Early Career Special Educators Workshop
2499 Perry Crossing Way Suite 205,
Plainfield, IN 46168
Join us to learn about all of the essentials needed to successfully begin your career as a Special Educator.
Registration
To register for the conference, participants will need to have a CEC account ID. Once you click the registration link it will prompt you to log into that account or create a new account.
For 1st and 2nd Year Special Educators, there is no registration fee however you will need a discount code. If you have not received that code in another communication, please contact IN-CEC at [email protected] to obtain the code.
Fees for college students, current members, and non-members are in the chart below.
| Member | $99 |
| Non-Members | $150 |
| College Students | $50 |
For group registration, please contact member services at [email protected]
Hotel Information
A group rate is available for $144 per room per night.
Courtyard Indianapolis Plainfield
450 Marketplace Mile
Plainfield, Indiana 46168
Stated discounted rates are available for registration and hotel accommodations. All travel expenses and stipends are the responsibility of the attendee or district.
Schedule
| Time Slot | Presentation |
|---|---|
| 7:00-8:00 AM | Registration & Breakfast |
| 8:00-8:30 AM | Welcome and Introductions – Todd Hawks (President), Meghan Highfield (President-Elect), and Dr. Nancy Holsapple (Indiana Director of Special Education) |
| 8:30-10:00 AM | Keynote: David Edward Garcia David is the only 5-language speaking motivational comedian on the planet! David empathizes with diverse students who face challenges because he was once considered an “at-risk student” himself before defying the odds and graduating with a bachelor’s degree and then earning his Master’s Degree. He has motivated children and mature adults in some of the greatest metropolitan cities of the world: Los Angeles, New York, Sao Paulo, Paris, and London. His upbringing facilitated his multiculturalism/ multilingualism which make it easy to relate to diverse audiences. While his native languages are English, and Spanish, David’s has also presented in French, and Portuguese in his international tours. (He also speaks Italian, bringing his language total to five—for now.) For more information visit: TopYouthSpeakers.com |
| 10:00-10:15 AM | Break |
| 10:15-11:15 AM | Navigating Case Conferences with Students in Mind Presenter: Gail Ringwalt (IEP Technical Assistance Center)- Speaker Bio Session Description: This session will equip educators with strategies to facilitate case conferences that keep the student’s voice, goals and strengths at the center of decision-making. Participants will learn practical techniques for structuring meetings for positive collaboration and how to incorporate student voices to ensure actionable outcomes that foster student growth and success. |
| 11:15-12:00 PM | Lunch (Provided) |
| 12:00-1:00 PM | Collaboration in Special Education: High Leverage Practices for Student Success Presenter: Katie Mosley (IEP Technical Assistance Center)- Speaker Bio Session Description: Effective collaboration is at the heart of high-quality special education. This session will guide special education teachers in examining High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) 1 and 3, which focus on working with professionals to promote student success. Participants will reflect on current practices and explore research supporting the impact on student outcomes. Through discussion and practical examples, teachers will learn strategies to build collective efficacy, foster positive relationships, and share responsibility for student growth. Emphasis will be placed on overcoming common barriers and creating meaningful partnerships with colleagues. By the end of the session, participants will leave with actionable tools to enhance their collaborative practices and ensure more equitable outcomes for students with disabilities. |
| 1:00-2:00 PM | Classroom Behavior Supports: Strategies for Success Presenter: Gail Ringwalt (IEP Technical Assistance Center)- Speaker Bio Session Description: This session provides educators with practical strategies to understand, prevent, and respond to challenging behaviors in student-centered ways. Participants will learn how to identify underlying causes of behavior, implement proactive supports, and reinforce positive choices that foster a safe and respectful learning environment. Emphasis will be placed on consistency and building strong relationships that empower students to succeed both academically and socially. |
| 2:00-2:15 PM | Break |
| 2:15-3:15 PM | Making Special Education Special: Specially Designed Instruction Presenter: Katie Mosley (IEP Technical Assistance Center)- Speaker Bio Session Description: This training session will provide educators with a clear understanding of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)— a critical component of special education services. Participants will learn what SDI is, how it is defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and why it is essential for ensuring equitable access to the general education curriculum. Through discussion and real-world examples, educators will explore how SDI is tailored to address a student’s unique needs as outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). The session will highlight how SDI differs from standard practices such as differentiation, accommodations, and modifications, clarifying misconceptions that often blur these terms. It will also examine practical examples of SDI across academic, behavioral, and social domains. |
| 3:15-3:30 PM | Closing – Todd Hawks (President) and Meghan Highfield (President-Elect) |