2024 TASH Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the official website for the 2024 TASH Conference!

Each year, the TASH Conference brings together our constituents to share resources and success stories, learn about field-driven best practices, and network within a community engaged in shared values. The Conference is attended by passionate leaders, experts, and advocates from every corner of the disability community. Conference attendees are influential in their fields and communities, and play an important role in the provision of services and supports for individuals and organizations around the world; and include professors and researchers from leading institutions; those involved in local, state, and federal governments and public policy; special and general educators, and school administrators; self-advocates, adult service providers; students, family members, and many others. This year’s conference theme is Celebrate Together: Let the Good Times Roll!

Click on the "Registration and More" tab for additional information about our Conference location, registration, reserving a guest room, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, and more! The full Conference schedule is now available for viewing. Registered attendees will receive an invitation to log in and create a personalized schedule.

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9:00am CST

Quality Indicators of Inclusive School Leadership

Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 11:30am CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin G

This session will highlight the quality indicators of school and district leadership that promote and sustain inclusive schools. Participants will explore these indicators: 1) Communicate a Vision 2) Distributive Leadership among Team Members 3) Model and Plan for Collaboration/Co-Teaching 4) Use Data to Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan 5) Model and Encourage Inclusive Language and Practices An interactive process will be used to engage with each indicator using scenarios and examples from the experiences of leaders in districts and schools across the country. These scenarios will serve as the foundation for discussion, assessing readiness, and action planning toward realizing the full and meaningful inclusion of learners with disabilities in general education within their neighborhood schools. Participants will leave with an understanding of each indicator as well as a plan for implementation in their respective district and/or school.

Moderators

Carolyn Teigland

Presenters

Brittni Sammons

Professional Learning Coordinator, Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education

Brittni joined MCIE in 2023 as a Professional Learning Coordinator after over 20 years in education with Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS). She has served as a Special Educator, Assistant Principal, Inclusive Education Facilitator, and Supervisor of Instructional Performance. Throughout... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 11:30am CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Day 1 Intensive Workshops

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Education, Leadership, Systems Change, K-12 Education

9:00am CST

Inclusive Literacy Planning: Reaching All Learners Through Universal Design

Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 12:00pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin A

In this interactive presentation, Inclusion Facilitators from New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education will guide participants through a thoughtful literacy planning process using the Universal Design for Learning framework. Participants will explore effective strategies for designing literacy instruction to meet the range of diverse learners in an inclusive general education setting. Participants will learn how inclusive design will enhance their teaching as well as how it will greatly impact student learning and progress. This session is applicable to all K-12 educators.

Moderators

Sara Jutcovich

All In For Inclusive Education

Sara is an Inclusion Facilitator at NJCIE. She has ten years of classroom experience teaching in New York City. She has spent her career fostering inclusion through co-teaching. She earned her B.S. in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education from Syracuse University and then an... Read More →

Presenters

Julie Lang

All In For Inclusive Education

Julie is an Inclusion Facilitator for NJCIE. She has over 29 years of experience teaching and coaching in the NJ public school system. Her areas of expertise are teaching and co-teaching in an inclusive classroom, instructional coaching, curriculum, literacy development, and literacy... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Day 1 Intensive Workshops

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Universal Design
Key Words K-12 Education, High Expectations, Research to Practice, Universal Design

9:00am CST

Overcoming Implementation Barriers: UDL For Adults

Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 12:00pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C

According to Everett Rogers â€œDiffusion of Innovationsâ€ we know that adults will not all implement change at the same time and in the same way. Instead of feeling frustrated or defeated by this fact, this session is designed to support leaders to plan for the variability of adults through applying and explicitly modeling the Universal Design for Learning. Participants will learn, network, and plan universally designed communication plans, universally design adult learning, and ensuring adults in their systems have multiple entry points for engaging improving and increasing inclusionary practices.

Moderators

Cassie Stevens

Inclusionary Practices Coordinator / Statewide Lead, Northwest Educational Service District

Cassie Stevens has served as the Inclusionary Practices Coordinator at Northwest Educational Service District 189 since 2020. Cassie is part of a statewide team of Inclusionary Practices coordinators that support school and district leaders to implement and improve inclusionary practices... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 12:00pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Day 1 Intensive Workshops

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Capacity Building for Inclusion
Key Words K-12 Education, Capacity Building for Inclusion, Systems Change, Universally Designed Systems, Adult Learners

1:00pm CST

A Roadmap to Engaging & Accessible Inclusive Education

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C

In this session, participants will examine research surrounding inclusive practices and brainstorm how to address potential roadblocks for supporting inclusion of students with complex needs. Participants will understand how to better support all students with accessing the general education curriculum. An example of a planning process for breaking down standards into key components and engagement strategies will be explored for various subjects and grade levels. To solidify their knowledge, participants will be given a standard and student scenario, as well as the big ideas, essential vocabulary, and major skills. Participants will then work in small groups to select engagement strategies to support their studentâ€™s access and participation. Groups will share their selected engagement strategies with the whole group. Participants will create an engagement tool to be used with their students.

