Helping students improve their writing skills can feel like the ultimate boss battle. In this session, we’ll break down writing into manageable moves using evidence-based practices that really work. Learn how to build strong sentences and paragraphs with The Writing Revolution, and tackle longer writing pieces with the SRSD model. We’ll also draw from The Writing Rope to connect foundational strands into a cohesive instructional game plan. Walk away with lesson templates and strategies that help students power-up their writing—no cheat codes required.
Special Education Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools
Purple MAE Cohort in Educational Leadership (UNI - 2025)Endorsement in Special Education Consulting (Morningside - 2023)MS in Education with an Emphasis in Special Education (ISU 2020)Elementary Education: ELA, Reading, and Special Education (ISU 2015)Advocate for the Science of Reading... Read More →
This professional development session, Introduction to Dyslexia, provides educators with a foundational understanding of dyslexia, including its characteristics, early signs, and impact on learning. Participants will explore evidence-based strategies for identification and classroom support. The session aims to build awareness and equip educators with practical tools to foster a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Pixel by Pixel: Building Counting Strategies One Stage at a Time (Stages 1-4)
Ready to press start on deeper numeracy understanding? Join us on a pixelated journey through the first four stages of counting development, where every skill mastered is a power-up for student success! In this interactive session, we’ll explore how counting strategies evolve—stage by stage—and how to recognize where your students are on their numeracy quest. You’ll gain practical tools, hands-on ideas, and easy-to-implement supports to help learners "level up" from one stage to the next. Whether your students are just starting to count coins (counting from one) or strategizing their moves (counting on and back), you’ll walk away with everything you need to guide them on their path to numeracy victory!
Objectives: 🟢 Understand the progression of counting strategies in Stages 1–4 🟢 Discover classroom-ready strategies to support growth at each stage
This session will focus on establishing routines and utilizing schedules for building independence with social, academic, and adaptive behavior skills. In addition, participants will learn about different types of schedules.
I am a special education teacher, now serving students, families, and staff as an autism strategist for Des Moines Schools. I look forward to learning and collaborating throughout this Summer Institute.
This in-depth training session is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement effective Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) response strategies within a school environment. Participants will explore the core concepts that shape behavior (i.e. reinforcement, extinction, and punishment), and how these principles can be applied to effectively support the student and enhance their learning experience. Educators will conclude the session with a comprehensive understanding of BIP response strategies and the ability to apply behavioral principles effectively to support student success and maintain a positive school climate. This is a repeat session from the 2024 Special Education Summer Institute.
Professional Learning Facilitator, BCBA, Des Moines Public Schools
Charla is a Professional Learning Facilitator at Des Moines Public Schools with a specialized focus on behavior. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2018, Charla has a storied career spanning nearly two decades, dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities.With... Read More →
Join us for a hands-on, research-informed session designed for educators supporting students with intellectual disabilities in math. Explore the developmental foundations of Very Special Maths, learn to apply the Numeracy Stages, and adapt Heartland AEA lesson plans for real-life, functional math learning. Participants will walk away with practical strategies to enhance engagement through sensory, emotional, and experiential approaches.
Alternate Assessment Coordinator/Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools
Adam holds a Professional Learning Facilitator position and serves as the Alternate Assessment Coordinator for Des Moines Public Schools, specializing in support of students with Intellectual Disabilities. Over the past two years, he has additionally contributed his expertise as a... Read More →
This session will focus on establishing routines and utilizing schedules for building independence with social, academic, and adaptive behavior skills. In addition, participants will learn about different types of schedules.
I am a special education teacher, now serving students, families, and staff as an autism strategist for Des Moines Schools. I look forward to learning and collaborating throughout this Summer Institute.
Level-Up Labs: Delivering Foundational Literacy Support in Supplemental SDI Settings
This session is designed for teachers of Focused Reading and Writing (middle school) and Power English or Learning Transitions (high school)—courses that provide supplemental specially designed instruction (SDI) in foundational literacy. We’ll focus on the “how” of lesson planning: designing effective, age-respectful instruction that addresses decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. You’ll explore high-leverage instructional routines, discuss how to sequence lessons based on student data, and consider how to balance skill-building with student engagement. Leave with practical tools and planning strategies to strengthen your SDI and help students make meaningful progress.
Non-speaking does not mean non-reading. This dynamic, hands-on session empowers educators with practical strategies to deliver phonics and literacy instruction to students with complex communication needs. Participants will rotate through engaging stations that model accessible tools like AAC, eye-gaze boards, and alternate pencils. You’ll learn how to build phonological awareness, support independent reading, and assess literacy without relying on oral responses. Walk away with materials, ideas, and confidence to help every learner find their voice through literacy.
