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Transition Leadership 2023
Life Beyond Limits!
Join us for the 16th Annual Leadership Institute! This year we will be hosting the event in-person. The 3-day event will provide AU teams and their key partners access to content-rich learning sessions to build knowledge of effective secondary transition practices. Teams will be provided collaborative team planning opportunities to strategically plan for the implementation of effective practices that lead to successful post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.
Registration
Registration is now closed.
Hotel Information
The conference will be held at the Denver Marriott West at 1717 Denver West Marriott Blvd, Golden, CO 80401. For more details/information about the Denver Marriott West visit the hotel website.
4:00 – 6:00 PM Early Registration
4:30 – 6:00 PM Transition Action Plan In-Person Training
New Team Leads Only * Pre-registration required
Monday Session Quick Links
7:00 – 8:00 AM Registration
Breakfast is on your own/No beverages provided
8:00 – 9:30 AM Welcome & Keynote
Through The Same Door: Living MY Life My Way
Presented by Michal Fialka-Feldman
About the Presenter
Micah Fialka-Feldman is a self-advocate, Teaching Assistant, outreach coordinator, national speaker, and pioneer who fights for disability-pride, justice, and inclusion. He is part of the first wave of adults with intellectual disabilities who have attended college and has been fully included in school and community.
Micah earned a non-degree certificate in Disability Studies from the Syracuse University School of Education in 2015. Micah currently lives in Syracuse N.Y. where he co-teaches classes in inclusive education and disability studies. He is an outreach coordinator at the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University. In May of 2014, Micah was appointed by President Obama to President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. He is featured in the documentary by Dan Habib, Intelligent Lives.
In 2009, Micah won a landmark federal lawsuit, Fialka-Feldman v. Oakland University Board of Trustees, to live in the dorms at Oakland University.
9:45 – 11:00 AM Content Breakout Session 1 (concurrent sessions)
- The Power of Circles of Support: How I live 500 Miles from My Parents
Presented by Mr. Micah Fialka-Feldman, Teaching Assistant and Disability Activist & Mr. Rich Fialka-Feldman, Father of Micah - The PoWeR of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Initiatives
Presented by Michelle Romero
Michelle Romero Biography (PDF)
- Web-Based Learning for All Students
Presented by Ms. Andrea Davis, Assistant Principal
- State to Local Collaboration: Operationalizing the Sequencing of Services Framework
Presented by Mrs. Jennifer Stewart, SOS Project Manager/Contractor, Ms. Katie Oliver, CDE Interagency Transition Consultant and Ms. Cheryl Carver, Youth Unit Manager (DVR)
Biography for Jennifer Stewart, Katie Oliver and Cheryl Carver (PDF)
- Self-directed IEPs for All Students
Presented by Mrs. Tami Dorris, Transition Assistant - 3 Rocks of Transition
Presented by Ms. Shauna Moden, D/HH Specialist & Dr. Susan Elliott - Post Secondary Education: The Skills that Matter
Presented by Mrs. Shayna Laing, Community Engagement Coordinator
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Content Breakout Session 2 (concurrent sessions)
- Parent Panel: Parent Perspectives
Presented by Mrs. Michele Williers, Executive Director PEAK Parent Center, Mrs. Yvette Plummer, Executive Director of Show and Tell, and Ms. Anna Stewart, Boulder School District
Biographies for Michelle Williers, Yvette Plummer & Anna Stewart (PDF)
- Services outside of school for students with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
Presented by Mrs. Jenny Jordan, HCBS Benefits Specialist
- A Particular Set Of Skills: Executive Functioning
Presented by Ms. Jody Dickerson, Brain Injury Specialist
Jody Dickerson Biography (PDF)
- Hear from Local SOS Pilots: How Interagency Collaborations has Improved our Landscape
Presented by Mrs. Jennifer Stewart, SOS Project Manager/Contractor, Ms. Katie Oliver, CDE Interagency Transition Consultant and Ms. Cheryl Carver, Youth Unit Manager (DVR)
Biography for Jennifer Stewart, Katie Oliver and Cheryl Carver (PDF)
- Recovery
Presented by Mr. Bill Brown, Affective Needs Serious Emotional Disability Specialist
- 3 Rocks of Transition
Presented by Ms. Shauna Moden, D/HH Specialist & Dr. Susan Elliott
Biography for Shauna Moden & Dr. Susan Elliott (PDF)
- Impact of Inclusive College Pathways: Student Panel
Presented by Mrs. Shayna Laing, Community Engagement Coordinator
12:30 – 1:40 PM Lunch: On your own
1:40 – 2:15 PM General Session II
Quality Special Education Services: Two Sisters’ Perspectives
Presented by: Lily-Ann Smith, Hannah Smith and Kaitlyn Smith
About the Presenters:
The Smith Siblings consist of (from left to right) Hannah, Kaitlyn, and Lily-Ann. Hannah and Kaitlyn are 13 year old identical twins with Apraxia of Speech. Hannah enjoys athletics such as basketball and track. Kaitlyn finds comfort in being on stage whether that be singing or acting. Lily-Ann is 16 and just graduated from Estes Park High School two years early! Lily-Ann will be attending Denison University in the fall and has chosen to major in Global Commerce.
