GET TO KNOW THIS YEAR'S PRESENTERS!

Jennifer Avery is the Coordinator of Wellness & Coach Advancement for Special Olympics Arkansas. Her primary role involves overseeing all athlete focused health promotion event funding and activities including health screenings and education for the 19,500 athletes served across the state, management of public health interns, and inclusive health trainings. She also co-leads the Athlete Leadership Program that trains athletes to be leaders in their communities and health advocates for themselves and their peers. Additionally, she helps manage the Young Athletes program for children with and without intellectual disabilities ages 2-7 years.

Jumpstarting your Inclusion Classroom

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools uses Inclusive Activities, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole School Engagement Activities to change school climates to be more inclusive. This training will provide you with recourses and lesson plans and ways to receive funding by intentionally creating an inclusive environment. We will help show you strategic implementation methods that have been proven over time to be effective.

I have been retired from education for 6 years. I began working with SmartData right after and I am now the National Director. We work hand in hand with districts with all aspects of a students educational process. With SmartData you can see your disproportionally, discrimination and any of your special education indicators in real time. We look forward to showing you everything you can see with SmartData.

How To Find Your Data in Seconds

Data Evaluation and Activation

Bonnie Boaz graduated from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock with a Master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility for the Blind and Visually Impaired.  She first worked with individuals with visual impairments and helped them gain the independence and mobility needed to reach their goals and become successful. In 2001 she began working as a Transition Consultant, and in 2007 she became the Coordinator for Arkansas Transition Services. ATS consultants provide training and technical assistance to educators, agencies, families, and students to improve transition practices and ultimately, outcomes for students with disabilities in Arkansas. She directly serves special education teachers and other relevant staff within the public-school districts of Pulaski County, coordinates the services and events provided through Arkansas Transition Services, and helps with interagency collaborative efforts to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. She was the recipient of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Career Development and Transition’s, Donn Brolin Award for State/Province Leadership and Services in 2010 and the DCDT Marc Gold Innovative Practices in Transition Award in 2017.

Special Education Updates from the Office of Special Education

Here about trends and updates around the implementation of Special Education at the local level from the Office of Special Education. Learn about proposed changes to rules and regulations, fiscal updates and legal trends.

Tara Bush has an extensive background working with special needs children with behavior issues and maintaining documents for due process procedures, initial evaluations, and re-evaluations. Tara has been instrumental in organizing information and increasing accountability while she collaborates with teachers, administrators, parents, and students to create an effective work environment. She is the newest member of the SEAS Education family and dedicated to improving our systems and processes in innovative ways. Tara is a true advocate for school districts, employees and students and has most recently focused on training and support of our SEAS Education Plan Management platforms (SEAS Classic, Achieve 2.0 and Attain 3.0).

Training Session: Attain 3.0 Staff

Tara will provide the product training session focused on Staff and General Users operating our 3.0 technology solution, Attain.

Meet the SEAS Team

Have you personally met your SEAS Account Manager?  Do you have a burning question you’d like to ask one-on-one with a SEAS expert?  Join the SEAS Arkansas Account Management team for an informal meet & greet!  Get your questions answered by our experts in the field and interact with your SEAS Account Manager!

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Kelly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has over 20 years of experience in the field of behavior support. She started out her early career working with adults with serious mental illness in residential care before transitioning into early childhood education. She has served roles in early childhood as an early childhood developmental specialist, clinical director, behavior interventionist, and in autism program development. She is passionate about helping schools develop systems to support students and teachers through the use of positive behavior supports. Her areas of expertise are in applied behavior analysis, pivotal response treatment, discrete trial training, and positive behavior supports.

Multi-Tiered Behavior Support Resources

In this session, participants will overview multi-tiered systems of support for behavior as well as learn about available resources related to behavior in Arkansas

Jennifer has been involved in Special Olympics Arkansas for 29 years. She started as a student volunteer in her school, she has coached at local competitions, state competitions, national competitions and international competitions. she is a parent of a Special Olympics Athlete. She has worked for Special Olympics Arkansas for 10 years and promoted inclusion through Unified Champion School through out the state.

Jumpstarting Your Inclusion Classroom

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools uses Inclusive Activities, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole School Engagement Activities to change school climates to be more inclusive. This training will provide you with recourses and lesson plans and ways to receive funding by intentionally creating an inclusive environment. We will help show you strategic implementation methods that have been proven over time to be effective.

