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 →
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.
Join us for an engaging and meaningful quest into the world of trauma-informed teaching, designed specifically for educators working with students who have intellectual disabilities. In this interactive session, we’ll uncover how trauma impacts learning and behavior, especially for students who may communicate and experience the world differently. You'll gain practical, compassionate strategies to co-regulate, build trust, and support healing—while also taking care of yourself in the process.
While this session focuses on students with Intellectual Disabilities, the content can be adapted to support any student who has experienced trauma
Trigger Warning: There will be mention of trauma and abuse in this session.
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 →
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 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.
This dynamic training session is crafted for educators who are committed to proactively addressing student behaviors before they escalate at an individual student level and classroom structure level. Participants will delve into effectively implementing functionally aligned prevention strategies. The session will cover the essentials of identifying early warning signs and creating supportive environments to implement effective Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) that prevent negative behaviors in school settings. Participants will leave equipped with practical tools and strategies, ready to foster a positive educational environment that proactively addresses students' behavioral needs according to their individualized BIP.
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 →
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 →
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
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.
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 →
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.
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
Participants will learn about the design and application of independent work systems, so they are able to develop work systems tailored to student strengths and needs, use visual supports and routines effectively, foster self-management and task completion skills, and integrate structured teaching into inclusive and specialized settings.
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 training session is crafted to guide educators through the process of designing and implementing specialized interventions aimed at teaching adaptive behavior skills to students. Over three hours, participants will learn strategies to help students develop the necessary skills for daily living, social interaction, and effective communication within the school environment. The session will focus on practical approaches to foster independence and improve the quality of life for students with diverse learning needs. Educators will leave the session equipped with the knowledge and tools to support students in acquiring adaptive behavior skills, paving the way for their success both in and out of the classroom. 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 →
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 →
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