2:30 – 3:45 PM Content Breakout Session 3 (concurrent sessions)
- Effective Collaboration in the IEP Process
Presented by Mrs. Michele Williers, Executive Director PEAK Parent Center, Mrs. Yvette Plummer, Executive Director of Show and Tell, and Ms. Anna Stewart, Boulder School District
Biography for Michelle Williers, Yvette Plummer & Anna Stewart (PDF)
- Mental Health 101: Strategies for All Education Professionals
Presented by Ms. Krista Klabo, Ed.S., School Psychology Specialist
- Family Partnerships: The Foundation of successful postsecondary transition for CLD Learners
Presented by Mr. Hunter Smith, Multilingual Learners with Educational Disabilities Specialist
- Communication Goals and Services: The SLP/SLPA Role in Transition Programs
Presented by Ms. Shani O’Brien, Speech-Language Specialist
- Who gets into 18-21 Transition Services, how do you decide and when do they exit?
Presented by Ms. Tish Watson, Assistant Director of Special Education, Ms. Donna Johnson, Transition Coordinator and Mr. Bob Barrows
Biographies for Tish Watson, Donna Johnson and Bob Barrows (PDF)
- 3 Rocks of Transition
Presented by Ms. Shauna Moden, D/HH Specialist & Dr. Susan Elliott - Accommodations, Modifications, and Grading through the Transition-focused IEP
Presented by Mr. Jon Paul Burden, Special Education Director Technical Assistance Specialist
Jon Paul Burden Biography (PDF)
3:45 – 5:00 PM Work Session/Collaboration/Networking #1
Tuesday Session Quick Links
7:00 – 8:00 AM Registration
Breakfast is on your own/No beverages provided
8:00 – 9:30 AM General Session: Keynote
Universal Design for Transition
Presented by Dr. LaRon Scott
About the Presenter
LaRon A. Scott is an associate professor in the department of curriculum, instruction, & special education and associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Virginia. He studies recruitment, preparation, and retention of historically marginalized teacher educators, notably special education teachers, and postsecondary transition programming and outcomes for Black youth with IDD. He also focuses on the critical implications of implicit bias in shaping the conditions for historically marginalized educators, and how historical and contemporary local, state, and federal policy shapes the treatment of minoritized special educators.
Dr. Scott’s publication record includes nearly 60 peer-reviewed articles, 4 books, including one that is forthcoming, Universal Design for Transition: The Educators’ Guide for Equity Focused Transition Planning. He has published 20 book chapters and nearly 100 presentations. He has served as reviewer for several top journals and currently serves as an associate editor for Remedial and Special Education.
Dr. Scott worked as a mental health case manager and special education classroom teacher and transition coordinator before completing his masters and doctoral degree. He has experience with teaching and research related to personnel preparation, teacher program development, program accreditation, and program administration. His work has been funded by more than $6 million. Dr. Scott is a recipient of the Patricia L. Sitlington Research Award from the Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT), the Education Award from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), and numerous other research, teaching, and service awards. He is co-editor of Inclusion, a peer-reviewed journal that focuses on evidence-based interventions and strategies that promote the full inclusion of people with IDD.
