Recognizing that supporting students with complex learning profiles requires training and professional support for teachers and administrators, MDSC holds an Annual Educators Forum for Supporting Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The conference is designed to provide general and special educators, administrators, paraprofessionals, support professionals, and parents with practical workshops that will support them as they work hard each day to meet the educational needs of students.
This full-day conference is held at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and is attended by over 200 general and special educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, support professionals, and family members from across New England. (Educators in attendance earn 6 hours of professional development).
2025 Breakout Sessions included:
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Across All Environments: Empowering Communicators Everywhere
- Bridging the Gaps: Navigating the Transitions from Early Intervention, to Preschool, and Kindergarten
- Creating Schools and Classrooms where Everyone Belongs
- Designing Successful Transitions into General Education Classrooms for Students with Intellectual and other Developmental Challenges
- From Text Maps to Memory Caps: Creating On-The-Spot Supports in Inclusive Classrooms
- Leveraging AI to Develop Instructional Activities for Students with Down Syndrome
- Understanding Behavior to Promote Positive Outcomes
- We’re on the Same Team: Building Collaboration and Family Engagement to Support Students with Disabilities
- Specially Designed Instruction and IEP Modifications: Practical Strategies for Supporting Students
MDSC Outstanding Educator Award
Each year MDSC honors individuals or organizations who have celebrated the rich accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. The MDSC Outstanding Educator Award is presented to an educator in Massachusetts who has significantly contributed to ensuring that students with Down syndrome are given every opportunity to maximize their full potential. When nominations are open in advance of the Ed Forum, we invite members of our community or general public to submit their nomination for an educator deserving of the Outstanding Educator Award. Learn more about all our awards on our Awards page. If you have any questions, please email awards@mdsc.org.
2025 Breakout Sessions:
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Across All Environments: Empowering Communicators Everywhere
- Bridging the Gaps: Navigating the Transitions from Early Intervention, to Preschool, and Kindergarten
- Creating Schools and Classrooms where Everyone Belongs
- Designing Successful Transitions into General Education Classrooms for Students with Intellectual and other Developmental Challenges
- From Text Maps to Memory Caps: Creating On-The-Spot Supports in Inclusive Classrooms
- Leveraging AI to Develop Instructional Activities for Students with Down Syndrome
- Understanding Behavior to Promote Positive Outcomes
- We’re on the Same Team: Building Collaboration and Family Engagement to Support Students with Disabilities
- Specially Designed Instruction and IEP Modifications: Practical Strategies for Supporting Students
Professional Development:
- Educators in attendance will earn 6 PDPs!
MDSC Outstanding Educator Award
Each year MDSC honors individuals or organizations who have celebrated the rich accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. The MDSC Outstanding Educator Award is presented to an educator in Massachusetts who has significantly contributed to ensuring that students with Down syndrome are given every opportunity to maximize their full potential. When nominations are open in advance of the Ed Forum, we invite members of our community or general public to submit their nomination for an educator deserving of the Outstanding Educator Award.
Learn more about all our awards on our Awards page. If you have any questions, please email awards@mdsc.org.
