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

Transition Activities That Prepare Students for Work After High School LIMITED

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

Denali (2nd Floor)

Discover the evidence-based predictors of post-school success for secondary transition students. How you can motivate them to be prepared and engaged for the workplace and 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.

Presenters

Jim Kreatschman

Youth Transition Coordinator, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Monday February 3, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm AKST
Denali (2nd Floor)

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Low Incidence, Rural Alaska, Transition

1:30pm AKST

Bridging Western and Alaska Native Ways in Transition Plans and IEPs LIMITED

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

Denali (2nd Floor)

The Western approach is evident in public education, and this can sometimes create misunderstandings or tensions with our Alaska Native students and families. When it comes to transition planning for after high school, there are many ways to support Indigenous values and skills development so the student can be a connected and contributing community member. You will learn about different strategies used by teachers in rural Alaska to integrate Alaska Native skills into the IEP and transition plans, and practice making IEP goals and transition plans culturally responsive for Alaska Native and rural students.

Presenters

Rain Van Den Berg

Owner, Rain Van Den Berg Consulting

Rain Van Den Berg is an education and training consultant with a background in education, health education, project management, and facilitation. Current projects include creating culturally responsive transition materials for Alaskan Special Education students, supporting organizational... Read More →

Frances Gage

Special Education Coordinator, NWABSD

Monday February 3, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm AKST
Denali (2nd Floor)

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Rural Alaska, Social-Emotional Learning, Transition

3:20pm AKST

Alaska Native Values-Understanding Alaska's First People LIMITED

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

Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

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 wants everyone she meets to understand the unique challenges students face in Western-style education. Dawn was a licensed foster parent for over... Read More →

Monday February 3, 2025 3:20pm - 4:50pm AKST
Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

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 LIMITED

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

Denali (2nd Floor)

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

Karen Heath

Co-Director, UAA Center for Human Development

Karen Heath is a lifelong Alaskan with a love for everything employment related. She started her journey in the employment field at Fairbanks Resource Agency as one of the first job coaches in the state. In the 90's She obtained her MS in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University... Read More →

Marissa Cabrera

Lisa Bass

Marley Elconin

Samantha Vetter

Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education

Kerri Tanet

Monday February 3, 2025 3:20pm - 4:50pm AKST
Denali (2nd Floor)

1.5 hrs Breakout

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

1:50pm AKST

Kids2Careers: PK-12 Postsecondary Exploration & Planning LIMITED

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

Aleutian (2nd Floor)

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
Aleutian (2nd Floor)

45 minutes Breakout

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

2:45pm AKST

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

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

Birch/Willow (1st Floor)

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
Birch/Willow (1st Floor)

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 LIMITED

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

Chartroom (15th Floor)

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
Chartroom (15th Floor)

45 minutes Breakout

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

10:30am AKST

Data! Data! Help your teachers, your paraprofessionals (and yourself) collect useable Data! LIMITED

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

Birch/Willow (1st Floor)

Special Education relies on data to track goal progress, behaviors, and eligibility. Data should be a happy world in our profession, not a thorn. How can we make data easier to collect and easier to use? Can collecting data be fun? Can it be exciting? YES!

Presenters

Linda Schipman

SPE Teacher, Bering Strait School District, Tukurngailnguq School (Stebbins)

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm AKST
Birch/Willow (1st Floor)

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Autism, Behavior, Bully Prevention, Inclusion, Low Incidence, Paraprofessionals, Rural Alaska, Social-Emotional Learning, Self-Advocacy, Transition