Moderators

Constance Alphonse

LASARD Facilitator, Louisiana UCEDD

Presenters

Ali Kowitz

Director of Education Transition and Community Initiatives, Louisiana UCEDD

Chris Champagne

Program Facilitator, Louisiana UCEDD

Lisa Davison

Louisiana UCEDD

Jennifer Boyter

Louisiana UCEDD

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Day 1 Intensive Workshops

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Accessibility Competent Equity Inclusion Opportunity

1:00pm CST

How Do We Build Equitable and Inclusive Education Systems?

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:00pm - 5:00pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin H

This workshop brings together national experts in creating a sustainable inclusive and equitable education system. This deep work requires a multi-level, multi-year focus on systemic and structural barriers that maintain current practices. While research such as implementation and improvement science offer strong structural guidance, the nuances and context of different states, districts, and schools require some individualization of approaches. Panelists will share research, best practices, and tools related to creating sustainable change while discussing differences in our approaches and options. High-level and practical insight will be shared in this highly interactive session.

This presentation brings together national leaders in the field of system change. Christine Betchel, Jessica Bowman, Meghan Cosier, Patricia McDaid, Effie McMillian, Michael McSheehan, Diane Ryndak, Kurt Schneider, and Debbie Taub have been engaged with system change work throughout their careers. While there will be prepared materials and shared content, this colloquium allows for opportunities similar to a panel discussion to showcase the range of work, areas of focus, and different approaches to change. This will be an interactive session though there are specific times for audience questions..

Introduction to the topic (30 min)
Mini-case studies by each participant related to their work (1.5 hours total)
Commentary on big-picture levers and areas of agreement (30 min)
Panelist questions and discussion related to contextual differences (1 hour)
Audience questions (20 min)

Panelists will share case studies from their work to highlight contextualized levers and barriers in planning for and implementing sustainable systemic change. Key resources will be shared with participants. The goal of this colloquium is a lively discussion filled with practical guidance, debate, and audience engagement.

Moderators

Deborah Taub

Owner/CEO, OTL Education Solutions, LLC

Presenters

Diane Ryndak

Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Jessica Bowman

Research Associate, TIES Center, University of Minnesota

inclusive education, systems change, mathematics education

Michael McSheehan

Owner/TA Provider, Evolve & Effect, LLC

Michael McSheehan’s life work has been at the intersection of disability and K-12 education. He is a systems-thinker, an implementation specialist, and a leader in the field of multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) and inclusive education. Whether it’s assisting with student-specific... Read More →

Kurt A. Schneider

Superintendent, TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804

Kurt A. Schneider, Ph.D. is in his ninth year as Superintendent of TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804, in Highland Park, Illinois. Under his direction, the educational cooperative works in partnership with 18 local school districts to meet the needs of diverse learners through... Read More →

Christine Bechtel

Supervisor of Special Education, Carroll County Public Schools

Effie McMillian

Chief Equity Officer, WSFCS

Meghan Cosier

Chapman University

Patricia McDaid

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:00pm - 5:00pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin H Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Day 1 Intensive Workshops

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Systems Change
Key Words System Change, Equity, Inclusive Education, Sustainable
Presentation Type Research

2:00pm CST

Building and Maintaining An Inclusive School Culture

Thursday December 5, 2024 2:00pm - 5:00pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin F

Inclusion is a practice that comes from the core value of wanting to include all students no matter where they are academically. Many school cultures inherently create barriers for inclusive practices - this workshop will help participants recognize these barriers, reflect on their core values, and rethink their educational goals. We will give participants the resources to change school cultures to promote and support inclusive practices. We seek to model specific tools, strategies, and activities throughout our workshop that participants can easily employ when they go back to â€œlead changeâ€ in their respective contexts and settings. Our 3 hour workshop session will be structured into different segments. Each segment will involve a collaborative activity that participants will complete with those seated around them. Ample movement, snack, and stretching breaks will also be provided throughout the session.

Moderators

Kayla Coburn

Inclusion Starts Now

Presenters

Arielle Starkman

Inclusive Education Consultant, ACS Creative LLC

Arielle is an Inclusive Education Consultant in Los Angeles, CA. Over the past 10+ years, Arielle has been immersed in all things “Special Education"…from teaching, to leadership, to navigating the IEP process from the "parent side" for her 7-year-old stepson. Her passion... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 2:00pm - 5:00pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Day 1 Intensive Workshops

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Capacity Building for Inclusion
Key Words Culture, Inclusive Practices, Barriers, Educational Values, Shifting Mindset

3:00pm CST

School-Based Occupational Therapy Facilitating Inclusive Education: A Multiple Case Study

Thursday December 5, 2024 3:00pm - 5:00pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin G

School-based occupational therapy practitioners (SBOTs) are invaluable for enabling inclusive participation for all students. However, existing literature highlights the need to shift from impairment-focused remedial approaches to inclusion-focused interventions. This presentation will discuss the findings of a qualitative multiple case study on inclusive OT practices in elementary schools for students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN). The study addresses two critical needs in education: (1) providing skilled support to make general education environments accessible and engaging for all learners, and (2) aligning SBOT practices with contemporary educational demands for students most vulnerable to segregation. The practical insights from this study will help us rise together as a collaborative team to promote authentic inclusion in the school community.

Presenters

Savitha Sundar

Texas Woman's University

Thursday December 5, 2024 3:00pm - 5:00pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Day 1 Intensive Workshops

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Related Services, Students with ESN, Multiple Case Study, Occupational Therapy, School Community
Presentation Type Research