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President’s MessageWelcome to CARS+, the California Association of Resource Special-ists and Special Education Teachers!

It’s hard to believe that this is the 35th annual convention of CARS+. Through all those years, perhaps for the entire careers of so many experienced Special Educators, one constant has been the presence of CARS+ in their lives.

That’s particularly amazing, considering that we are a volunteer organization, operated by and for Special Educators in this state.

So thank you for coming. We believe that CARS+ fills a void in the alphabet soup of agencies, departments and organizations which serve the educational needs of our students. We alone represent the classroom teachers from their unique perspective. We understand what you experience every day in school, because we are there, too. In fact, we ARE you. And you ARE us.

The purpose of the annual CARS+ conferences is to bring to us the latest and greatest “best practices,” the cur-rent research into the multitude of special needs we face, and the developments in legal and procedural issues that affect us daily. We offer the opportunity to network with other Special Educators and professionals. We offer the chance to get away from the confines of the classroom for a weekend and see more of the big picture, and understand how we fit into it.

So enjoy the presentations, the networking with other teachers, and the opportunity to feel a little pampered. We all have earned it.

A past keynote speaker for CARS+, Rick Lavoie, said that “Special Education is the crown jewel in the American educational system.” So for one weekend a year, let’s be a prince, let’s be a princess, and realize that all this is for us, the California Special Educator.

Enjoy!

STATE BOARDRobert Hamilton, President

Joyce Childs, President Elect

Dee Torrington, Past President

Laisné Hamilton, Secretary

Nancy Dietrick, Treasurer

Kerry Asbury, Legislative Chair

Michael Every, Magazine Director

Billy Hanna, Communications & Technology Director

REGION DIRECTORSAmy Armstrong, Region 2

OPEN - Region 3

Barbara Gejer, Region 4

Laura Daniel, Region 5

Julia Morris, Region 6

Theresa Bradley, Region 7

Christy VanAlstine, Region 8

CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

Dominican University of California

Continuing Education Credit

Course EDUO 8002 - 1 Unit, $75

Register at dominicancaonline.com, click

on Conferences & WorkshopsCourse EDUO

8002 - 1 Unit, $75

FOUNDING COMMITTEEJaye Hays, Founder

Barbara Boomberg, Elaine Hedge

Vivian Lura, Carol Skinkle, Barbara Van Marter

Board of Directors2015-2016

President’s Message 2

Board of Directors 3

Founding Committee 3

Table of Contents 4

Convention Highlights 5

New Convention ‘Strands’ 6

Workshops - Friday, February 26, 2016 8-20

Workshops - Saturday, February 27, 2016 20-25

CARS+ Grants 27

Hotel Information 28

Convention Information 29

Workshops at a Glance 30-31

Registration Information 32

Table of Contents

Convention Highlights

Keynote SpeakerDr. Richard A. Villa Bayridge Consortium, Inc.

Dr. Richard A. Villa has worked with thousands of teachers and ad-ministrators throughout North America and the world to develop and implement organizational and instructional support systems for edu-cating all students within general education settings. Rich has been a middle and high school classroom teacher, Special Educator, Special Education coordinator, pupil personnel services director, and direc-tor of instructional services. Rich works with schools, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and advocacy organizations. He

has authored over a hundred articles and book chapters regarding inclusive education, differentiated instruction, collaborative planning and teaching, and school restructuring. Dr. Villa has co-edited twelve books and developed three multimedia kits for teachers, administrators, and parents. Rich possesses the conceptual, technical, and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with others and facilitate change and progress in education. He has presented at numerous national and international confer-ences, and is known for his enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and humorous style of presenting.Dr. Villa will be our Saturday keynote speaker, and in addition will present two sessions on Saturday, “Co-teaching” and “Differentiation.”

Special Guests• Chris Drouin, interim Director of Special Education Division, CA Dept of Education (CDE):

Opening remarks on Friday at 8:15

• Chris Ungar, President, CA School Board Assn (CSBA): Opening remarks on Saturday at 8:15

• Scott Kerby, Director of the California Schools for the Deaf and Blind

• Presidents Reception: Friday night 6:00-8:00 • Food and no-host bar

STRAND 1 THE BIG PICTUREAre you interested in seeing how your classroom fits into the world at large? Trying to coordinate your Special Education stu-dents with general education teachers? Be the expert! Knowledge is power!

• The newest trend—Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), presented by those who are doing it the right way, Sanger Unified School District.

• MTSS and RtI—how are they different? How are they the same? Navigating the changes. Joyce Childs and Gail Lancaster.

• Keynote speaker Rich Villa, presenting on co-teaching. How do you avoid being just another body in the class-room?

• Rich Villa again, presenting on differentiating instruction for students with special needs. A must for those who are working with general education teachers and mainstream-ing, MTSS, and other models.

STRAND 2 WHO DO YOU CALL? 411 OR 911? Information or emergency? Need to access resources outside of your immediate administrator? Again, knowledge is power!

• Karen Nutt of the Parents’ Place presents the power of a parent advocacy group in supporting your students and program.

• What can union representation do for you? Ken Den-man (CFT) and Alan Rawlins (CTA) lay it out for you.

• When can the SELPA help you? And how? Ruth Aldrich brings the internet—tips and tricks to help enhance what you do in the classroom.

• Three experienced presenters bring to you the power of mentoring. Who is the person you rely on to listen and understand your issues?

STRAND 3 MANAGING YOUR IEPSHow to keep your IEPs from going sideways on you. How do you reconcile all the different people and opinions at the table? Can you make your meetings shorter and more effective? Knowledge is…you know.

• How to avoid being caught up in lawsuits and fair hear-ings, presented by Rick Ruderman, an attorney who spe-cializes in Special Education cases.

• How to Avoid Someone Like Me…the “me” being a pair of parent advocates who could make your life miserable…or give you incredible support.

• Diana Taylor on authentic assessment. Deal with your student as a whole person.

• Eliminating miscommunication and conflict in your IEP meetings, presented by Jacqueline Thousand.

• Now that we have been freed from the oppression of using only standardized tests and deviations for Special Education eligibility, how do we expand our vision? Jenny Ponzuric presents the PSW model of eligibility.

STRAND 4 “SPECIAL” SPECIAL EDUCATIONThe outliers drive us crazy. You know, the students who lay out-side the “normal” Special Education classes. What do you do?

• Collaborative problem-solving with difficult students, by Scott Mastroianni, a long-time teacher and administrator of students with behavior and emotional issues beyond the norm.

• Beth Lasky and Jeff Mattison present on a growing is-sue—when English Language Learners and Special Educa-tion combine to really complicate your lives.

• Jana Kirk-Levine explores alternative education settings in relation to Special Education.

• Two experts, Diane Gennuso and Anna Paravano, pres-ent on the effects of brain trauma on the student. How are they different? What can you expect to work?

• Gail Lancaster presents on brain research and its impli-cations for education.

We are particularly excited about the line-up of presenters and topics this year. You’ll see some old friends, a lot of new ones, and enhance your classroom with new ideas and expertise. Check the program schedule for specific times for each session.

MISSIONon a

STRAND 5 CLASSROOM STRATEGIESWant something you can take with you and use on Monday morning? Practical, immediate solutions to daily problems.

• ADHD strategies—you know who we’re talking about, and they are in your classroom. Bonnie Terry.

• “A Book of My Own”—Using published books (pub-lished by who?—Aha!) to teach reading. Donna Weber and Svetlana Jodele.

• A perennial favorite, Elizabeth Bremner presents writing essays with ease.

• Bonnie Terry presents “The Magic 5,” an approach to writing.

• SELPA Director Ruth Aldrich presents on transition—and EVERYTHING is transition!