9:45 – 11:00 AM Content Breakout Session 4 (concurrent sessions)
- Perception of Self Determination
Presented by Dr. LaRon Scott - Person-Centered Planning through “Charting the LifeCourse”: Facilitating Positive Post-School Outcomes (Part I)
Presented by Dr. Robin Brewer, Instructional Coach
- Participation of Students with Disabilities in Career Pathways for a thriving Colorado Economy
Presented by Ms. Lauren Jones, CTE Program Director for Special Populations, Counseling & Middle School, Mr. Darren Knowles, Ms. Shelley Brunjak-Goerdt, Ms. Marta Osuna and Ms. Suzanne Styduhar
- Who’s Not Engaged and Why #1: Linking Post-School Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practices and Predictors
Presented by Ms. Charlotte Alverson, Ph.D., NTACT: CTA Provider Ms. Ruth Allison, NTACT: CTA Provider and Ms. Jacque Hyatt, NTACT: CTA Provider - Transitioning to College - Tips and Tricks in Navigating Higher Education
Presented by Ms. Dana Jones, Assistant Dean of Students; Director of Disability Access Services
- Transition Requirements as Defined in IDEA
Presented by Brandon Wright, ESQ
Brandon Wright Biography (PDF)
- Begin With the End In Mind: Transition Assessment Resources Across Domains
Presented by Mrs. Kacy Little Owl, 18-21 Teacher/Transition Coordinator Ms. Abby Rowley, Transition Coordinator/Teacher El Paso District 49 and Ms. Rachel Manazares, 18-21 Teacher/Transition Coordinator Pueblo District 60 - Assistive Technology as Easy as 123: Quick and easy access for your students with disabilities
Presented by Mr. Jim Sandstrum, Research Senior Instructor
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Content Breakout Session 5 (concurrent sessions)
- Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment
Presented by Dr. Lori Y Peterson, Associate Professor
- Person-Centered Planning through “Charting the LifeCourse”: Facilitating Positive Post-School Outcomes (Part II)
Presented by Dr. Robin Brewer, Instructional Coach
- ICAP - We need your PoWeRful and Wild Career Conversation Minds!
Presented by Ms. Lauren Jones, CTE Program Director for Special Populations, Counseling & Middle School, Ms. Stephanie Mijo and Ms. Brandon Wright.
Biographies for Lauren Jones, Stephanie Mijo and Brandon Wright (PDF)
- Who’s Not Engaged and Why #2: Linking Post-School Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practices and Predictors
Presented by Ms. Charlotte Alverson, Ph.D., NTACT: CTA Provider, Ms. Ruth Allison, NTACT: CTA Provider and Ms. Jacque Hyatt, NTACT: CTA Provide - Servicing High-Needs Students in Transition Programming
Presented by Mrs. Judy Jordan, Principal and Ms. Trista Charlton, Classroom Teacher
Biographies for Judy Jordan and Trista Charlton (PDF)
- Transition Requirements as Defined in IDEA
Presented by Brandon Wright, ESQ
Brandon Wright Biography (PDF)
- CTE: WBL for Everyone
Presented by Ms. Emily Sherwood, Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Specialist and Ms. Marta Osuna
Biographies for Emily Sherwood and Marta Osuna (PDF)
- Codi's Life - A Technology Journey
Presented by Ms. Jen Mendenhall, Caregiver and Advocate and Ms. Codi Mendenhall, 11th Grade Student
Jen Mendenhall Biography (PDF)
12:30 – 1:45 PM Lunch: On your own
1:45 – 3:00 PM Content Breakout Session 6 (concurrent sessions)
- Creating Quality Secondary Transition IEPs
Presented by Dr. Lori Y Peterson, Associate Professor
- 2022 Findings from BIPOC Parent Listening Sessions
Presented by Dr. Michael Ramirez, Supervisor, Equity Projects
Michael Ramirez Biography (PDF)
- Supporting Healthy Boundaries in the Transition Years
Presented by Ms. Trude Burnett, M.A.Ed, Special Education Instructional Coach and Ms. Marie Naumann, M.A.Ed, Transition Teacher
Biographies for Trude Burnett and Marie Naumann (PDF)
- Navigating Adversity and Accessibility in the Public-School System
Presented by Ms. Mackenzie Maher, Doctoral Candidate in the Applied Development Science Program - DVR 101 Understanding the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to Improve Student Outcomes
Presented by Ms. Cheryl Carver, Youth Services and Transition Manager and Ms. Serina Gilbert, Youth Services and Transition Manager
Biography for Cheryl Carver and Serina Gilbert (PDF)
- Empowering Self-Advocacy through Student- Led IEP's
Presented by Ms. Donna Johnson, Transition Coordinator
- Let's Talk Support - A Guide to Supported Decision Making
Presented by Ms. Jennifer Levin, Director of Public Policy and Ms. Elizabeth Moran
Biography for Jennifer Levin and Elizabeth Moran (PDF)
- How to Support Learners with Significant Support Needs in an Online Environment
Presented by Mr. Kyle Carmichael, Significant Support Needs Online Teacher Ms. Codi Mendenhall, 11th Grade Student and Ms. Jen Mendenhall, Caregiver and Advocate
Biographies for Kyle Carmichael, Cody Mendenhall and Jen Mendenhall (PDF)
3:15 – 4:30 PM Work Session #2
4:30 – 5:00 PM General Session: Closing
Share Out/Giveaways
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