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

Engaging Neurodiverse Students through Multimedia and Project-Based Learning

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

TBA

A deep dive into using multimedia, hands-on projects, and student-led presentations to help neurodivergent students thrive. Emphasizing how creative outlets and tech tools like digital storytelling and game-based learning can engage SPED students.

Presenters

Billeen Carlson

Secondary Generalist, Nikolaevsk School

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

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Autism, Behavior, Inclusion, Literacy, Paraprofessionals, Self-Advocacy, Technology

3:20pm AKST

Alaska Native Values-Understanding Alaska's First People

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

TBA

This presentation offers educators the opportunity to delve into important values that Alaska Native peoples have held for centuries. Whether you are new, or a seasoned educator you will learn about topics including Historical trauma, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and how tribal support can help your students transitioning out of school, SPED Resources, traditional values, and communication methods. You will learn how the Alaska Native world view will influence your students' progress in the Western world. This presenter will also have an opportunity to interact with Alaska Native arts and artifacts and ask questions about how and why they are an important part of Alaska Native Values.

Presenters

Dawn Young Valley

Sisu Services for Alaskans

Dawn is Gwich'in Athabaskan and Aleut from the Native Village of Fort Yukon. She cares passionately about the Alaska Native population and want everyone she meets to understand the unique challenges they face in Western style education. Dawn is relativly new to the teaching profession... Read More →

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

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Administrator, ABA, Autism, Behavior, Family, Inclusion, Paraprofessionals, Related Services, Rural Alaska, Social Climate, Social-Emotional Learning, Self-Advocacy, Transition

3:20pm AKST

DIF Grant and Employment Training Opportunities for Transition Age Youth with Disabilities

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

TBA

Presentation about the recently awarded Disability Innovation Fund grant to Department of Education and Early Development and it’s funding for programs to increase the number of Alaska youth and other individuals with disabilities into competitively integrated employment. Discussion of key activities, partner organizations, goals, and available programs and resources being funded by this grant and where individuals can seek resources to assist youth with disabilities leaving school prepare for the workforce.

Presenters

Samantha Vetter

Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education

Kerri Tanet

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

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Administrator, Autism, Behavior, Inclusion, Self-Advocacy, Transition

12:45pm AKST

Breakout Session - Jordan LeVan

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

TBA

Information to Come

Presenters

Jordan Christian LeVan

IEP Advocate, Fighting for my Voice LLC

Jordan Christian LeVan is a disability and mental health advocate residing in Greensboro, NC. Jordan graduated from Guilford College with a bachelor's degree in psychology, emphasizing mental health studies. Living with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and multiple disabilities... Read More →

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

45 minutes Breakout

Audience Introductory (Under 3 years experience)
Subject Behavior, Administrator, Family, Inclusion, Social-Emotional Learning, Self-Advocacy

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

12:45pm AKST

Understanding FBA's and BIP's

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

TBA

Understanding FBA’s and BIP’s is a look into Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans- so that you understand them better. Can explain to others what they are and how they are properly used. We will also look at how to include secondary students in the process of both FBA’s and BIP’s. Hopefully there will be time to share experiences that attendees have had and collaborate solutions to try.

Presenters

Kimberly Santagata

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

45 minutes Breakout

Audience Introductory (Under 3 years experience)
Subject Behavior, Administrator, Family, Inclusion, Social-Emotional Learning, Self-Advocacy

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

2:45pm AKST

AI for SPED: Tech Tools to Enhance Learning for Neurodivergent Students

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

TBA

A tech-focused presentation on leveraging AI tools like text-to-speech, AI-generated lesson plans, and tailored feedback loops to support SPED students. This session would highlight how AI can reduce teacher workload, automatically generate scaffolding for struggling students, and create personalized learning experiences.

Presenters

Billeen Carlson

Secondary Generalist, Nikolaevsk School

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

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Inclusion, Paraprofessionals, Self-Advocacy, Technology

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

10:30am AKST

Disability Justice: From Awareness to Action

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

TBA

This seminar will introduce participants to the concept of “Disability Justice’, focusing on its history, key principles, and real-world applications. The session will explore the intersectionality of disability with race, class, gender, and other identities, highlighting the ways systemic ableism affects marginalized communities. Participants will leave with practical tools to support the movement in their own communities.

Presenters

Winter Marshall-Allen

SpEd Teacher, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

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

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Bully Prevention, Family, Inclusion, Self-Advocacy

10:30am AKST

Rethinking “Challenging” Behaviors: Moving Toward Self-Advocacy & a Preventative Framework

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

TBA

When faced with “challenging” behaviors, there are many considerations, frameworks to use and strategies to try. The primary focus is on managing the situation including the safety of everyone present. However, all behaviors occur for a reason, including “challenging” behaviors. In managing the situation, this means the needs triggering a student’s “challenging” behaviors is often overlooked. Reducing these incidents over time means identifying a student’s unmet need and finding ways to meet that need in different ways. Today, we’ll redefine “challenging” behavior, link it to self-advocacy and use foundational behavior analysis concepts to determine those needs and preventative interventions.

Presenters

Chris Sturm

Clinical Director, UAA's Center for Human Development

Ali Pike

University of Alaska's Center for Human Development

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

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience Intermediate (4-8 Years of experience)
Subject ABA, Administrator, Autism, Behavior, Self-Advocacy