Andrea Fortner is an Arkansas A.W.A.R.E. (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) Regional Trainer who has 25 years of experience in education from teaching in an elementary classroom, counseling at a high school, and coordinating programs at the state level. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Henderson State University in 1999 and while teaching became National Board Certified. Following her heart she became a high school counselor, earning a Masters in Professional School Counseling from Harding University. For the last three years she has served as Coordinator for School Counseling at the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. Andrea is dedicated to helping Arkansas educators and families support their students.

De-Escalation

In this one hour preview of our 6 hour workshop, we will focus on the process of escalation and de-escalation. What is important for us to know in the moment? Let’s clarify our goals and put a few tools in our belts.

Erbey Gomez is a long-time team member with SEAS Education and has many years experience in Education Technology. Having served many positions within the company, Erbey utilizes his DDI (Development Dimensions International) Certified skills in leadership and communication to advocate on behalf of Arkansas school districts and SEAS Education. Erbey excels at listening and earning the trust of his colleagues and customers. His years in restaurant management, hospital education, marketing, and customer service have allowed Erbey to hyper-focus on the current needs of customers and anticipate future needs before they arise. Erbey is equipped to train the entire product suite SEAS Education has to offer, including CLASS Assessment and Medicaid Services/DSCtop.

Training Session: Attain 3.0 Admin

Erbey will provide the product training session focused on Administrators operating our 3.0 technology solution, Attain.

SEAS CLASS Product Training

Join SEAS Education for a CLASS training course. This course will assist school district staff to work independently and confidently with the CLASS assessment tool. Teachers and staff will learn how CLASS assists in determining the instructional gaps of learner by showing how to use it to write effective PLAAFPs, goals, & objectives.

Meet the SEAS Team

Have you personally met your SEAS Account Manager?  Do you have a burning question you’d like to ask one-on-one with a SEAS expert?  Join the SEAS Arkansas Account Management team for an informal meet & greet!  Get your questions answered by our experts in the field and interact with your SEAS Account Manager!

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Josh Hart works to make federal requirements and obligations around the use of IDEA funds more efficient while improving outcomes for students with disabilities. With over 10 years of experience at the local education agency level as a School Psychology Specialist and Special Education Supervisor, Josh has experience in assessing how to use Special Education funds to improve programming. Josh believes that utilizing Special Education funds to improve access for students with disabilities to the general education environment and instruction with their non-disabled peers will improve outcomes for all students once they leave public education.

Special Education Updates from the Office of Special Education

Here about trends and updates around the implementation of Special Education at the local level from the Office of Special Education. Learn about proposed changes to rules and regulations, fiscal updates and legal trends.

Irvin Humphrey has volunteered with Special Olympics for nearly 15 years, serving 10 of those years as the Director of Sports, Training and Competition for Special Olympics Arkansas. He has a heart for the Athletes of Special Olympics and for Sports! He strives to bring quality training and competition to the athletes daily as well as pushing for inclusion for all.

Jumpstarting Your Inclusion Classroom

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools uses Inclusive Activities, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole School Engagement Activities to change school climates to be more inclusive. This training will provide you with recourses and lesson plans and ways to receive funding by intentionally creating an inclusive environment. We will help show you strategic implementation methods that have been proven over time to be effective.

Audrey Kengla has served as an Arkansas K-12 Behavior Support Specialist since 2021. Prior to her position as a BSS, Audrey has served as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Autism Specialist, and Special Education Designee over the course of her 20 year career in education. Audrey holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders, a Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders, and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology with the goal of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2025. Audrey resides in Charleston, Arkansas with her husband, two children, one really fat, lazy cat, and two golden retrievers, Honey and Gus.

Multi-Tiered Behavior Support Resources.

In this session, participants will overview multi-tiered systems of support for behavior as well as learn about available resources related to behavior in Arkansas.

Mercedes Monarch is a newer member of the SEAS family, celebrating her one-year anniversary this year! She has a very strong background in customer service and her positive attitude is contagious! Mercedes recently moved into the implementation services role where she has already collaborated with her peers to improve internal processes. Mercedes previously provided specialized one-on-one assistance to Special Education students as a paraprofessional for the largest school district in Arizona, Mesa Public Schools. Mercedes experience as a paraprofessional has been instrumental in her ability to provide superior customer service to our SEAS Education customers.

Meet the SEAS Team

Have you personally met your SEAS Account Manager?  Do you have a burning question you’d like to ask one-on-one with a SEAS expert?  Join the SEAS Arkansas Account Management team for an informal meet & greet!  Get your questions answered by our experts in the field and interact with your SEAS Account Manager!

