Special Needs

Be brave and shift the mindset—inclusion begins with recognizing all students as general education students. This book provides educators with practical tools, research, and renewed motivation to champion all learners. Organized around learning, living, and leading, it offers deeper dives into Yes We Can! practices, emphasizing how to implement them effectively.

Heather serves as the superintendent of schools in Fox Lake District 114 in the northern Illinois suburbs. Her work focuses on ensuring learning for ALL in schools.

Mandy Barrett, EdD, currently serves as an elementary school principal in northwest Arkansas. She has over 20 years of experience working in high-poverty schools and schools with large ESL populations.

When teams commit to collaborating to ensure high levels of learning for ALL students, a key critical step is to examine personal and systemic beliefs, policies, and practices to build a school and district culture where systems align. Focused on closing the gaps for students with identified needs, this session, designed for leaders of both general and special educators, provides an overview of the core concepts and associated practices to collaboratively support all learners and bring this vision to life.

Brandon Jones, an author and consultant, works with educators to implement the Professional Learning Communities at Work® and RTI at Work™ processes. As a practitioner, he has served as a high school teacher and assistant principal, as well as a principal at the elementary, middle, and secondary level.

Dr. Amy Williams brings over 25 years of experience in education, specializing in fostering inclusive practices and systems-level change to improve student outcomes.

Amy Gluck is assistant superintendent of teaching and learning in Grayslake CCSD 46 in Illinois. Her work focuses on ensuring all students achieve high levels of learning.

This is your chance to reclaim your time and energize your teaching. In this hands-on webinar, you’ll discover how Modes of Concentration affect learning and discover strategies to make the most of each classroom minute. Engage students and maintain your energy while establishing habits that improve focus. Explore practical, time-saving approaches to help every day run smoother, more efficiently, and more effectively.

Julie A. Schmidt has served as a school psychologist, Director of Student Services, Associate Superintendent of Student Services, and recently retired from Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 in Illinois after serving as Superintendent of Schools for 13 years. The district began its professional learning communities (PLC) journey nearly 25 years ago, and all seven schools have been recognized as Model PLC at Work^® schools. She is passionate about ensuring ALL students have an opportunity to thrive and reach their goals.

Paula Maeker is an educator, consultant, and advocate for learner-centered education. She has more than twenty-three years’ experience as an elementary teacher, literacy specialist, instructional coach, Title 1 program coordinator, campus administrator, director of elementary literacy, and director of instructional design.