Educators Forum Returns to In Person
Tuesday, November 14
College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
The MDSC is excited to announce our Annual Educators Forum is coming back in-person on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023 at The College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester MA. We hope you will join us for a full-day of professional development with education specific workshops highlighting important information and resources to best support students with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities at school.
Registration is now open!
MDSC recognizes that supporting students with complex learning profiles requires training and professional support for teachers and administrators.
Each year, MDSC holds its 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 has historically taken place at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and is typically attended by over 300 general and special educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, support professionals, and family members from across New England. Educators in attendance will earn 6 hours of professional development!
During the height of the pandemic, we reimagined our Educators Forum as a webinar series focused on issues relevant to the Covid pandemic, but are thrilled ot bring it back in person in 2023!
Breakout Session Topics:
- Best Practices: Transition Planning
Presented by Jessica Kuss, M.Ed. - Beyond Translation: Collaborating with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families
Presented by Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Special Education, Boston University and Oanh Bui, MHA , MA - Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS): Moving from Power and Control to Collaboration and Problem Solving
Presented by Maile Munson, LICSW, Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Trainer, Lives in the Balance - Educator Wellness and its Impact on Student Well Being
Presented by Brie Walker, Breathe For Change Lead Trainer - If Writing Instruction Tastes Like Broccoli, Don’t Expect Kids to Consume Much
Presented by David Koppenhaver, Professor Emeritus, Reading Education/Special Education, Appalachian State University - MAICEI and Inclusive Higher Education Opportunities in Massachusetts: Everything you need to know!
Presented by Mary Price, MAICEI State Director - Making Neuropsychological Assessment Work for You
Presented by Joseph Moldover, PsyD, ABPP - The (Arts and) Science(s) of Reading for Individuals with Down Syndrome and other Disabilities
Presented by David Koppenhaver, Professor Emeritus, Reading Education/Special Education, Appalachian State University - Updates from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Implementation of the New Massachusetts IEP
Presented by Russell Johnston, PhD, Deputy Commissioner and State Director of Special Education, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - Supporting Speech and Language Development in Children with Down Syndrome Using Multiple Modalities
Presented by Abbie King MS CCC-SLP/ATP, Boston Childrens Hospital, Augmentative Communication Program
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.
This year, the award for the Outstanding Educator will be presented during the luncheon at the MDSC Educators Forum on Tuesday, November 14 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.
We invite members of our community or the general public to nominate an educator whom you believe to be deserving of the MDSC Outstanding Educator Award.
