2026 Summer Conference Schedule
24th Annual Summer Conference
Lead Boldly ~ Empower Every Learner
July 13-15th 2026
We will update this page frequently as details are finalized. Please check back!
Visit our conference information page to register!
Conference Schedule
Monday July 13, 2026
7:45 Registration
8:20 Welcome and Opening Activities
09:00 Keynote I: Lead From Who You Are - Dr. Joe Sanfelippo
10:30 Vendor Showcase
11:00 Regional Group Sessions:
12:00 Vendor Showcase
12:15 Friend of Special Education Award - Dr. Lynn Allen Deputy Superintendent PNW BOCES/ Lunch/ Business Meeting
1:15 Keynote II: Advocacy and Collective Leadership in Complex Times Phyllis Wolfram - National CASE
2:45 Vendor Showcase
3:15 Breakout Session I:
Session A: What Are We Learning About AI in Special Education? A Leadership Roundtable on Glows, Grows, Guardrails, and Next Steps -
Jon Mitchell
Session B: Expanding Mental health in Schools with the School Mental Health Resource and Training (SMHRT) Center Donna Bradbury
Session C: Lead Boldly at the IEP Table: Trust, Voice, and Partnership Yvette Goorevitch, Naomi Brickel
Session D: Creating Accessible Education through Assistive Technology Tammy Goedkin
4:15 Vendor Showcase
4:45 Co-Presidents' Reception
Tuesday July 14, 2026
8:15 Breakfast
8:30 Introductions/Announcements
9:00 Keynote III: Soaring Balloons & Heavy Shackles - Helping the Most Challenged Kids Soar - Heidy LaFleur
10:30 Vendor Showcase
11:00 Breakout II:
Session E: Reacting vs. Responding to Behavior...The Power of 60 Seconds Heidy LaFleur
Session F: Literacy Unleashed: Connecting Students to the Power of Words Dr. Mervin Jenkins
Session G: When Challenges Arise: Mediation as a Tool for Special Education Conflict Bobbie Dillon, Yvette Goorevitch, Rebecca Fenlong
Session H: Fostering Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems: Aligning the Local System of Care with MTSS Models to Support School Based Mental Health Initiatives Victoria Shaw
12:00 Vendor Showcase
12:20 Lunch/ Karen Norlander Award for Outstanding Legal Advocacy - Tara Moffett, Esq.
1:15 Special Education Legal Update - What You Need to Know Now: Tara Moffett Esq.
2:15 Vendor Showcase
2:45 Breakout III:
Breakout I: Let’s Give Them More to Talk About: Using Brain Science and Diffusion of Knowledge to Strengthen Trauma-Assumed Practice
Dr. Maurene Goodman, Dr. Alexandra Vernice
Breakout J: Lessons Learned Evaluating Special Education Services Across NYS Dr. Kristin Dudek, Dr. Brian Schmitt, Mr. Robert Breidenstein
Breakout K: AI as a SpEd Thought Partner: Exploring Workflows to Strengthen IEP Goals, Streamline Progress Monitoring, and Improve Family Communication Matt Giovanniello, Christine Perricelli, Alana Winnick
Breakout L: Advocacy Basics: How to Use Your Voice to Support Special Education Dr. Rae Lynn Helman, Dr. Andrew J. Ecker
3:45 Vendor Showcase
4:15 Committee Meetings TBA
Wednesday July 15, 2026
8:30 Breakfast
8:45 Introductions
9:00 Special Education Administrator of the Year Award - TBA
9:30 Keynote V: Office of Special Education and ACCES:
Christopher Suriano Assistant Commissioner NYSED
11:00 Raffle items!
Adjourn
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