Explore Day 2 of the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat
The 2025 Summer Retreat continues on Wednesday, June 18, with a full day of engaging, virtual professional learning sessions centered around the theme: Supporting Special Populations. Whether you're working with students who need behavior interventions, navigating the complexities of IEPs, or strengthening family engagement across languages and cultures, Day 2 is designed to provide actionable tools, strategies, and supports to help every student thrive.
All sessions are virtual and qualify for PD hours. If you haven’t registered yet, be sure to sign up today to access both live sessions and post-event recordings and materials! Read on to learn more about the sessions offered on Day 2 – Wednesday, June 18, under the theme: Supporting Special Populations.
8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
An Introduction to the SIM Form and Targeted Behavior Interventions (Behavior Session)
Presenter: Kelly Davis, Sandy Crawley - Specialists Arch Ford
This session is an introduction to Targeted Behavior Interventions. Are you ready to elevate your behavior intervention skills? This engaging introductory training is designed to provide you with the tools and strategies necessary to support students who are “at risk” and require targeted interventions. You'll explore the Student Intervention Matching (SIM) Form, a powerful tool that connects student behaviors with effective Tier II interventions.
Throughout this session, you’ll dive into a range of impactful interventions, including the School-Home Note, Check-In Check-Out, Class Pass, Positive Peer Reporting, Behavior Contracts, Self-Monitoring, and Small Group Social Emotional Learning.
Attendees will explore the Student Intervention Matching (SIM) Form, a powerful tool that connects student behaviors with effective Tier II interventions.
9:40 A.M. – 10:40 A.M.
Trauma-Invested Classrooms
Presenter: Amanda Musick – AR AWARE
Based on the work of Kristin Souers and Pete Hall, this session will walk educators through what trauma-invested teachers do and how a trauma-invested classroom functions.
Educators will develop a greater understanding of the impact of trauma on young children, how the impact can shape young people as they develop into adults, and how those impacts can impede a child’s ability to learn over the course of their development.
10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.
Differentiation and the Gifted Learner
Presenter: Sally Stuart APSRC
This workshop will define characteristics of giftedness as well as provide strategies for designing lessons to meet the gifted learners needs.
12:50 P.M. - 1:50 P.M.
Empowering Futures: Arkansas Rehabilitation Services and the Transition to Postsecondary Success
Presenter: MaryAnn Caldwell
This presentation highlights the vital role of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) in equipping high school students with disabilities for life beyond graduation. By focusing on individualized planning, career exploration, skill development, and access to essential support services, ARS helps bridge the gap between high school and the postsecondary world—whether that be college, vocational training, or employment.
Attendees will gain insight into the programs, partnerships, and strategies that are transforming possibilities into realities for Arkansas youth, ensuring they are prepared, confident, and capable of achieving their goals.
8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
Goals that Grow: Charting a Course for Student Progress
Presenter: Julie Amstutz/DESE
Participants will revisit the essential components of writing clear, measurable, and meaningful IEP goals. Educators will learn how to develop goals that not only meet compliance requirements but also support real student growth.
Participants will leave with practical strategies for aligning goals with identified needs and ensuring progress is both trackable and purposeful.
2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Present Levels with Purpose: Telling the Student's Story
Presenter: Julie Amstutz/DESE
Participants will revisit the foundational components of writing effective Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statements. Emphasizing both academic and functional performance, this session will highlight the critical role of the PLAAFP in telling each student’s unique story. Attendees will learn how to craft purposeful PLAAFPs that clearly identify strengths and needs, setting the stage for meaningful, individualized goals and objectives.
Whether you're new to writing IEPs or looking to refine your practice, this session will reinforce the importance of letting the student’s current performance guide the path forward.
2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Challenges and Opportunities of Educational Interpreters
Aida Kuettle - ABICE
In today’s diverse educational landscape, building meaningful connections with families is essential to student success. This session, led by ABICE-credentialed interpreter and ESOL coordinator Aida Kuettle, will empower educators with the tools to navigate language barriers, cultural nuances, and communication challenges commonly encountered when partnering with multilingual families.
This session will equip educators with practical strategies to improve communication with linguistically diverse families. Participants will gain insight into role clarity, ethical considerations, legal obligations under Title VI, and the differences between bilingual staff and trained interpreters. Educators will leave with tools to foster and support meaningful family engagement.
Key topics include communication strategies, cultural competence, interpreter role definition, and how to promote ABICE training within school communities.
9:40 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.
Making Time for Every Learner: Inclusive Scheduling Strategies for Special Education
Presenter: Kelli Gordon, Director of Special Education at Conway Public Schools
In this session, participants will explore effective scheduling practices that support inclusive education in both elementary and secondary school settings. We'll examine how to align special education services with general education instruction to promote access, participation, and progress for all students. Topics include collaborative planning, co-teaching, push-in vs. pull-out models, and maximizing instructional time while meeting IEP service minutes.
Educators will learn practical tools and strategies for creating schedules that prioritize student needs, support staff collaboration, and foster a culture of inclusion.
10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.
Dyslexia and the IEP
Presenter: Sandra Doggett APSRC
This presentation covers how and when dyslexia can be documented in the IEP, including key components adn implementation strategies to support student learning.
12:50 P.M. - 1:50 P.M.
Arkansas ESOL Support and Resources
Presenters: Carrie Acrey Maria Touchstone
In this session, we will explore the existing digital resources from the State Office of English for Speakers of Other Languages, including the DESE English Learner Website, State ESOL Guide, the Supporting Evidence Rubric, Language Instruction Education Program Codes, Arkansas ESOL Support Programs & Wrap-Around Services Google Sheet, etc.
Ready to Register?
Day 2 builds on the momentum of the retreat with sessions designed to support special populations through inclusive practices, trauma-informed approaches, behavior interventions, and more. We encourage you to register now for the sessions that best match your needs so you can stay informed and make the most of this learning experience.
While we hope you'll join us live, we understand that summer schedules can be unpredictable. All registered participants will receive access to session recordings and materials after the event—but you must register in advance to receive them.
Looking ahead? View the full retreat schedule—including session topics for Day 3—by visiting the Summer Retreat webpage. There, you can explore daily themes and register for sessions directly through Discere.