• RC Glymph and Norma Scarborough present Math-Maze, dealing with teaching…well, yes, math…in this age of Common Core.

STRAND 6 TECHNOLOGYBringing the 21st Century to your classroom. It’s not always as expensive as it sounds.

• Bob Barboza gets excited about STEM++! And robots! And Mars! And Antarctica! And music, too! Everything about Bob is followed by at least one exclamation point!

• DaDisi Jacobs brings Google Docs and other apps to your teaching methods.

• Free and low-cost applications for your classroom from Nilsa Thorsos and Joanne Gilbreath.

STRAND 7 SERVICESThis is not a good title for Strand 7. But check it out any-way:

• Sarah Kesty presents “Grit…a Growth Mindset.” How do you develop “grit” in your students? How does a new mindset affect their performance in the classroom?

• Transition services and techniques by Carolle Artiles and Marla Mittskus.

• Keichea Reever discusses the ins and outs of Behavior Intervention Plans. How does this plan help the whole student, and the whole school?

STRAND 8 WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?Dealing with students with specific situations and diagno-ses.

• Learning Differences—we all know about them. What do you do? Nancy Lewis.

• Autism—Leslie Comstock presents on “CAPTAIN,” a valuable resource for students on the Autism spectrum.

• ADHD—Kathy Whelan-Gioia and Scott Gutentag present on techniques that work with students with ADHD.

• Boys—Ever thought about why 80% of Special Educa-tion students are male? Ginna Myers tells us how and why boys are different from girls, and how to use that to your advantage.

EXHIBITOR PRESENTATIONSFriday right after lunch, for the most part, but check the schedule.

• Angela Tenneriello and the SANDI Transition Assess-ment.

• Beth Varner from Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt and As-sessment.

• Dorothy Henson-Parker and “See It Right” on reading and vision.

CARS+ REGION DISCUSSIONSThe last session on Saturday (right after lunch) has been re-served for CARS+ region sessions, led by your Region Directors and Board Members. There are those who do and those who watch it be done. Be a do-er! Find out how to increase your expertise in Special Education, give something back to your col-leagues, and get your questions answered!

The Friday lunch will include the installation of the 2016-2018 CARS+ Board, a short presentation or two, and perhaps a surprise.

The Friday night reception (hors d’oerves and a no-host bar) will give us all an opportunity to mix and mingle with educators and presenters.

The Saturday lunch will feature keynote speaker Rich Villa, a long-time, well-informed, dynamic speaker with a back-ground in Special Education research and future trends.

SESSION IFriday, 8:30 am – 10:00 am

101 ) - KIMBERLY SALOMONSON, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL ED, SANGER USD - MULTI-TIERED SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT

102 ) - DR. SCOTT KERBY, DIRECTOR OF THE CA SPECIAL SCHOOLS (SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND)

103-203 ) - ELENA WATSON AND JENNIFER HARTL - HOW TO AVOID SOMEONE LIKE MEWhen a breakdown in communication and trust happens to a special needs parent they often will call an Advocate. Learn some of the simple techniques that you can apply today. Such as:➢ Rebuilding Trust➢ How to say no to a parent➢ Communication➢ What your rights are as a Specialized Academic Instructor➢ Common IEP ErrorsBIOGRAPHY

Elena Watson earned her Doctorate in Education from Walden University in Education Leadership and a Masters in Special Education. She is a longtime educator of 20 years in the states of California, Florida, and New Mexico. She has a variety of teach-ing and administrative experience from Early Start through Post Secondary High School levels where she earned awards for teaching, research and services. Elena has participated in over 1,000 IEPs, 504s, and IFSPs.

BIOGRAPHYJennifer Hartl earned two Masters degrees: A Masters in Special Education from the State University of New York College at Buffalo and a Masters in Educational Leader-ship from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. She has been in education for the past 15 years as an educator and administrator in the states of New York, New Mexico, and California. She has an extensive background on issues surrounding emotional handicapping conditions.

104 ) - SCOTT MASTROIANNI - AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS. WHAT TO DO WHEN TRADITIONAL APPROACHES DO NOT WORK.

Using a combination of brain research, restorative justice, and collaborative approaches, participants will learn practical strategies to foster behavioral change with students who do not respond to traditional methods. Why don’t typical approaches work? By changing behavior, can you change the brain? How do you accomplish this?

BIOGRAPHYScott Mastroianni has been recognized as Teacher of the Year for Moorpark High School and received the 2013 award for Leadership & Innovation from the National Association of Private Special Education Centers for his work in transforming a non-public special education school for severe behavior challenges. Most recently he was named the 2014 Educator of the Year by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce. Scott

also trains, consults and has presented at various conferences and workshops regarding change, culture/climate, problem solving, emergency/crisis response and program improvement. Scott cur-rently serves as Principal for the Flory Academy of Sciences & Technology, a STEM-focused public TK-5 elementary school. Prior to joining Flory, Scott served as the Director of Educational Services for Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families, a non-profit dedicated to providing hope and help to at-risk youth and their families.

105 ) - BONNIE TERRY - ADHD CLASSROOM STRATEGIESYou will learn specific strategies that work with ADHD Kids in the Classroom: • What is ADHD • Educational Problems Caused by ADHD • Executive Function and ADHD • Steps to Stopping the Fidgeting and Hyperactivity • Steps to Get Your ADHD Kids to Follow Directions • How to Get Your ADHD Kids to Complete Assignments BIOGRAPHY

Bonnie Terry, M. Ed., BCET, is internationally recognized as a Leading Learning Specialist. She is a board certified educational therapist, a learning disability specialist, and dyslexia and ADHD expert. Bonnie is an award winning expert and the International Go To Pro for SpecialNeeds.com: Teacher’s Choice, Teacher’s Favorite, Special Needs Company of the Year, Best Reading Educational Site, Best Learning Disabilities Site, Best Family Activities Site, Top 50 Special Educators to Follow on Twitter. She is also a Best Selling Author: Family Strategies for ADHD Kids, School Strategies for ADHD Kids, Five Minutes to Better Reading Skills, Ten

Minutes to Better Study Skills, and the Sentence Zone Game. Bonnie has a world- wide practice where she teaches teachers and parents how to help their kids improve their skills in 20 minutes a day.

106-206 ) - BOB BARBOZA - GETTING STUDENTS EXCITED ABOUT SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, EN-GINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM)

Teachers are using high motivational STEM, STEAM, and STEAM++ project- ➢ based IEP’s to help students with Common Core (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). I will demonstrate new tools and projects that make it possible for special needs students to be successful meetings goals and working on teams.

107 ) - SARAH KESTY - GROWTH MINDSET: GRITWith so many daily challenges, how do some of our students with disabilities persevere while oth-ers seem to give up? Join us as we explore current research on Growth Mindset. Learn how to teach, hone, and maintain Growth Mindset in your students, and how to extend the “grit” strategies school-wide. Participants will learn about new research on Growth Mindset, including brain research, prom-ising research for teaching/parenting, and examples of Growth Mindset in action. Participants will

also learn new strategies to teach and encourage Growth Mindset in Special and General Education settings. Specific strategies for self-advocacy and modifying classroom environments will be dis-cussed. The power of how we phrase things will be emphasized, with numerous examples for student, adult, and whole-school use will be provided.

BIOGRAPHYSarah Kesty was named Twin Rivers School District’s Teacher of the Year for the 2014-15 school year. She is currently an Special Education Academic Coach in San Diego. She has worked with students with a range of disabilities for over ten years. She has a Masters in Special Education from Sacramento State and two teaching credentials. Sarah is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities. She has experience teaching Kindergarten through high school aged students and coaching Special Olympics. Sarah has spoken to groups of teachers, parents, and students about disability awareness, advocacy, and maximizing life satisfaction. Her speak-

ing has taken her all the way to Belize, where she taught a seminar on behavior management to a group of 150 teachers.

