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

8:00am AKST

THE COURSE IS NOT FULL, YOU MUST COMPLETE ONLINE REGISTATION FIRST TO ADD THIS TO YOUR SCHEDULE The Struggle is Real: But it Doesn't Have to be so Hard - Day 1 of 2 FULL

Saturday February 1, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm AKST

Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

**You must register online for this pre-conference class to attend this course. Once you complete your online registration, you will be added to this pre-conference session by the admin.

Everyone struggles with adversity, uncertainty, and the ‘I’m not enough’ mindset. These limiting beliefs find their way into every aspect of life. This often leads to overwhelm, burnout and negatively affects connection and productivity.

During this highly interactive and engaging workshop, you will learn how to flip your mindset, control the controllables and leverage adversity into your advantage. This transformation will allow you to create the next level version of yourself which results in better morale, more productivity and greater success in your school.

This workshop turns ‘Yeah but’ into ‘LET’S GO’ with actionable steps to thrive!

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 →

Saturday February 1, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm AKST
Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

Pre-Conference Workshop

Audience All Experience

8:00am AKST

THE COURSE IS NOT FULL, YOU MUST COMPLETE ONLINE REGISTATION FIRST TO ADD THIS TO YOUR SCHEDULE The Struggle is Real: But it Doesn't Have to be so Hard - Day 2 of 2 FULL

Sunday February 2, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm AKST

Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

Presenters

Molly Kennedy

Keynote Speaker, Author, Educator, Molly Kennedy Speaks

Sunday February 2, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm AKST
Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

Pre-Conference Workshop

Audience All Experience

10:30am AKST

Review of the Evaluation Summary and Eligibility Report with information about federal regulations for compliance. LIMITED

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

Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

Participants will review the Evaluation Summary and Eligibility Report as a comprehensive document that assesses an individual's eligibility for special education services. They will learn about the federal regulations, ensuring that all criteria are met and documented accurately.

Presenters

Colleen Shivers

AK Department of Education and Early Development

Gail Greenhalgh

Special Education Consulting Services

Monday February 3, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm AKST
Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience

1:30pm AKST

Individual Education Program paperwork, review and discussion LIMITED

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

Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

Participants will learn the essential components of an IEP, including present levels of performance, measurable goals, and necessary accommodations. Emphasis will be placed on collaborative planning with educators, parents, and specialists to ensure that the IEP effectively addresses the unique needs of each student.

Presenters

Colleen Shivers

AK Department of Education and Early Development

Gail Greenhalgh

Special Education Consulting Services

Monday February 3, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm AKST
Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience

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

12:45pm AKST

Alaska Mental Health in Schools Community of Practice LIMITED

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

Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

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

Pat Sidmore

Dept. of Education and Early Development

Micki Dunn

Tuesday February 4, 2025 12:45pm - 1:30pm AKST
Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

45 minutes Breakout

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

1:50pm AKST

State of Alaska - Guidance for Special Education Personnel Handbook Review LIMITED

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

Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

A review of the State of Alaska Guidance for Special Education Personnel Handbook. Participants will learn where information is located to support their understanding of Alaska and Federal Regulations.

Presenters

Colleen Shivers

AK Department of Education and Early Development

Gail Greenhalgh

Special Education Consulting Services

Tuesday February 4, 2025 1:50pm - 2:35pm AKST
Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience

2:45pm AKST

Compliance Monitoring Review and Discussion LIMITED

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

Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

Special Education Compliance Monitoring for districts is a systematic process designed to ensure adherence to federal and state regulations regarding the education of students with disabilities. This program involves regular evaluations of district practices, policies, and documentation related to Individual Education Programs services, and support systems. Through comprehensive reviews and data analysis, districts can identify areas of compliance strength and those needing improvement.

Presenters

Joni McCarty

Lead District Compliance Monitoring Officer, AK Dept of Education

Simone Sanders

Tuesday February 4, 2025 2:45pm - 3:30pm AKST
Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience

10:30am AKST

Teacher-Proofing the Classroom: Tools and Strategies for Sustainable Learning LIMITED

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

Aspen/Spruce (1st Floor)

This presentation focused on practical strategies and tools that empower teachers to create self-sustaining classrooms, where student learning continues even in the teacher's absence or with minimal direct instruction. The session introduced AI-enhanced tools, blended learning environments, and project-based learning approaches that allow students to work independently, fostering a more resilient, tech-supported, and student-driven learning experience.

Presenters

Billeen Carlson

Secondary Generalist, Nikolaevsk School

Robanne Stading

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

1.5 hrs Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Administrator, Family, Inclusion, Paraprofessionals, Rural Alaska, Technology