Kimberly Parks joined APSRC as the Director of Special Services in July 2022. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Central Arkansas in 2010, where she was certified in Early Childhood Education (P-4), Special Education (P-12), and English as a Second Language (P-12). In 2018 she graduated with her Master of Science in Educational Reading from Arkansas State University. In 2021, she completed her Educational Specialist in Leadership for Building Level Administration and Special Education Director. Kimberly spent her first semester teaching in a Learning Alternate Behavior classroom at Cabot Middle School South, followed by seven years at Greenbrier High School where she taught a reading program along with co-teaching English, Math, and Science. At Greenbrier, she sat as the co-chair for the special education department, monitored files for the district, and helped with data tracking for several programs. Before joining APSRC, Kimberly was at Conway High School where she taught both 1:15 and co-taught classes in English and Social Studies along with some Transition and Behavior classes. In the summer of 2021, she worked as an Educational Consultant and Literacy Specialist for AETN. She helped create educational packets and other tasks during the first season of “Rise and Shine” Arkansas. Kimberly lives outside of Conway with her three boys. She has experienced life as both a teacher of Special Education and the parent of a student in Special Education, so she understands more than one standpoint. Kimberly’s passion for working with all children of different abilities and ensuring they are getting the education that is the best fit for them is what drives her in her educational career.

Inclusion Matters

Join Kimberly to learn the importance of building a Culture of Inclusion in your district along with some inclusive practices that are easily implemented to ensure that students with different abilities are getting the most out of Core Plus More.

FERPA and IDEA: What Schools Need to Know to Stay Confidential

Join us for a short presentation on FERPA and its impact on due process and IDEA. Discussion time will be available at the end of the presentation with Kimberly and Tripp, so bring all FERPA and IDEA questions you have.

Lisa Pelotte is the Director of Medicaid Services for SEAS Education. Lisa has been in the SEAS Medicaid National Claims Administration Center in Franconia, NH since 2002. As the Director of Medicaid, Lisa is responsible for the school-based Medicaid billing operations for all states. Her main goal is to assist school districts in understanding their state Medicaid program and to provide the tools, best practices, and methods to ensure district compliance while maximizing reimbursements. Lisa works closely with districts to improve all operations that relate to the school-based Medicaid program. In her position, she supervises and coordinates these tasks on a national level: database administration, Medicaid eligibility determination, claims entry, internal audits, denial/rejection research, remittance reconciliation, state processing relationships, district audit preparations and all employee training programs.

SEAS Medicaid: DSCtop Product Training

Join SEAS Medicaid for a DSCtop training course. This will help school district staff to work independently and confidently with the DSCtop software system. During the training, participants will perform several real-world activities after reviewing instruction by the trainer. These activities will test their comprehension as well as provide confidence in performing the tasks they will be expected to complete.

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Jennifer Robinson has 31 years of experience providing consulting services to school districts in numerous states regarding school finance, Special Education and Medicaid. She has designed, managed and implemented numerous software systems in hundreds of school districts. Jennifer also has experience working in the financial services department for the largest school district in Arizona; Mesa Unified School District. She has successfully advocated at state and federal levels for changes to state reporting and Medicaid rules for various states, including Arizona. She is currently the VP of Client Success for SEAS Education and her primary focus is the successful implementation of new customers, continuing support of existing customers and retention of customers.

SEAS Medicaid: DSCtop Product Training

Join SEAS Medicaid for a DSCtop training course. This will help school district staff to work independently and confidently with the DSCtop software system. During the training, participants will perform several real-world activities after reviewing instruction by the trainer. These activities will test their comprehension as well as provide confidence in performing the tasks they will be expected to complete.

Kris Shinn is the President and CEO of Willing Ways. Kris worked several years in the business field after graduating from Ouachita University, and more than a decade ago, he began working with students, teachers, and parents. This journey into helping students really began 22 years ago with the birth of his beloved son Will who has Autism. He loves to share the strategies that he began learning while working with his son and now helps others to apply those strategies in situations both in homes and in schools. As Kris found ways that helped Will, he discovered strategies that would help others. Kris is the author of two books, with a third set for release later this year. Two programs that Kris is certified to teach that have been very helpful are Everyday Behavior Tools and Professional Crisis Management. Kris is also available for consulting, professional development, and public speaking

Where There is a Will, There is a Way

Kris has over 13 years experience working with teachers and students, as well as over 20 years of parenting experience as a father to Will, an adult with autism. He has written three books to date about the highs and lows of his journey. In this session, you will hear some real life stories, as well as gain an understanding of how to actually help the students that you work with, whether they are in special education or in the general education setting. Kris is very engaging and is full of real life examples. Participants in Kris’ sessions may be laughing one second and in tears the next, but one thing is for sure, you will leave better than you came in. Be ready to be better in the walk of life after this session!