108 ) - NANCY LEWIS - UNDERSTANDING LEARNING DIFFERENCESThis session is ideal for teachers new to Special Education, and experienced teachers who desire fresh material to address LD with students, parents, and staff development/collaboration with paraprofes-sionals and general education staff. Session attendees will receive a colorful booklet entitled, Under-standing Learning Differences, which provides teachers with helpful information to empower their RSP and SDC students, and curb negative behavior. Each page in the booklet has a self-contained concept and the colorful graphics and illustrations make this an enjoyable quick read while learning about LD. The booklet and material are designed for ages eight through adult, and included is a four-page Mul-tiple Intelligence worksheet packet for students. Topics in the booklet to be addressed in the session: *Creativity in the LD Child * The Human Brain and Learning * Learning Styles * The Language of Learning Disability * Causes of LD * Identifying LD in the Classroom BIOGRAPHY

Nancy Lewis, M.A., recently retired from twenty-five years in Special Education in Fresno County. She was a Resource Specialist at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and provided curriculum support to general education in reading intervention. In addition to enjoying retirement with her husband, she currently is a part-time clinical teaching supervisor for Special Education student teachers and interns for Fresno Pacific University. Nancy wrote Understanding Learning Differ-ences to use as a tool for empowering her LD students, helping them focus on their intellectual strengths rather than their LD challenges. She has conducted numerous

“Understanding Learning Differences” staff development sessions.

SESSION IIFRIDAY, 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM

201 ) - GAIL LANCASTER AND JOYCE CHILDS - MTSS/RTIWhat is the difference between the “old” Response to Intervention and the “new” Multi-Tiered Systems of Support? How do we adapt to new service delivery models? How much does this change in ter-minology affect us in the Special Education classroom? Discover the rationale behind the model and how to best use it to our students’ advantage.

BIOGRAPHYGail Lancaster is on her 39th year of teaching special education. She is a resource specialist in Oakhurst California. The elementary school she works at is on year 10 of a well-defined RTI program. Gail is also an Associate Faculty member for 16 years at National University. The holds a master’s degree in Special Education and the following credentials: Multiple Subject, Learning Handicapped, Severely Handi-capped, Resource Specialist Certificate and a CLAD Certificate.

BIOGRAPHYJoyce Childs is the incoming President of CARS+ and an experienced and passion-ate middle school educator. She is active in state-level CTA and in state politics, and brings a wealth of wide-ranging knowledge to her presentations.

202 ) - KAREN NUTT - PARENTS’ PLACE

103-203 ) - ELENA WATSON AND JENNIFER HARTL - (CONT)

204 ) - BETH LASKY/JEFF MATTISON - EL/SP EDCome and learn useful theory and techniques for meeting the needs of English Learners with cognitive, physical, or intellectual disabilities. The presenters, an ELD teacher and a Special Education professor, will demonstrate a variety of methods for teaching, assessing, and differentiating learning difficulties due to disability and/or second language learning. In addition, presenters will discuss important fac-tors to remember when distinguishing second language acquisition behaviors from learning disabili-ties, guidelines for assessing and determining whether an English learner has a disability, and what works according to clearinghouse practice guides, as well as case studies from our own classrooms.

BIOGRAPHYDr. Beth Lasky is Professor of Special Education at California State University, Northridge, where she has taught since 1987. She is an advisor to students pursuing their preliminary credential with a mild/moderate specialization. Dr. Lasky received her PhD from the University of Arizona.

BIOGRAPHYJeff Mattison has taught English Language Development at Cerritos High School in Cerritos, California, since 2013. He previously taught ELD at the Middle School level in Salinas and Long Beach. Mr. Mattison received his M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the Monterey Institute of Interna-tional Studies.

205 ) - DONNA WEBER AND SVETLANA JODELE - A BOOK OF MY OWN – DEVELOPING READING AND WRITING SKILLS THROUGH BOUND BOOKS

This workshop will focus on developing and using the Reading and Writing Common Core Standards. Participants will learn how to use commercially published books to guide students through the pro-cess to make original bound books: with a hole, a pop-up, and an alphabet book.

BIOGRAPHYDonna Weber has been an educator for thirty years as a general education, special day, and resource specialist teacher. She has worked for LAUSD, BUSD, and now Fenton Avenue Charter Schools. Donna holds a BS in Education from Massachu-setts and MS in Education (Elementary Reading and Literacy). Donna loves mak-ing books with her students. She co-presented a session of Making Books at CARS in 1998.

BIOGRAPHY Svetlana Jodele has been an educator for the last 18 years as a special day and resource specialist teacher at Fenton Avenue Charter School. She holds a MA in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. Svetlana loves hands-on activities with her students that promote creativity and learning.

106-206 ) - BARBOZA (CONT)

207 ) - CAROLLE ARTILES AND MARLA MITTSKUS - TRANSITION Our interactive session will allow you to walk away with sample lesson plans and gain great ideas when working with all ability levels from the mild/moderate to the moderate/severe populations. When students are preparing for “life after high school” the transition can be a difficult time for them. Having a life plan and goals in place that fit the student’s dreams for their future can help them become their own self-advocate. Creative lessons will be shared on career planning, budgeting, and goal setting. Lessons will be differentiated for moderate/severe and mild/moderate students.

BIOGRAPHYMarla Mittskus is currently a Transition Teacher at Upland High School, teaching Employment and Career Skills to students with a variety of ability levels and needs. She has developed lessons and activities to teach the “Soft Skills” of the world of work—the unspoken rules of business. Her goal is to foster the self-confidence, self-advocacy and self-determination that helps make the transition to adult life more successful. After working in the corporate world for 30 years, hiring, firing, and man-aging a large staff, she decided to make a career change to Education and teaches students with mild/moderate disabilities.

BIOGRAPHY Carolle Artiles is a Special Education Transition Teacher who teaches students with moderate/severe disabilities. With over 34 years experience working with students in a variety of settings, she has brought her experience to the classroom and assists students to prepare for adult living. For the past two years, Carolle has been a teacher on special assignment overseeing all of the IEP’s at Upland High School.

208 ) - LESLIE COMSTOCK - “CAPTAIN” - AN OVERVIEW OF THE LATEST EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES IN AUTISM

This presentation will review the latest information regarding evidence-based practices in autism. Why it is critical for teachers to use evidence-based practices will also be discussed. Additionally, the California Autism Professional Training and Information Network’s (CAPTAIN) effort to disseminate and train teachers at a statewide level will be reviewed. Participants will also be provided with free resources to access additional information on evidence-based practices.

BIOGRAPHYLeslie Comstock is the Coordinator of Special Education Teacher Induction for Ventura County Office of Education. She holds graduate degrees and credentials in the fields of education, Speech-Language pathology, and school administration. Leslie has over 24 years of experience working in public schools with culturally diverse populations and children of all ages with special needs. She also holds advanced training and certification in the assessment and teaching of students with

autism and related disorders. She currently serves on the leadership team of the California Autism

Professional and Information Training Network (CAPTAIN). She also served as a technical assistant and state trainer for the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders.

SESSION IIIFRIDAY 1:30-3:00

301 ) - ANGELA TENNERIELLO - SANDI TRANSITION ASSESSMENTAssessment for students with disabilities that prioritizes the transitional need areas of vocational, com-munity, academic, and social/emotional learning is critical to overcoming some of these challenges faced throughout our school systems Public schools face challenges in providing transition services which create meaningful and appropriate Individual Transition Plans (ITPs) and objectives for our students.

