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 →
Ready to unlock the next level of phonics instruction? This session will equip you with the foundational tools of structured literacy, reinforcing the critical connection between word recognition, decoding, and reading comprehension. You'll explore newly designed phonics checklists and FastBridge to learn how to write meaningful IEP goals and monitor progress with confidence. Whether you’re just entering the game or already have your phonics power-ups, this session will level up your assessment toolkit and clarify the “why” behind the code.
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 →
Unlocking Literacy Stats: A Beginner’s Guide to Capti-Assess ReadBasix
New to Capti-Assess ReadBasix? This session is your beginner’s guide to unlocking the potential of this diagnostic tool. We’ll walk through the basics of navigating the ReadBasix platform, understanding the six foundational reading subtests, and interpreting student data. Then we’ll explore how to connect data insights to the design of specially designed instruction (SDI), with a focus on actionable next steps for targeting student needs. Whether you’re just getting started or need a refresher, this session will equip you with the tools to make data-informed decisions that support student growth. Note: This is for high school practitioners only.
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 →
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.
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.
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 →
Unlocking Literacy Stats: A Beginner’s Guide to Capti-Assess ReadBasix
New to Capti-Assess ReadBasix? This session is your beginner’s guide to unlocking the potential of this diagnostic tool. We’ll walk through the basics of navigating the ReadBasix platform, understanding the six foundational reading subtests, and interpreting student data. Then we’ll explore how to connect data insights to the design of specially designed instruction (SDI), with a focus on actionable next steps for targeting student needs. Whether you’re just getting started or need a refresher, this session will equip you with the tools to make data-informed decisions that support student growth. Note: This is for high school practitioners only.
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.
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 →
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 →
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.
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.
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 →
Older readers still need strong foundations—and it’s never too late to teach them. In this session, you’ll explore decoding and word recognition strategies tailored for middle and high school students. Grounded in Teaching Foundational Skills to Adolescent Readers by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey, we’ll examine what high-impact instruction looks like for students who didn’t get the skills the first time around. Expect modeled examples, ready-to-use routines, and a deeper understanding of how to make foundational literacy instruction age-respectful and results-driven.
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 →