Tripp Walter currently serves as a Staff Attorney for the Arkansas Public School Resource Center, where he has worked since May 2010. Prior to holding this position, Mr. Walter worked for the Arkansas Department of Education for over six years as a Staff Attorney and Interim General Counsel. Before moving to Arkansas, he worked as a university attorney, municipal attorney, and municipal judge in Texas for 18 years. He holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Houston and a J.D. from Texas Tech University. He is licensed to practice law in Arkansas and Texas.

FERPA and IDEA: What Schools Need to Know to Stay Confidential

Join us for a short presentation on FERPA and its impact on due process and IDEA. Discussion time will be available at the end of the presentation with Kimberly and Tripp, so bring all FERPA and IDEA questions you have.

Debbie Zeringue currently serves as a Business Development/Customer Success Executive for SEAS Education. Before that role, she was in the Bentonville Schools as a Special Education Coordinator; DESE/Sped Unit Public School Program Advisor and Compliance Specialist; and a classroom teacher for 24 years. As a member of the Monitoring/Program Effectiveness section of the ADE Special Education Unit, she monitored AR Public/Charter Schools for compliance with state and federal regulations governing special education programs and then provided regulatory technical assistance for Districts based on that review. Debbie also served as the State Compliance Specialist for Dispute Resolution within the Special Education Unit. She was a liaison to school districts, parents, and other agencies to resolve disputes informally as well as formally. She also monitored compliance with hearing decisions and corrective actions as a result of complaint investigations. Her experience is in a variety of educational settings including general education, special education, and a residential treatment facility with teaching licenses in Arkansas and Texas. She has program experience in the full continuum of special education services that range from the least restrictive to the most restrictive settings.

Training Session: Achieve 2.0 Admin & Staff

Debbie will provide the product training session focused on Admin and General Staff Users operating our 2.0 technology solution, Achieve.

Meet the SEAS Team

Have you personally met your SEAS Account Manager? Do you have a burning question you’d like to ask one-on-one with a SEAS expert? Join the SEAS Arkansas Account Management team for an informal meet & greet! Get your questions answered by our experts in the field and interact with your SEAS Account Manager!

Jennifer Nicholas is currently a Special Services Designee and Behavior Specialist for Fayetteville Public Schools. Formerly, she taught special education at varying ends of the continuum including Resource and Structured Learning. As a Structured Learning Services teacher, Jennifer led a team of 4-5 paraprofessionals each year to provide meaningful instruction and support for students with varying levels of need. Jennifer is passionate about research based behavior intervention and inclusion with non-disabled peers.

Paraprofessionals: How to help them SEE the big picture and understand their importance

This session will focus on ways to utilize, empower, and educate paraprofessionals. The presenters will share ways to help para educators SEE their vital role in shaping the lives of the most vulnerable population by providing them access to the most neurotypical experiences. Resources will be shared for setting expectations, zone planning, student engagement and behavioral support.

Hadley Williams is currently a Special Education Designee at Ramay Junior High in Fayetteville Arkansas. Her tenure of over 20 years speaks volumes about her dedication and commitment to ensuring inclusivity and support for students with disabilities. Her experience working with paraprofessionals in both coworker and supervising capacities suggests that she understands the importance of collaboration and mentorship in creating effective learning environments. Her work across various age groups and educational settings, from the most to least restrictive, indicates a comprehensive understanding of the diverse needs of students with disabilities and the ability to adapt instructional strategies accordingly. Additionally, her hands-on approach to educating both students and teachers about different types of disabilities underscores her commitment to fostering empathy, understanding, and inclusivity within the educational community.

Paraprofessionals: How to help them SEE the big picture and understand their importance

This session will focus on ways to utilize, empower, and educate paraprofessionals. The presenters will share ways to help para educators SEE their vital role in shaping the lives of the most vulnerable population by providing them access to the most neurotypical experiences. Resources will be shared for setting expectations, zone planning, student engagement and behavioral support.

Jennifer Nicholas is currently a Special Services Designee and Behavior Specialist for Fayetteville Public Schools. Formerly, she taught special education at varying ends of the continuum including Resource and Structured Learning. As a Structured Learning Services teacher, Jennifer led a team of 4-5 paraprofessionals each year to provide meaningful instruction and support for students with varying levels of need. Jennifer is passionate about research based behavior intervention and inclusion with non-disabled peers.