This interactive and information session will allow for hands-on training and access to experts in Spe-cial Education, Transition Services, and content areas of the Common Core State Standards, who have collaboratively developed a meaningful and relevant assessment intended to support transition plan-ning for students with disabilities.

BIOGRAPHYAngela Tenneriello is a Resource Specialist and a Lead Service Coordinator for the Riverside County Office of Education.

302) - BETH VARNER - ASSESSMENTThis session is for special education teachers who administer standardized academic tests (such as the WJ IV) for special education evaluations. Topics include: optimizing testing time, understanding scores and explaining them to parents, and using results to plan classroom instruction and interven-tions.

BIOGRAPHYBeth Varner, M.Ed., NCSP is a Clinical Account Executive with Houghton-Mifflin-Har-court in Riverside. She is a school psychologist who has worked for public school districts in Alaska, Washington, and California.

303-403 ) DIANA TAYLOR - AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT SCALE: INDIVIDUAL STUDENT EVALUATIONA fifteen-point scale is used to document progress data for any IEP (or RtI) goal/learning objective. It may be used for daily, weekly or monthly assessments without threatening validity, when aligned to reliable curricula. This tool allows the educator to monitor, gauge and report authentic student perfor-mance data, and construct reliable evidence.

BIOGRAPHYDr. Diana Taylor has worked to meet the challenges of students who require special attention as a: speech pathologist, education specialist/Resource Specialist, admin-istrator, university professor and currently program director for Education Specialist at Mount Saint Mary’s University, in Los Angeles. Program development and research includes the concepts of: inclusion, assessment, leadership and instructional theory

as applied to the selection of appropriate adaptations for the struggling learner. 304 ) - R.C. GLYMPH AND NORMA SCARBOROUGH - CREATING POSITIVE ATTITUDES AND GET-TING THE LIGHTS TO COME ON FOR STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE WITH MATHEMATICS

This workshop will focus on using the Math Maze game as an intervention tool to help students develop positive attitudes and mastery of foundation math skills. It will be most useful for students in grades 3-9. Topics to be covered are: overcoming math anxiety, engaging students in their own learning, building number sense and mathematical reasoning, providing opportunities for con-stant practice and review and creating a home school connection. BIOGRAPHY

Mr. Glymph is a mathematics consultant and the Project Director of the Aca-demic Preparation Squad a 501 (C) 3 Non-Profit. The Academic Preparation Squad prepares students for success in advanced mathematics by increasing positive attitudes and active engagement in learning math. The APS strategy centers on the use of ‘Math Maze,’ a creative game that teaches learners math skills in a fun and enjoyable environment. Mr. Glymph holds a Bachelors, Degree in Sociology, a Masters in Mathematics and a second Masters, Degree

in Special Education from Cal State Dominguez Hills. Mr. Glymph taught math and science with a passion for Inglewood Unified, Long Beach Unified and as Los Angeles Unified school districts. He has been involved with special education as a resource teacher dealing with exceptional students in elementary, intermediate and high school.

BIOGRAPHYDr. Scarborough is currently an associate professor and Site Director in the Couples and Family Therapy Program at Alliant University, the Los Angeles campus in Alhambra, CA. Dr. Scarborough is a member of the Community Action Advisory Collaborative in partnership with the Department of Mental Health and Family Services. She received her Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University, and has been an adjunct professor for Pepperdine University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Pacific Oaks College, where she taught theory, research methods, couples therapy, and domestic violence courses to marriage and family therapy master’s level students. In addition, Dr. Scarborough has also co-founded and served as Program Administrator for Secure Transitions Foster Family Agency, an agency that has served the needs of abandoned, neglected, and abused children/adolescents for the past 18 years.Dr. Scarborough is the part-time Clinical Director at Project Impact, a community organization that serves underserved populations. Dr. Scarborough has served as Treasurer and President of AAMFT-CA.

305 ) - ELIZABETH BREMNER - THIS IS SO EASY (THE ATS AND 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY)Participants become students and write an Analytical Thesis Statement using “Mrs. Bremner’s Se-cret Code,” a method I have developed for students in grades 5-12, and the steps to turn it into a 5-paragraph essay “instantly”. The response by students and teachers is, “This so EASY!” Interac-tive and applicable in your class the Monday you get back to school. “This is So Easy” targets writing skills grades 5-12, Special Education students, CCSS writing, or any student who thinks, “I can’t do that.”

BIOGRAPHYMrs. E. Bremner has spent her teaching career working with at-risk/low academic skills youth. She worked in the California Youth Authority as a teacher in the areas of English, Fine Arts Drama, Fine Arts Film, and Test Preparation. She participated in writing the Fine Arts Curriculum for CYA and trained teachers statewide. She was the College Coordinator for the onsite college program where students earned an AA degree while incarcerated. She has worked as a teacher for the Los Angeles County Office of Education providing services to the magnet school program, probation/expulsion/at risk youth, and pregnant/parenting teens.

306 ) - BONNIE TERRY - “THE MAGIC 5” AND WRITINGStruggling with writing? Learn the 5 critical steps of the writing process and:• The 5 steps to turning a learning disadvantage into a learning advantage • Increase comprehension and memory through note-taking • How writing creates a learning advantage • The 5 sentence paragraph • The 5 paragraph essay

BIOGRAPHYBonnie Terry, M. Ed., BCET, is internationally recognized as a Leading Learning Specialist. She is a board certified educational therapist, a learning disability specialist, and dyslexia and ADHD expert. Bonnie is the instructor of ADHD Class-room and Teaching Strategies Course at the University of the Pacific. Bonnie is also an award winning expert and the International Go To Pro for SpecialNeeds.com: Teacher’s Choice, Teacher’s Favorite, Special Needs Company of the Year, Best Reading Educational Site, Best Learning Disabilities Site, Best Family Activities Site, Top 50 Special Educators to Follow on Twitter. She is also a Best Selling Author:

Family Strategies for ADHD Kids, School Strategies for ADHD Kids, Five Minutes to Better Reading Skills, Ten Minutes to Better Study Skills, and the Sentence Zone Game. Bonnie has a world- wide practice where she teaches teachers and parents how to help their kids improve their skills in 20 minutes a day.

307-407 ) - JENNY PONZURIC - PATTERN OF STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS (PSW) MODEL - AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE DISCREPANCY MODEL FOR SLD

The 2004 Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) prohibited states from requiring Local Education Agencies (LEA) to use the ability-achievement discrepancy model and authorized the use of alternative approaches to the identification of students with Specific Learn-ing Disabilities (SLD). The use of the Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW) Model for SLD identification is indicated in the revised CA Education Code. The result was a decision by the Ventura County SELPA to approve a SELPA-wide roll out of the PSW model in 2014. During this presentation, an overview of the model will be reviewed. In addition, the presentation will cover the key learn-ings from the Ventura County SELPA PSW Committee as they reflect on the first year of rolling out the model.

BIOGRAPHYJenny Ponzuric, Director in Teacher Support Services within the Ventura County Office of Education, is one of the lead trainers for the Ventura County SELPA PSW Model. Prior to coming to the county office, Jenny worked as a school psychologist for the Conejo Valley Unified School District for 13 years. She is a Past President of both the CA Association of School Psychologists and the Ventura County Association of School Psychologists. Jenny has also earned her Post-Graduate Certificate in School Neuropsychology.

BIOGRAPHYSandi Killackey, Social-Emotional Specialist and School Psychologist for the Ventura County SELPA, is also one of the lead trainers for the Ventura County PSW Model. Sandi has been a school psychologist for six years and has worked in various districts within and outside of Ven-tura County.