Alternate Assessment Coordinator/Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools
Adam holds a Professional Learning Facilitator position and serves as the Alternate Assessment Coordinator for Des Moines Public Schools, specializing in support of students with Intellectual Disabilities. Over the past two years, he has additionally contributed his expertise as a... Read More →
🧩 Breaking Down to Build Up: Part-Whole Math Strategies for Learners in Stages 5–8 Get ready to level up your numeracy instruction! In this session, we’ll explore how part-whole thinking forms the foundation for flexible mathematical reasoning—and how to support students working within Stages 5–8 of the Numeracy Framework. You'll learn how to break numbers apart and put them back together in ways that deepen conceptual understanding and boost confidence in problem-solving. This session will equip you with practical tools and strategies to support students in building up their skills with intention and clarity.
Objectives: 🎮 Understand the role of part-whole strategies in Stages 5–8 of numeracy 💡 Gain an understanding of various strategies and reasoning strategies in stages 5-8 🚀 Walk away with strategies to help students break down problems—and build up understanding
This dynamic session is designed to boost your collaboration game by equipping you with practical strategies and essential insights for working effectively with associates. Through an engaging exploration of behavior skills training, clear role expectations, classroom management, and organizational techniques, you'll gain the tools to build a unified and empowered team. Walk away ready to energize your support staff and power up your classroom impact! This is a repeat session from 2024 titled Accelerating Associates.
To level up instruction, you need to know your players. This session dives deep into writing assessments designed for real classrooms. We’ll explore new curriculum-based measurement (CBM) tools—including picture prompts—and introduce rubrics tailored to older students and longer writing pieces. More than just scoring, you’ll use flowcharts to connect diagnostic data to instructional action. Whether you’re tracking progress or identifying learning gaps, this session ensures you’re equipped to assess with purpose and plan with precision.
Special Education Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools
Purple MAE Cohort in Educational Leadership (UNI - 2025)Endorsement in Special Education Consulting (Morningside - 2023)MS in Education with an Emphasis in Special Education (ISU 2020)Elementary Education: ELA, Reading, and Special Education (ISU 2015)Advocate for the Science of Reading... Read More →
This session is designed to empower educators with the knowledge and practical strategies needed to explicitly teach social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies and positive behavioral expectations. This offering underscores the critical link between explicit instruction in SEL and effective behavior management, highlighting how a clear and intentional approach can lead to more positive, engaging, and productive learning environments. By enhancing students' access to both academic and social learning, educators can foster holistic development.
BCBA - Behavior Strategist, Des Moines Public Schools
I am a BCBA and Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with excellent teaming, problem solving and communication skills, and am committed to providing exceptional service through collaboration, modeling, coaching and consultation to increase skills and decrease barriers for the... Read More →
Echolalia is often seen as a barrier—but for Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs), it’s a meaningful and essential part of communication. This session explores the stages of Natural Language Acquisition and provides educators and support staff with practical tools to recognize, respond to, and build on gestalt language. Participants will learn how to identify a student’s stage of language development, design affirming instruction, and support spontaneous communication through collaborative, neurodiversity-aligned practices. Discover how shifting our lens on echolalia can lead to deeper connections and greater communication success.
Alternate Assessment Coordinator/Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools
Adam holds a Professional Learning Facilitator position and serves as the Alternate Assessment Coordinator for Des Moines Public Schools, specializing in support of students with Intellectual Disabilities. Over the past two years, he has additionally contributed his expertise as a... Read More →
This session will provide time to review IEPs and complete the student planning grid for students with the support of facilitators. Time to create materials to match student needs will also be provided. *Participants must have attended at least one of the sessions listed: Physical Structures and Visual Supports, Schedules and Routines, Independent Work Systems, or Delivering Instruction and Answering the 4 Questions
In this session, we’ll explore morphology instruction and its powerful impact on students’ word recognition and language comprehension. We’ll start by defining key elements of morphology instruction, then dive into strategies for selecting high-leverage words and word parts, and implementing engaging practice activities that help students master them. You'll leave with a teachable routine for decoding unfamiliar multisyllabic words and ideas for incorporating morphology into instructional planning and data analysis.
🎯 From Start Screen to Skill Mastery: Writing Goals Using the Numeracy Project
Ready to take your goal writing to the next level? In this session, we’ll review how to write clear, targeted, and stage-aligned math goals using the Numeracy Project framework. Whether you're new to the Numeracy Project or looking to fine-tune your IEP and instructional goals, this session will equip you with the tools to write IEP goals using the Numeracy Project that are both measurable and meaningful.
Objectives: 🕹️ Understand how the Numeracy Project stages guide goal setting 🚀 Leave with tools and confidence to baseline students, determine end goals, and progress monitoring procedures using the Numeracy Project
