Learners will be able to describe the essential components of effective transition planning, identify key state and federal requirements related to transition services, apply general strategies to support positive postsecondary outcomes for students, collaborate with school staff and community partners to enhance transition services, and access and utilize tools and resources to strengthen transition practices.
Lydia Evans is passionate about preparing students with disabilities for fulfilling adult lives and believes it’s never too early to start future planning. She has served as a Transition Counselor for Texas Workforce Vocational Rehabilitation, worked as a district-level Transition... Read More →
You are not alone! We are here to help and we promise to turn anxiety into anticipation... We will explore what it means to be Visually Impaired, how it is tested for, the range of impairments. teaching methodologies, classroom needs, and much more. Heck, you may even have found a new calling! We'll cover that, too. | Session is open to all but, especially staff dealing with incoming 6th graders
Grief can deeply affect students, staff, and the overall climate of a school. In this session, Beverly Ross from Wise County Christian Counseling will offer insight into how grief presents in school settings and provide practical, compassionate strategies for supporting both colleagues and students through loss.
Grief can deeply affect students, staff, and the overall climate of a school. In this session, Beverly Ross from Wise County Christian Counseling will offer insight into how grief presents in school settings and provide practical, compassionate strategies for supporting both colleagues and students through loss.
This presentation provides an overview of effective classroom accommodations that support students with autism in general education settings. It focuses on practical strategies that promote access to learning, improve communication, and reduce barriers related to sensory, social, and executive functioning differences. Emphasis is placed on creating structured, predictable environments, using visual supports, and implementing flexible instructional methods that meet diverse needs. By understanding and applying these accommodations, educators can foster inclusion, increase student engagement, and support academic and social success for students with autism.
This session will provide practical, classroom-tested strategies to help educators stay organized while effectively supporting students with special education accommodations. Participants will explore simple systems for tracking and implementing accommodations with consistency, while also strengthening meaningful parent communication through clear, proactive approaches. In addition, this session will highlight how structured “brain breaks” can be intentionally used to support student focus, reduce disruptions, and maintain positive behavior without losing instructional momentum. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use tools, ideas, and routines that can be implemented immediately to create a more organized, responsive, and student-centered classroom environment.
Do you have a great idea that could transform learning in your classroom or benefit students across your campus? The Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) is here to help bring those ideas to life! In this session, DEF will walk you through the grant application process, share examples of successful past projects, and highlight how you can apply for funding during the 2026-2027 school year.
Do you have a great idea that could transform learning in your classroom or benefit students across your campus? The Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) is here to help bring those ideas to life! In this session, DEF will walk you through the grant application process, share examples of successful past projects, and highlight how you can apply for funding during the 2026-2027 school year.
How do we make sure our students get the very best experiences in real life learning - practicum courses, work-based learning, on-site internships, and career prep classes? What are the state guidelines for each of these types of learning? How do we create a thorough, beneficial training plan for each student that meets state requirements? What are the expectations for teacher site visits? This session is designed specifically for Career and Technical Education teachers.
This collaborative session brings CTE educators together across grade levels and program areas to strengthen alignment, improve instructional continuity, and support student success. You get to engage in vertical team planning focused on curriculum alignment, essential skills, industry readiness, student transitions, and pathway coherence from introductory to advanced coursework. Teams will identify opportunities for collaboration, address gaps and repetition in content, and develop actionable next steps to enhance CTE programs and student outcomes.
Turn your classroom into an experience, not just a space. This session explores how cross-curricular room transformations bring content to life—blending subjects into immersive, hands-on learning that captures attention, deepens understanding, and makes lessons unforgettable. Walk away with practical ideas to design engaging environments where every student is actively part of the learning.