308-408 ) - KATHLEEN WHELAN-GIOIA AND SCOTT GUTENTAG - ADHD TECHNIQUESThis training is an introduction to understanding the complexity of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Cognitive, behavioral, social, and academic issues associated with the con-dition will be discussed. Focus is placed on the critical role of executive functioning (cognitive processes responsible for many of our problem-solving skills) and how an understanding of this functioning translates into effective interventions for students with ADHD. Evidence-based ap-proaches and strategies that can be used at school will be explained.

BIOGRAPHYKathleen Whelan Gioia is a Diagnostic Educational Specialist serving on the transdisciplinary assessment team at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. She holds a M.S. in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Special Education. Previously, Kathy was a Special Day Class teacher, Resource Specialist, Special Education Mentor, and a Support Provider for Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program (BTSA). At graduate level, she has taught classes in the field of Teacher Education. Kathy has extensive experience developing successful

educational programs for students with a variety of disabilities from preschool age to young adulthood. Kathy is especially proud of her work in documentation techniques, IEP best practices and evidenced based strategies to support ADHD. Kathy specializes in the area of Transition issues and positive secondary outcomes for all students. Ardent about post school success, she has developed a Transition Project offered through the Diagnostic Center, Southern California that provides supports to several school districts by aligning mandates for Transition with person-centered–planning activities. Kathy has presented at numerous conferences and conventions throughout the state on the topics of Documentation, ADHD and Transition. Ms. Whelan Gioia serves on the California Consortium on Higher Education for People with Intellectual/Developmen-tal Disabilities (ID/DD) at UCLA. Kathy is also a member of the Improving Special Education Services (ISES), which focuses on State Performance Plan Indicators.

BIOGRAPHYScott Gutentag is a school psychologist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. He holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Child Psy-chology from The Ohio State University. As a licensed educational psychologist, Scott holds the National Certification for School Psychology from the National Asso-ciation of School Psychologists. Scott has provided psychological services in a variety of settings including schools, behavioral clinics, treatment programs, and hospitals. Additionally, he has taught undergraduate and graduate level university

courses in psychology at several institutions. Scott has a particular interest in the assessment and provision of behavior supports for children with developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors.

SESSION IVFRIDAY 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

401 ) - RICK RUDERMAN - AVOID FAIR HEARINGS & LAWSUITSWhat are the top ten reasons that Special Educators and their schools find themselves at the wrong end of a court appearance? Find out how to maintain amicable relationships with parents and be an effective educator and advocate for your students. If you’ve ever felt a situation spiraling out of con-trol, then this is the session for you!

BIOGRAPHYMr. Rick Ruderman is a Special Education attorney in Sacramento who would like to see unnecessary conflicts end.

402 ) - KEN DENMAN AND ALAN RAWLINS - WHAT CAN YOUR UNION DO FOR YOU? (CTA/CFT)Two union leaders, one from the California Federation of Teachers and one from the California Teach-ers’ Association, discuss and answer questions regarding what your union can and cannot do. When is it appropriate to call your union rep? How do you convince your union to support you in Special Education? What questions do you have?

BIOGRAPHYKen Denman is a Special Educator from Los Angeles and a union representative for the CFT, and a Past President of CARS+.

BIOGRAPHY Alan Rawlins is the CTA liaison to the CARS+ board and a Special Educator from San Diego. He has served on several state boards for the CTA.

303-403 ) - DIANA TAYLOR - CONTINUED

404 ) - GINNA MEYERS - LESSONS FROM PSYCHOLOGY: THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING, MEMORY AND ATTENTION

In this workshop, participants will analyze new findings from the science of psychology and de-termine potential applications to teaching. Teachers will investigate variables that most influence learning, how attention can be hacked, and classroom moves that can improve memory retention and retrieval.

Ginna is a Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Professional Development and Stu-dent Assessment in Sacramento.

405 ) - DADISI JACOBSUtilizing GOOGLE Apps and Add-ons: Tips and Tricks for the Busy Special EducatorHow can using free GOOGLE Forms and Add-ons facilitate staff collaboration, data automation and progress monitoring? As a fellow Resource Specialist, I invite you to let me share with you how I have been using GOOGLE Apps in the classroom and with case management.

BIOGRAPHYMaendeleo “DaDisi” Jacobs has been a special educator for 15 years and prides himself on growing and learning professionally each year. For the past 6 years he has collected a plethora of Web 2.0 tools, which led to his discovery of Google Apps. In 2012, he earned a Leading Edge Certification (LEC) in the area of online and blended teaching and learning. This national certification in educational technology and curriculum innovation is exactly what DaDisi needed to continue his professional learning and development in this field. He is committed to sharing what he has learned and encourages all to take, inno-

vate and share what you do with others.

406 ) - JOANNE GILBREATH AND NILSA THORSOS - TEACHING DIGITAL LEARNERS WITH FREE AND LOW-COST APPS

Effective integration of technology into the instructional practices of educators is the focus of Dr. Gilbreath in her work with the Master of Arts in Education: Digital Teaching and Learning program. She works directly with students and faculty in learning about current technologies and implementing new digital tools and instructional practices into a teacher’s professional practice. Students in the Digital Teaching and Learning program are completing their credential work in Special Education. In addition to presentations at education technology conferences, Dr. Gilbreath has presented at NCATE, WASC, and international

conferences on accreditation and assessment.

BIOGRAPHYDr. Nilsa Thorsos, is Professor in the Department of Special Education for National University, and specializes in Bilingual Special Education and Special Education. Her areas of academic interest include teacher education, profes-sional development, minority overrepresentation in Special Education, and mentoring in Higher Education. An experienced, credentialed teacher, she served as president of the California Association Professors of Special Educa-tion (CAPSE) and presents regularly in international and other venues on topics

related to Special Education.

307-407 ) - PONZURIC (CONT)

308-408 ) - WHELAN-GIOIA/GUTENTAG (CONT)

SESSION VSATURDAY, 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

501 ) - RICH VILLA - CO-TEACHING

502 ) - RUTH ALDRICH - THE BEST OF THE BEST FOR THE VERY BEST: TIPS, TRICKS, AND TOOLS FOR TEACHERS

This session will focus on resources to help you get through each and every day—if only by the hair on your chinny, chin, chin. 7,491,236 hits???!!! Here’s where you’ll find the “Best of the Best” Internet Resources without wading knee deep in mud!

BIOGRAPHYDr. Aldrich (Dr. Ruth) began working in the field of Special Education as an Instructional Assistant in 1979, and, as Jack O’Connell used to say, “It’s been all downhill from there.” Seriously, for over 35 years, it’s been her distinct pleasure to work with both deviantly-gifted students and teachers, in both nonpublic and public schools, in the Desert/Mountain SELPA in South-ern California and in her current position as the Sr. Director for SELPA & Student Services in Lake County. She’s spent a multitude of years developing

and implementing programs for students who struggle in school, both academically and behav-iorally. Dr. Ruth is thrilled at the opportunity to share tons of strategies, tips and tools with the folks she loves the most—teachers!

503-603 ) - JACQUELINE THOUSAND - ELIMINATING MISCOMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT

504 ) - JANA KIRK-LEVINE - THE SQUARE PEG…ALTERNATIVE EDDo you feel like you are often putting a square peg in a round hole? I do! Finding the balance between best practice, legal compliance and reality is tricky. Come sit with other special teachers and let us share stories, strategies laughs and maybe even tears. This will be an interactive work-shop. How you interact is your choice. We all come with our own unique ways of doing things. Some of us are talkers, others listeners and others somewhere in between. There is a place on the spectrum of normal for all.

BIOGRAPHYFor the last three years I have been the Special Education Coordinator for a K-12 home-based independent study personalized learning charter school in Eureka. Before that my teaching experiences have mostly been in alternative settings: teaching swimming to children and adults, teaching home arts in my home, teaching in a rural necessary small school middle school program, and teaching in a continuation credit recovery high school. These combined experiences help me to fit the square peg in a round hole. And yes, I walked uphill both ways to

school.

