is the leading provider of blended learning solutions with traditional curriculum, apps, software, web-based programs, and AT solutions for special education PreK- 12+. A scientific research-based approach to curriculum creation for ELA, math, science, social studies, and... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm AKST
TBA

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Administrator, Inclusion, Low Incidence, Technology