2025 International Inclusion Institute: Full Schedule

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9:00am EDT

(Hybrid) 619 Coordinators' Meeting

Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Speakers

Ruth Gallucci serves as the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) State Early Childhood Special Education Affinity Group (ECSE AG) Liaison, as well as a Technical Assistance Consultant for the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) and... Read More →

Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA

Preconference, Systems

Age Group 3-5, PreK-3rd Grade
Audience State or National Administrators and Policymakers
Information Level Appropriate for all levels
Format Hybrid

9:00am EDT

(Hybrid) Demystifying Assistive Technology: Practical Tips for Early Childhood Professionals

Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT

TBA

This hands-on and interactive session will explore myths and facts related to the use of assistive technology (AT) in early childhood environments to help participants plan for and use AT as part of children’s everyday routines and activities. We will include specific examples of AT that attendees can explore, make/fabricate, and try out during the session, and engage in interactive activities to learn, practice, and plan for using AT to foster belonging and inclusion for children with disabilities. After the session participants will be able to:
1. Describe assistive technology and its benefits for young children.
2. Explain specific ways that they will be able to embed assistive technology into their own early childhood/early intervention work settings.
3. Leave with a set of resources and create an action plan to embed assistive technology to fully include children with disabilities across early childhood environments.

Speakers

Ann Sam

Senior Research Scientist, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

Ann Sam, PhD, is a senior research scientist, at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. Her research and professional development interests are rooted in her direct experience as a public-school teacher working in preschool and kindergarten classrooms with students with... Read More →

Jessica Amsbary

Technical Assistance Specialist, FPG Child Development Institute, UNC Chapel Hill

Dr. Jessica Amsbary is the Program Coordinator of the Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support (ECIFS) Master’s Degree in Education for Experienced Teachers program at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is also a Technical Assistance Specialist at the FPG Child Development Institute where... Read More →

Hsiu-wen Yang

Researcher, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA

Preconference, Practice-focused

Age Group 0-3, 3-5
Audience Early childhood professionals, Early childhood special education professionals, Professional development providers
Information Level Introductory
Format Hybrid

1:00pm EDT

(Hybrid) Welcome and Keynote Address

Tuesday May 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Grumman

Speakers

Jordyn Zimmerman

Jordyn Zimmerman is a passionate educator and disability advocate. After being diagnosed as autistic at a young age, she did not receive access to augmentative communication until the age of 18. She now thrives on boldly showing up and redefining what is possible in learning spaces... Read More →

Tuesday May 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Grumman

Keynote

Age Group 0-3, 3-5, PreK-3rd Grade
Format Hybrid

2:45pm EDT

(Hybrid) Implementing and Sustaining Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood Environments

Tuesday May 13, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT

TBA

Speakers

Pat Snyder

UF Distinguished Professor David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies Director, Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, University of Florida

I am a Distinguished Professor of Special Education and Early Childhood Studies, an affiliate Professor of Pediatrics, the David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies, and Director of the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies at the University... Read More →

Hsiu-wen Yang

Researcher, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Lindsay Giroux

Katherine Hutchens

Tuesday May 13, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA

Plenary, Systems

Age Group 0-3, 3-5, PreK-3rd Grade
Audience Early childhood professionals, Early childhood special education professionals, Families; Higher education faculty, Professional development providers
Information Level Appropriate for all levels
Format Hybrid

2:45pm EDT

(Hybrid) Implementing and Sustaining Promising State Level Practices

Tuesday May 13, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT

TBA

Speakers

Dr. Heather Googe

Principal Investigator, South Carolina Pyramid PIECES , SCIC, & SCPI

Dr. Googe has over 20 years of experience working in the field of early childhood special education and holds a PhD in Special Education from the University of South Carolina. She is a Research Assistant Professor at the Yvonne & Schuyler Moore Child Development Research Center at... Read More →

Ann Kremer

Project Director, Early CHOICES

Ann Kremer is the Project Director for Early CHOICES a preschool inclusion initiative of the Illinois State Board of Education. The mission of Early CHOICES is to increase high quality inclusive opportunities for young children. Ann has a masters of education in early childhood... Read More →