505 ) - DOROTHY HENSON-PARKER AND ROMY SPERLING - COLORED OVERLAYS AND THE COMMON CORE. IS THERE A CONNECTION?

See it Right!®, a classwork-based assessment and intervention program, uses colored overlays to identify and remediate visual perceptual problems caused by a sensitivity to light. Moving and changing letters and words cause reading, writing and attention problems. This research-based program was developed specifically for teachers and specialists. Learn connections to RtI and Common Core. Novel techniques, research, color samples, student video.

Dorothy Henson-Parker is a bilingual Licensed Educational Psychologist who has taught both regular and special education. She served as a school psychol-ogist in Pomona USD for 22 years and is the author of the See it Right!® class-work-based assessment system which is in use across the U.S.

Romy Sperling has been a Resource Specialist Teacher for Los Angeles USD for 20 years. She also is an Educational Therapist who practices privately and has been a trainer and consultant for See it Right! for 15 years.

506 ) - E. BREMNER - FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY (REPEAT SESSION)

507-607 ) - KEICHEA REEVER - TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS

This transformational presentation was designed to empower educators with strategies that will build their personal leadership skills. Dr. Keichea Reever leads using a transformational leadership style and she will model this approach during the presentation. Transformational Leadership is reciprocal which means that as you develop and practice this leadership style, your students and other adults will develop their sense of what effective leadership looks like. Participants will learn the 10 most ef-fective Personal Leadership Development Strategies.

BIOGRAPHYDr. Keichea Reever is very passionate about helping youth and adults reach their full Potential! She is also passionate about making sure that students with special needs receive the quality education that they all deserve. Dr. Reever currently works as a Program Specialist for a school district in Southern California where she oversees the Special Education Programs at 14 local schools (Public and Non-Public). Dr. Reever is also the Founder/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Southern California Mentoring Academy (SCMA) which was established in 2006. The SCMA aims to increase self-awareness, self-worth, self-esteem, self-confi-

dence, self-determination and authentic self-leadership in youth and young adults.

Dr. Reever completed her Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership from the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University in 2010. She completed her Masters of Science Degree in Administration in 2005 from Pepperdine University. Dr. Reever completed her Master’s Degree in Speech Communication from California State University Fullerton in 1995. She completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communicative Disorders in 1993 from California State University Long Beach. Dr. Reever holds a license as a Speech Language Pathologist.

508 ) - GINNA MYERS - REACHING BOYS, TEACHING BOYSIn this workshop, participants will explore the world of males and boys, examining sex-based differ-ences in the brain, and potential differences in cognition. Gender roles and identity development will also be discussed. Ways to engage male students, and improve academic success, will be shared.

Ginna is a Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Professional Development and Student Assessment in Sacramento.

SESSION VISATURDAY, 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM

601 ) - RICH VILLA - DIFFERENTIATION

602 ) - DOBRENEN/ THORSOS/ JONES-WADSWORTH - CALIFORNIA MASTER TEACHER’S LEGACY Effective Mentoring Practices in Special Education is a workshop that will address expectations for university professors and Master Teachers who serve as mentors, supervisors or support providers for interns and student teachers. This workshop will include effective professional development for special education classroom teachers who are willing to serve as teacher leaders or master teachers. Mentor-ing novice teacher candidates promotes an opportunity to reflect on personal teaching practices for self-efficacy and motivation to expand upon one’s teaching practices. In addition, mentoring teacher

candidates is an opportunity to access new theories, research based strategies in areas of: brain base behavior, literacy, behavior, ELL, math, science, autism, and assistive technology.

BIOGRAPHYDiana D. Dobrenen is a full-time instructor in the Department of Special Educa-tion for National University and specializes in clinical practice teacher preparation models such as coaching and mentoring. Ms. Dobrenen accomplished thirty years of service in public education as a teacher and administrator at the el-ementary and secondary levels. Prior to serving as a site administrator, Ms. Dobrenen dedicated years of service as a general and special education teacher,

with the opportunity to open the first Resource Specialist Program offered by the State of California.

BIOGRAPHYDr. Nilsa Thorsos, is Professor in the Department of Special Education for National University, and specializes in Bilingual Special Education and special education. Her areas of academic interest include teacher education, professional develop-ment, minority overrepresentation in special education, and mentoring in Higher Education. An experienced, credentialed teacher, she served as president of the California Association Professors of Special Education (CAPSE) and presents regularly in international and other venues on topics related to special education.

BIOGRAPHYDr. Jan Jones Wadsworth worked as a consultant whose primary responsibility was in the area of Special Education policy and issues at the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, for twelve years prior to retirement. While at the Commis-sion, she served on various federal and state committees and made numerous presentations to stakeholder groups. She has over 40 years experience as a Special Educator and Administrator and continues to serve as an independent consultant in Special Education arenas

503-603 ) - (CONT)

604 ) - DIANE GENNUSO AND ANNA PARAVANO - WHAT’S GOING ON IN THERE? HOW TRAUMA IMPACTS LEARNING

There is increasing evidence that hundreds of thousands of children have been the victims of early childhood trauma. These traumas can deeply impact the child’s emotional, psychological and cognitive development in unexpected ways and can have life-long repercussions. This training is focused directly on introducing attendees to the various dimensions of trauma in-cluding:

• what trauma is • the nature of Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) • the effect of trauma on children • identifying the resulting behaviors • the need for trauma-sensitive educators• strategies for a trauma sensitive classroom

BIOGRAPHYDiane Gennuso, MA began her career in Special Education when PL 94-142 was “Big News”. She taught Special Day Classes and a bilingual general education kindergarten program before taking time off to raise her two sons. During those years, she was a Fieldwork Supervisor and Education Clinical Coordinator at Brandman University. Since returning to the classroom she has been teaching in the Resource Specialist Program. While working in schools with

an increasing number of students who are in foster care and seeing their challenges to adapt to new faces and routines only to be moved within days, weeks or months, Diane has seen the need for a different model of classroom support for these children, as well as others with emotional issues. After a ‘God-sent’ introduction to Anna, the two have begun working to bring trauma sensitivity into schools. She is currently serving on the Attachment & Trauma Network’s Board of Directors and is passionate on this need whose time has come.

BIOGRAPHYAnna Paravano, M.S., CID. Education Director, Attachment & Trauma Network and Interior Design Instructor. Anna is a veteran designer with over 30 years experience and has taught at the college level for 16 years. She holds a Masters in Family & Environmental Sciences with an emphasis on spirituality/space and human response to environments. At the age of 45, Anna switched her life focus when she became a mom through adoption to a child with Complex Trauma. She is trained as a therapeutic parent in attachment, regulation therapy and the Community Resilience Model (CRM) through the Trauma Resource

Institute. Currently, Anna now educates, develops curriculum, writes, coaches and consults with caregivers and organizations on attachment and trauma related topics and issues.

605 ) - RUTH ALDRICH - THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE: HOW EVERYTHING YOU DO IS “TRANSITION”

This session explores paths to demolishing the “Special Education to Prison Pipeline” through Structured Choices, Self-Determination, and a Dedication to Whatever Works to make a Difference in the Life of a Child. All the “Great Ideas I Stole from other Teachers” and a few of my own will be shared. BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Aldrich (Dr. Ruth) began working in the field of Special Education as an In-structional Assistant in 1979, and, as Jack O’Connell used to say, “It’s been all downhill from there.” Seriously, for over 35 years, it’s been her distinct pleasure to work with both deviantly-gifted students and teachers, in both nonpublic and public schools, in the Desert/Mountain SELPA in Southern California and in her current position as the Sr. Director for SELPA & Student Services in Lake County.

