Special Education Summer Institute 2025: Full Schedule

July 29- July 31

8:30am CDT

The Silent Player: Unlocking Literacy Power-Ups for Non-Speaking Learners LIMITED

Tuesday July 29, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

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.

Speakers

Adam Liker-Hill

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 →

Alishea Henze

Des Moines Public Schools

Tuesday July 29, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
TBA

Literacy Intellectual Disabilities Classroom Supports

10:15am CDT

Resilience Quest: Empowering Students with Intellectual Disabilities Through Trauma-Informed Teaching LIMITED

Tuesday July 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

TBA

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.

Speakers

Adam Liker-Hill

Alternate Assessment Coordinator/Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools

Alishea Henze

Des Moines Public Schools

Tuesday July 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
TBA

Social Emotional Behavior Mental Health Intellectual Disabilities Classroom Supports

12:45pm CDT

Comprehensive Literacy Arcade: Building Skills for Students with Intellectual Disabilities LIMITED

Tuesday July 29, 2025 12:45pm - 4:00pm CDT

TBA

Dive into the dynamic world of literacy instruction by Drs. Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver by exploring their book “Comprehensive Literacy for All” along with updated information from the Comprehensive Literacy for All conference. This course will explore evidence-based practices and strategies to foster comprehensive literacy skills in diverse learners. Participants will start to explore the foundational principles of literacy development, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, while gaining practical tools for differentiation and individualized instruction.

Speakers

Adam Liker-Hill

Alternate Assessment Coordinator/Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools

Alishea Henze

Des Moines Public Schools

Tuesday July 29, 2025 12:45pm - 4:00pm CDT
TBA

Literacy Intellectual Disabilities

2:30pm CDT

Supported SLC IEP Gridwork and Planning LIMITED

Tuesday July 29, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT

TBA

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

Speakers

Emily Garcia

Autism Strategist, Des Moines Public Schools

Kristin James

Autism Strategist, Des Moines Public Schools

Tuesday July 29, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
TBA

Intellectual Disabilities Classroom Supports

10:15am CDT

Pixel Pathways: Navigating Math for Students with Intellectual Disabilities LIMITED

Wednesday July 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

TBA

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.

Speakers

Adam Liker-Hill

Alternate Assessment Coordinator/Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools

Alishea Henze

Des Moines Public Schools

Wednesday July 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
TBA

Mathematics Intellectual Disabilities Classroom Supports

12:45pm CDT

The Silent Player: Unlocking Literacy Power-Ups for Non-Speaking Learners LIMITED

Wednesday July 30, 2025 12:45pm - 2:15pm CDT

TBA

Speakers

Adam Liker-Hill

Alternate Assessment Coordinator/Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools

Alishea Henze

Des Moines Public Schools

Wednesday July 30, 2025 12:45pm - 2:15pm CDT
TBA

Literacy Intellectual Disabilities Classroom Supports

2:30pm CDT

Press Start: Understanding Echolalia Through the Lens of Gestalt Language Development LIMITED

Wednesday July 30, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT

TBA

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.

Speakers

Adam Liker-Hill

Alternate Assessment Coordinator/Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools

Alishea Henze

Des Moines Public Schools

Wednesday July 30, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
TBA

Communication Intellectual Disabilities Classroom Supports

2:30pm CDT

Supported SLC IEP Gridwork and Planning LIMITED

Wednesday July 30, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT

TBA

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

Speakers

Emily Garcia

Autism Strategist, Des Moines Public Schools

Kristin James

Autism Strategist, Des Moines Public Schools

Wednesday July 30, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
TBA

Intellectual Disabilities Classroom Supports

8:30am CDT

Press Start: Understanding Echolalia Through the Lens of Gestalt Language Development LIMITED

Thursday July 31, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

TBA

Speakers

Adam Liker-Hill

Alternate Assessment Coordinator/Professional Learning Facilitator, Des Moines Public Schools

Alishea Henze

Des Moines Public Schools

Thursday July 31, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
TBA

Communication Intellectual Disabilities Classroom Supports

8:30am CDT

Tailoring Specially Designed Instruction for Adaptive Behaviors LIMITED

Thursday July 31, 2025 8:30am - 11:45am CDT

TBA

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.

Speakers

Charla Norris

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 →

Wendy Acri

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 →

Thursday July 31, 2025 8:30am - 11:45am CDT
TBA

Social Emotional Behavior Mental Health Intellectual Disabilities Classroom Supports

12:45pm CDT

Taking it on the Road: Teaching Social Emotional Behavioral Skills Using Natural Environment Teaching. LIMITED

Thursday July 31, 2025 12:45pm - 2:15pm CDT

TBA

This session is designed to equip educators with the tools and knowledge to effectively teach social, emotional, and behavioral skills that promote generalization and real-life application of skills. Often called ‘contriving situations’, Natural Environment Teaching (NET) provides a basic strategy for accelerating student learning by providing real-life situations for students to practice and generalize prosocial and self-regulation skills.
Participants should have taken the following prerequisite sessions: Instructional Control, Explicit Instruction: Teaching with Clarity Strategies for Social Emotional Behavioral Success.
Participants must have a solid understanding of the three-term contingency (e.g., A-B-C’s of behavior), the SDI framework, and a basic understanding of reinforcement principles.

Speakers

Charla Norris

Professional Learning Facilitator, BCBA, Des Moines Public Schools

Wendy Acri

BCBA - Behavior Strategist, Des Moines Public Schools

Thursday July 31, 2025 12:45pm - 2:15pm CDT
TBA

Social Emotional Behavior Mental Health Communication Intellectual Disabilities

2:30pm CDT

Supported SLC IEP Gridwork and Planning LIMITED

Thursday July 31, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT

TBA

Speakers

Emily Garcia

Autism Strategist, Des Moines Public Schools

Kristin James

Autism Strategist, Des Moines Public Schools

Thursday July 31, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
TBA

Intellectual Disabilities Classroom Supports