Paraprofessionals: How to help them SEE the big picture and understand their importance

This session will focus on ways to utilize, empower, and educate paraprofessionals. The presenters will share ways to help para educators SEE their vital role in shaping the lives of the most vulnerable population by providing them access to the most neurotypical experiences. Resources will be shared for setting expectations, zone planning, student engagement and behavioral support.

Dr. Jeremy Stinson joined the Cognia team on March 1, 2024 after having served in education for 24 years, most recently as Superintendent of Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Jackson, where he led his staff through successful Cognia accreditation. As superintendent, Dr. Stinson led two very distinct special needs schools with departmental oversight in special services, finance, operations, building and grounds, transportation, technology, residential, athletics, and outreach. He also has experience as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, administrative and teacher mentor, assistant superintendent, state director, student teacher advisor, and adjunct professor. He and his wife Sharon have been married for 25 years and have one son, Carter, who is a freshman welding major at Hinds Community College.

Leveraging a Continuous Improvement Model for Future Student Success

Knowledge isn’t one-dimensional or one-size-fits-all; it’s dynamic and nuanced. This session will help you chart a path to understanding these subtleties through almost 130 years of extensive partnerships with more than 40,000 schools in more than 90 countries across the globe, offering a range of services that evaluate education through a lens of continuous improvement: from its impact on the individual, to the effectiveness of the institution, to a broad view of the large system. Seeing all sides of the story means you can really understand your full landscape—and what it will take to drive improvement.

Ms. Harding provides consultant services in the areas of special education and speech-language pathology. She has over four decades of professional experience in these fields of expertise, including in PK-12 education settings and education service agencies, institutions of higher education, private facilities, state government agencies, and mental/behavioral health settings. During her career, she served as Chief of Speech and Hearing Services in a behavioral health setting and as the Director of Special Education for the Arkansas Department of Education. She currently consults with Arkansas school districts and their attorneys on issues relevant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Current work often incudes serving as an Expert Witness in IDEA Due Process Hearings and providing assistance to districts engaged in Complaint Investigations or Due Process hearings.

Trending Case Law Impacting Special Education in Arkansas

This session will address court decisions affecting Arkansas school districts with regard to IDEA and Sectioin 504 practices. Time allowing, additional information will be shared regarding Arkansas Department of Education due process hearing outcomes in 2023-2024.

I am a 2003 graduate of St. Joseph High School in Conway and obtained my Bachelors and Masters degree from the University of Central Arkansas. Prior to becoming the Principal of Maumelle Charter High School in 2021, I served one year as Assistant Principal, six years as a Secondary English Teacher and two years as High School Counselor for Maumelle Charter High School. When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Tommy, and three kids, Ella Kate, Landry, and John Thomas. My purpose in education is to help students realize their potential and inspire growth and change to make our world a better place for the next generation.

Student Ownership of Learning: Creating a Culture of Empowerment and Inclusion

In this session, participants will gain an insight as to how to effectively inspire inclusion and create a school culture that advocates for high expectations and participation for ALL students. Participants will leave with a toolkit of resources to create a culture of learning and achievement while also helping students set individual goals within the classroom that resonates in a celebratory environment where all students know their value and feel motivated to achieve high expectations.

JD Hardin is the Regional Advocacy Director for Cognia and part of the non-profit organization’s government relations team. A native Arkansan and graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, Hardin has worked in Arkansas on various political campaigns before moving to Georgia and leading all communications efforts for one of the state’s largest school districts for more than a decade. In his current role, Hardin works across seven states in the southeastern United States to help advance Cognia’s priorities by working with education advocacy groups, state education agencies, local education agencies, and elected officials.

Leveraging a Continuous Improvement Model for Future Student Success

Knowledge isn’t one-dimensional or one-size-fits-all; it’s dynamic and nuanced. This session will help you chart a path to understanding these subtleties through almost 130 years of extensive partnerships with more than 40,000 schools in more than 90 countries across the globe, offering a range of services that evaluate education through a lens of continuous improvement: from its impact on the individual, to the effectiveness of the institution, to a broad view of the large system. Seeing all sides of the story means you can really understand your full landscape—and what it will take to drive improvement.

Student Ownership of Learning: Creating a Culture of Empowerment and Inclusion

In this session, participants will gain an insight as to how to effectively inspire inclusion and create a school culture that advocates for high expectations and participation for ALL students. Participants will leave with a toolkit of resources to create a culture of learning and achievement while also helping students set individual goals within the classroom that resonates in a celebratory environment where all students know their value and feel motivated to achieve high expectations.