She’s spent a multitude of years developing and implementing programs for students who struggle in school, both academically and behaviorally. Dr. Ruth is thrilled at the opportunity to share tons of strategies, tips and tools with the folks she loves the most- teachers!

606 ) - GAIL LANCASTER - LEARNING, THE BRAIN AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT.This interactive workshop will give information on how students learn. It will include engagement

techniques that will help students to remember learned material, how to study and increase student participation. Practical suggestions to pass on to General Education teachers that will help them to involve Special Education students are included. BIOGRAPHY

Gail Lancaster is on her 39th year of teaching special education. She is a Re-source Specialist in Oakhurst California. The elementary school she works at is on year 10 of a well-defined RTI program. Gail has also been an Associate Faculty member for 16 years at National University. She holds a master’s degree in Special Education and the following credentials: Multiple Subject, Learning Handicapped, Severely Handicapped, Resource Specialist Certificate and a CLAD Certificate.

507-607 ) - REEVER - (CONT)

608 ) - INNERU - MINDFULNESS

SESSION VIISATURDAY, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

(CARS+ REGION MEETINGS)

702 ) - REGION 2 (CENTRAL VALLEY) AMY ARMSTRONG, REGION 2 DIRECTOR AND BILLY HANNA, DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

703 ) - REGION 3 (SF BAY AREA AND NORTH BAY) - JOYCE CHILDS, CARS+ PRESIDENT (2016-2018), AND LAISNÉ HAMILTON, CARS+ SECRETARY.

704 ) - REGION 4 (LOS ANGELES) - BARBARA GEJER, CARS+ REGION 4 DIRECTOR AND DR. SAUL DUARTE

705 ) - REGION 5 (SAN BERNARDINO, RIVERSIDE COUNTIES) - LAURA DANIEL, CARS+ REGION 5 DIRECTOR, AND MICHAEL EVERY, CARS+ MAGAZINE DIRECTOR

706 ) - REGION 6 (SAN DIEGO AREA) - JULIA MORRIS, CARS+ REGION 6 DIRECTOR, ALAN RAWLINS, CTA LIAISON TO THE CARS+ BOARD, AND DADISI JACOBS, CARS+ MEMBER AND CONVENTION PRESENTER

707 ) - REGION 7 (SACRAMENTO VALLEY NORTH TO THE OREGON BORDER) - THERESA BRADLEY, CARS+ REGION 7 DIRECTOR

708 ) - REGION 8 (CENTRAL COAST REGION) - CHRISTY VANALSTINE, CARS+ REGION 8 DIRECTOR, AND NANCY DIETRICK, CARS+ TREASURER

Gourmet lunches prepared

by Celebrity Chef Brad Martin

as seen on ABC’s The Taste, praised for his “utterly delicious”

cooking by his Judge/Mentor, Anthony Bourdain.

2015 - No Winner2014 - Melanie Sandoval, Region 42013 - Sarah Kesty, Region 7 2012 - No recipient 2011 - John Mouanoutoua, Region 22010 - Jennifer Wilson, Region 2 2009 - Julia Shepard, Region 22008 - Jennifer Floyd, Region 72007 - Yumi (Mixutani) Marvsawa, Region 42006 - MaryBeth Lewison, Region 42005 - Deirdre O’Reilly, Region 72004 - Charles Anderson & Ginger Matich, Region 3 Linda Nimer, Region 2

2003 - Rose Caglia, Region 2 Jill Rathe, Region 1 Bonnie Stewart-Bell, Region 72002 - Edith Madrigal, Region 4 Marion Smith, Region 1 Carl Treutle, Region 62001 - Nancy Lewis, Region 2 Linda Nimer, Region 22000 - Sue Shotwell, Region 4 Carol VanSant, Region 1 Thom Wozniak, Region 3

“Janny Latno” Grant for Quality Program 15 Years of Winners 2000-2016

This grant program has been established to enhance the quality of ongoing special edu-cation instruction and encourage development of creative new programs throughout Cal-ifornia. This grant offers individual stipends of $500 annually. For more details check out the application online at www.carsplus.org.

Diana Blackmon Transition ScholarshipThis grant is for interns and teachers in their first five years, who are working at the

secondary level (high school/middle school), who are members of CARS+, and who

are using the Transition to Adult Life document and/or CD are eligible to apply for

this CARS+ Award. The scholarship includes a one-year extension of your CARS+

membership and a ‘free’ registration fee.

2015 – No Applicant

2014 – Allison Steinmann – Region 8


2012 – Julie Tucker – Region 3

2011 – Carolle Artiles – Region 5

2010 – Bill Hanna – Region 8


2008 – First year

Grant Information

Hotel Information

Admission to the Convention includes:• Workshop Sessions, General Sessions, and Exhibitor Sessions• Light Continental Breakfast - both days• Friday Breakfast will be the Opening of the 35th Annual Convention by Interim State Director of Special

Education, Chris Druin. Saturday Lunch with Keynote Speaker Dr. Richard A Villa• Networking through Region Events• Access to our website to download any or all handouts from speakers• A chance to win Exhibitor Passport Drawings valuable prizes donated by our Exhibitors• A chance to win a free registration for Convention 2017 during our drawings on Saturday

Cancellation and Refund PolicyRequests for cancellation refunds must be received in writing by mail, and postmarked by January 31, 2016. Refund request postmarked after that date will not be processed. No exceptions. A $35.00 processing fee applied to all requests for refunds. Cancellations will not be processed on-site.

Address for cancellations/refund request:CARS+ - The Organization for Special Educators

4010 Foothills Blvd #103-237Roseville, CA 95747

This cancellation/refund policy applies to Convention Registration fees only. From time to time, CARS+ may offer fee-based tours. Those fees are non-refundable.

No-Show PolicyNo-shows will be billed. If you register for the convention, do not cancel as noted above and do not remit payment, you will be billed.

Purchase Orders PolicyPurchase orders are not accepted as “final” payment of convention registration fees. Registrant must remit payment by check or credit card. If you wish to use your district purchase order system to pay for registration, a copy of the purchase order must accompany the registration form (your district will NOT be invoiced). You must also provide a valid credit card number. If the purchase order payment is not received during the time specified for the applicable rate (regular registration, advanced or on-site), your credit card will be charged for the difference between the amount of purchase order payment and the amount due at the time payment is received. If purchase order payments are not received by February 15, 2016, your credit card will be charged for the full amount due. Registrants are responsible for ensuring timely payment of their registration fee, regardless of payment method.

Convention Information

FRIDAY I FRIDAY II FRIDAY IIIEXIBITORS

FRIDAY IV SATURDAY V SATURDAY VI SATURDAY VIICARS+

CLARIFYING THE BIG PICTURE

101SANGER USDMulti-Tiered

Systems of Support

201GAIL LANCASTER/

JOYCE CHILDSMTSS AND RTI

301ANGELA TENNERIELLO

SANDI Transition Assessment

401RICK RUDERMAN

Avoid Fair Hearings and Lawsuits

501RICH VILLA

Co-teaching

601RICH VILLA

Differentiation

701NA

WHO DO YOU CALL?

