2025 International Inclusion Institute: Full Schedule

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8:00am EDT

(In-Person) Check in for Pre-Conference Workshops and Breakfast

Tuesday May 13, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

TBA

Tuesday May 13, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
TBA

Break

Format In-Person

9:00am EDT

(In-Person) Advancing Inclusive Practices to Promote Social-Emotional and Behavioral Development

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

TBA

In this session, we will discuss how there is need for continued support for early childhood educators so that as we work to eliminate practices such as suspension and expulsion, we provide early childhood educators with a toolkit of inclusive, proactive, and preventative strategies they can use in its place to promote social emotional competence. We will also address how exclusionary discipline disproportionately impacts young children of color and young children with disabilities. We will provide strategies to facilitate the meaningful inclusion of all young children. This includes strategies on how to seek additional support for children with disabilities who may have behavior viewed as challenging.

Speakers

Megan Vinh

Senior TA Specialist, FPG

Bio

Courtney O'Grady

Assistant Professor, The University of Alabama

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

Preconference, Behaviors that challenge

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 In-Person

9:00am EDT

(In-Person) Fostering Communication and Literacy Skills for Children with Complex Support Needs in Inclusive Settings

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

TBA

Children with complex support needs require an extensive array of supports to access their environment, interact with others, participate in instruction, learn, and communicate autonomously. When these supports are not present, they have reduced access to language, communication, and literacy interactions compared to their peers with and without disabilities. This session will describe specific supports such as augmentative and alternative communication and accessible literacy lessons that address these needs and result in increased access, participation, and learning success.

Speakers

Lisa Thompson

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Allisa (Lisa) Thompson is currently a PhD student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she works as a research assistant in the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies. Prior to her doctoral studies, she served as a special education consultant, literacy consultant... Read More →

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

Preconference, Practice-focused

Age Group 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 In-Person

9:00am EDT

(In-Person) Preparing Inclusion Advocates and Leaders: Tools and Strategies for Faculty and PD Providers

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

TBA

This session will focus on ways in which to build the capacity for early childhood educators to recognize, create, implement, evaluate, and advocate for high-quality inclusive learning and development opportunities for young children. Tools and strategies that help promote emphasis on the full participation of each and every child and their family will be highlighted. Presenters will share examples of how to bring an inclusive lens to any course or professional development offering. Focused tabletop discussions will provide opportunities for participants to follow their interests and learning priorities.

Speakers

Camille Catlett

Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

Camille Catlett | Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

Kelli Odden

Professor, Mayville State University

Kelli Odden is a professor of education at Mayville State University.

Sharon Little

Higher Education Liaison, Early Years (formerly Child Care Services Association)

Sharon Little, Ed.D is Higher Education Liaison with CCSA, with thirty-eight years of experience in the field of early education and adult learning. Sharon is a former Program Lead and Community College Faculty in Early Childhood Education, a recipient of SCRIPT-NC during her program... Read More →