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

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

12:45pm AKST

Understanding FBA's and BIP's LIMITED

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

Denali (2nd Floor)

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

Special Education Teacher, Anchorage School District

I am a third year special education teacher for ASD and a UAS student.

Tuesday February 4, 2025 12:45pm - 1:30pm AKST
Denali (2nd Floor)

45 minutes Breakout

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

1:50pm AKST

Working Together: Enhancing Special Education Services Through Collaboration LIMITED

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

Denali (2nd Floor)

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
Denali (2nd Floor)

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience
Subject Autism, Behavior, Family, High Incidence, Inclusion, Low Incidence, Paraprofessionals, Related Services, Rural Alaska

2:45pm AKST

Empowering Minds: Teaching Emotional Regulation Through Brain Awareness LIMITED

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

Denali (2nd Floor)

Discover how teaching students about their brain can transform emotional regulation in the classroom. This presentation explores the science behind emotions, focusing on the roles of the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and other brain functions. Helping students understand how their brain influences their feelings and reactions empowers them to build self-awareness, resilience, and emotional control. We’ll also introduce Brain Reflection Cards as a powerful alternative to traditional check-in/check-out systems, encouraging students to reflect on their brain's role in managing emotions and providing practical strategies for self-regulation.

Presenters

Robyn Capp

University of Alaska of Southeast (UAS)

Tuesday February 4, 2025 2:45pm - 3:30pm AKST
Denali (2nd Floor)

45 minutes Breakout

Audience All Experience

10:30am AKST

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

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

Denali (2nd Floor)

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
Denali (2nd Floor)

1.5 hrs Breakout

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