Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera

Afternoon Keynote: Advancing Equity Through the Creation of Identity Affirming Spaces

In this session, Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera will unpack the work of cultivating an equity lens with the purpose to create educational spaces that intentionally center humanity. School environments have the potential to be spaces of wonder and joy yet can also be a source of trauma and harm when the potentialities, identities, histories, and lived experiences of students are not considered in educational systems. This session will call for educators to think about how they show up into justice-centered work. Importantly, educators will consider the collective work that is needed within organizations to advance affirming spaces that generate a sense of belonging and connection for youth as well as their caregivers. The work of advancing equitable, just schools is a commitment to actions, and we must ensure that our beliefs about children are aligned to the values we walk in every day.

Theme: Innovative Models and Practices in Schools

Heather Houston

Useful Classroom Strategies for Supporting Special Education Students

This session will outline helpful classroom strategies for teachers in both general and special education classrooms. These strategies will be specific to certain disabilities to help bridge the gap between students and teachers to minimize frustration and miscommunication that may result from the disability. Teachers should walk away with an understanding of what disabilities to look for and strategies to help best support that student. This session will include accommodations as well as modifications along with some helpful scaffolds to promote student success.

Theme: Serving Special Populations- Special Education

Dr. Charla Chailland

English Learner Students, Language Acquisition, and Equity in Indiana

In this session, I will share the findings on how Indiana students performed and what did or did not impact EL student academic performance, and thus educational equity, on two state assessments and what we as educators can do to positively impact change in the data.

Theme: Serving Special Populations- English Learners

Allison Segarra Hansen

Working Towards Linguistic Liberation

In this session, participants will reflect on their current practices and reimagine a more innovative, inclusive, culturally sustaining, and liberatory approach to language instruction.

Theme: Serving Special Populations- English Learners

Nichole Seal

Maximizing Content for Multilinguals

In this session, participants will learn how to make your content accessible for Multilingual students. Participants will practice making visuals, narrowing your focus, and have tools to implement for your next class!

Theme: Serving Special Populations- English Learners

Chrissy Franz, Kendra Randle, Eddie Rangel

The Science of Reading for All Students

It is easy to get stuck in the rhetoric of the “reading wars” but there are evidence-based practices that have existed for years to ensure our students with IEPs, multilingual learners, and general education students learn to read on time. Join the Adelante Schools team as we discuss the core tenets of structured literacy instruction and practice real-time use of instructional strategies that will strengthen your own literacy instruction immediately.

Theme: Innovative Models and Practices in Schools

Dr. Kelli Esteves

High-Leverage Practices from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform (CEEDAR)

More Information Coming Soon!

Theme: Serving Special Populations- Special Education

Stephanie Chi

Neurodiverse Students in the STEM Classroom

During this session participants will learn about ways that integrated STEM teaching and learning practices can support neurodivergent students, as well as ways that teachers can support their students in the discovery, collaboration, and rigor required in the STEM classroom.

Theme: Serving Special Populations- Special Education

Stefanie Hanes, Siah Pajibo, Lisa Rossell, Mike Marshall- Moderator

Panel Discussion: What is Working in Indianapolis Schools to Support Students in Special Education

Join this moderating panel to hear from school leaders and classroom teachers as they share insights from the classroom. Based on data, we will look at the innovative practices in schools that are having positive impacts on student achievement.

Theme: Innovative Models and Practices in Schools

Britt Burns, Tylie Mendoza-Robertson, Arturo Rodriguez, Carlota Holder- Moderator

Panel Discussion: What is Working in Indianapolis Schools to Support English Learners

Join this moderating panel to hear from school leaders and classroom teachers as they share insights from the classroom. Based on data, we will look at the innovative practices in schools that are having positive impacts on student achievement.

Theme: Innovative Models and Practices in Schools