411 OR 911?

102TBA

202KAREN NUTT

Parents’ Place

302BETH VARNER

HMHAssessment

402KEN DENMAN / ALAN RAWLINS

Union repsCTA/CFT

502RUTH ALDRICH

SELPAs and Web Resources

602DIANA DOBRENEN / NILSA THORSOS

/ JANET WADSWORTH-JONESMentoring

702REGION 2

Amy Armstrong/Billy Hanna

MANAGING YOUR IEPS

103-203ELENA WATSON/JENNIFER HARTL

How to Avoid Someone Like Me

303-403DIANA TAYLOR

“Authentic Assessment Scale”

503-603JACQUELINE THOUSAND

Eliminating Miscommunication and Conflict

703REGION 3

Joyce Childs/Laisne Hamilton

“SPECIAL” SPECIAL EDUCATION

104SCOTT MASTROIANNI

Collaborative Problem-Solving

204BETH LASKY/JEFF MATTISON

EL/Sp Ed

304RC GLYMPH/

NORMA SCARBOROUGHMathMaze

404SCOTT KERBYState Schools

Deaf/Blind

504JANA KIRK-LEVINE “The Square Peg”

Alternative Ed. Services

604DIANE GENNUSO / ANNA PARAVANOImpact of Trauma

704REGION 4

Barbara Gejer

CLASSROOM STRATEGIES

105BONNIE TERRY

ADHD Strategies

205DONNA WEBER/SVETLANA JODELE

Book of My Own

305ELIZABETH BREMNER

Five Paragraph Essay

405DADISI JACOBS

Google Doc and Apps

505DOROTHY HENSON-PARKER /

ROMY SPERLINGColored Overlays and the Common

Core. Is There a Connection?

605RUTH ALDRICH

The Only Constant is Change: Transition

705REGION 5

Laura Daniel /Michael Every

TECHNOLOG106-206

BOB BARBOZAGet Excited About STEM

306BONNIE TERRY

“The Magic 5” and Writing

406JOANNE GILBREATH/NILSA THORSOS

Free/Low-Cost Apps


Five Paragraph Essay606

GAIL LANCASTERBrain Research

706REGION 6

Julia Morris/Alan Rawlins/Dadisi Jacobs

SERVICES107

SARAH KESTYGrowth Mindset: Grit

207CAROLLE ARTILES/MARLA MITTSKUS

Transition

307-407JENNY PONZURIC

PSW Model of Eligibility

507-607KEICHEA REEVER

Transformational Leadership and Personal Development

707REGION 7

Theresa Bradley

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE

108NANCY LEWIS

Learning Differences

208LESLIE COMSTOCK “CAPTAIN” Autism

308-408KATHLEEN WHELAN-GOIA/SCOTT GUTENTAG

ADHD Techniques508

GINNA MYERS Teaching Boys, Reaching Boys

608INNERU

Mindfulness

708REGION 8

Christy VanAlstine/Nancy Dietrick

Friday Workshops at a Glance





Systems of Support

201GAIL LANCASTER/




401RICK RUDERMAN


501RICH VILLA

Co-teaching

601RICH VILLA

Differentiation

701NA

WHO DO YOU CALL?

411 OR 911?

102TBA

202KAREN NUTT

Parents’ Place

302BETH VARNER

HMHAssessment


Union repsCTA/CFT

502RUTH ALDRICH




702REGION 2


MANAGING YOUR IEPS



303-403DIANA TAYLOR




703REGION 3






EL/Sp Ed

304RC GLYMPH/



Deaf/Blind




704REGION 4

Barbara Gejer


105BONNIE TERRY

ADHD Strategies


Book of My Own



405DADISI JACOBS

Google Doc and Apps




605RUTH ALDRICH


705REGION 5


TECHNOLOG106-206


306BONNIE TERRY



Free/Low-Cost Apps




706REGION 6


SERVICES107



Transition





707REGION 7

Theresa Bradley


108NANCY LEWIS




ADHD Techniques508


608INNERU

Mindfulness

708REGION 8






Systems of Support

201GAIL LANCASTER/




401RICK RUDERMAN


501RICH VILLA

Co-teaching

601RICH VILLA

Differentiation

701NA

WHO DO YOU CALL?

411 OR 911?

102TBA

202KAREN NUTT

Parents’ Place

302BETH VARNER

HMHAssessment


Union repsCTA/CFT

502RUTH ALDRICH




702REGION 2


MANAGING YOUR IEPS



303-403DIANA TAYLOR




703REGION 3






EL/Sp Ed

304RC GLYMPH/



Deaf/Blind




704REGION 4

Barbara Gejer


105BONNIE TERRY

ADHD Strategies


Book of My Own



405DADISI JACOBS

Google Doc and Apps




605RUTH ALDRICH


705REGION 5


TECHNOLOG106-206


306BONNIE TERRY



Free/Low-Cost Apps




706REGION 6


SERVICES107



Transition





707REGION 7

Theresa Bradley


108NANCY LEWIS




ADHD Techniques508


608INNERU

Mindfulness

708REGION 8


Saturday Workshops at a Glance

First Name: ___________________________ Last Name: _____________________________ CARS+ Member: Yes No

Position: ______________________________ School/Agency/Organization: ______________________________________

District:______________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________________

City: ____________________________County: _________________State: ___________ Postal Code: _______________

Daytime Phone: _____________________________Email: ___________________________________Region #: _________

Please note: a valid email address is required in order to receive a receipt for payment of registration fees.

Registrants are encouraged to register online at the CARS+ Website (www.carsplus.org). If you register only and pay by check, your registration is considered pending until payment is received and processed. If payment is received after a rate period has expired, you will be billed for the difference between the amount received and the current amount due. Fax and phone registrations are not accepted unless accompanied by payment.

WORKSHOPS:Please indicate your selection for each session, using the Session Number. Session selections help determine classroom size and do not reserve seats.

Friday Session: I II III IV

Saturday Sessions: V VI VII

Register online at www.carsplus.org, if you are paying by credit card. Register by fax or mail if you are paying by purchase order. Online registration is currently open. If mailing your registration form and payment, please note that confirmation of registration

may be delayed due to the volume of registrations received. Please mail to the following address:

CARS+ -- The Organization for Special Educators 4010 Foothills Blvd #103-237

Roseville, CA 95747Phone: 855.CARS.810 • Fax: 916-580-2799

Registrations that are either incomplete or submitted without payment will not be processed.

CARS+ 2016 CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM

Please make hotel reservations directly with The Mission Inn or Hyatt Place.

Mission Inn: 888-748-7733, use group identification "CARS+" Hyatt Place:1-888-Hyatt-Hp, Mention Group Code: G-CARS

I would like to become a member/renew my membership¨ Active, 1-year $75 / 2 year $120……………………. $_____________¨ Associate, 1-year $60…………………………………$_____________

REGISTRATION FEESFull Convention:

Price Extended After Payment Received by: to 1/26/16 1/26/16

CARS+ Members: $325* $375* $_____________Non-Members: $425 $475* $_____________

¨ Intern Pre-Service and Membership $255 $_____________(Not currently or previously employed in Special Education)

Single Day¨ Friday Only $199 …………………………………… $_____________¨ Saturday Only $149………………………………… $_____________

¨Group Discount A group of 5 or more from the same organization would receive a 10% discount. If paying by credit card, a 4% processing fee will be charged. Registrations would need to be made by fax or mail. $_____________

TOTAL FEES DUE: $_____________Payment Method: ¨ Check / money order, payable to CARS+ ¨ Visa/MasterCard/Amex PO #Card Number:Expiration Date: CVV:Name on Card:Billing Address:

¨ I authorize CARS+ to charge my credit card in three installments.

¨ I authorize CARS+ to charge my card for the total amount due.

Signed:

*Payment must be received by deadline to receive current rates.

Meals/Special Requests:

¨ Vegetarian/Vegan meal requested

¨ Food allergy/dietary restrictions:

¨ I require special accomodations to participate fully.

Please contact me via: ¨ Phone ¨ Email

FEBRUARY 26-27, 2016MISSIONon a

president’s message - cars+carsplus.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/conventionebrochure2016... ·...

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