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

8:15am AKST

Welcome & Keynote Presentation - "Reclaim your Joy & Enthusiasm" - Molly Kennedy

Monday February 3, 2025 8:15am - 10:00am AKST

Alaska Ballroom (2nd Floor)

Welcome - Heather Wheeler, Chair ASSEC 2025

"Reclaim your Joy & Enthusiasm" - Molly Kennedy
Our students have changed. Educators at every level are exhausted, spread too thin and in the burn out cycle of battling everyday for cooperation, engagement and calm.

This keynote will help educators feel reenergized and rediscover their JOY! They’ll smile, laugh (a lot) and walk out saying, “That’s exactly what I needed to hear today.”

As a veteran educator, with 26 years working with students, Molly speaks to teachers’ hearts, so they feel seen, valued and celebrated. The ripple effect means even greater student success.

Presenters

Molly Kennedy

Keynote Speaker, Author, Educator, Molly Kennedy Speaks

Molly Kennedy has dedicated the past 26 years to empowering people to have more resilience, confidence and learning to leverage their adversity into results.Challenges and trauma followed Molly throughout her life. She grew up in a dysfunctional family with addiction, divorce, neglect... Read More →

Monday February 3, 2025 8:15am - 10:00am AKST
Alaska Ballroom (2nd Floor)

Keynote 1.5 hrs

Audience All Experience

8:15am AKST

2025 ASSEC Awards Breakfast

Tuesday February 4, 2025 8:15am - 9:35am AKST

Alaska Ballroom (2nd Floor)

Join us for a special breakfast to honor the nominees as well as the winners of the CASE Distinguished Special Education Administrator Award, the recipient of the CASE Scholarship, and the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education Inclusive Practice Award.

8:15 am – 9:00 am – Breakfast and networking at your leisure
9:00 am – 9:10 am – CASE Distinguished Special Education Administrator Award and the Recipient of the CASE Scholarship - Terry Manning & Melissa Mathews, CASE
9:10 - 9:15 am - Alaska CEC Student Graphic Design Contest - Robanne Stading, CEC
9:15 am – 9:35 am – Inclusive Practice Awards - Jena Crafton (GCDSE Chair) & Richard Saville, GCDSE

Tuesday February 4, 2025 8:15am - 9:35am AKST
Alaska Ballroom (2nd Floor)

9:45am AKST

Morning Pass On & Keynote Presentation - "The Power of Me: From Self-Acceptance to Self-Advocacy." - Jordan LeVan

Tuesday February 4, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am AKST

Alaska Ballroom (2nd Floor)

In this session, we will explore the transformative journey from self-acceptance to self-advocacy. Embracing who you truly are is the foundation for building the confidence and strength needed to advocate for yourself effectively. Participants will learn how cultivating self-love and accepting their authentic selves empowers them to speak up, set boundaries, and access the support they deserve. This session will highlight the importance of self-acceptance as a vital tool in becoming your own best advocate, with the speaker sharing insights from his own life experiences.

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 9:45am - 11:15am AKST
Alaska Ballroom (2nd Floor)

Keynote 1.5 hrs

Audience All Experience

8:15am AKST

Welcome & Keynote Presentation - "Dani Bowman’s Life Journey Growing up with Autism and 15 years of DaniMation" - Dani Bowman

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:15am - 10:00am AKST

Alaska Ballroom (2nd Floor)

Welcome - Heather Wheeler, ASSEC 2025 Chair

Keynote Presentation - "Dani Bowman’s Life Journey Growing up with Autism and 15 years of DaniMation "– Dani Bowman
Dani Bowman, an animator, teacher, and business owner, began her journey at age three with a love for animation. At 14, she turned her passion into a career by founding DaniMation. Today, she is a leader in creating job opportunities for people with diverse abilities. Dani shares her challenges, successes, and her mission to inspire and mentor others on the autism spectrum. She also explains how her company uses creativity to make a positive difference in the lives of neurodiverse individuals.

Presenters

Dani Bowman

Founder & Chief Creative Officer, DaniMation Entertainment LLC

Dani Bowman founded her company, DaniMation Entertainment, at age 11. She has worked professionally in the animation industry since 14. Bowman has premiered 11 award-wining animated short films at San Diego Comic-Con each year for the past 10 years. Her shorts feature the voices... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:15am - 10:00am AKST
Alaska Ballroom (2nd Floor)

Keynote 1.5 hrs

Audience All Experience