Explore Day 3 of the 2026 Summer Learning Retreat!
The 2026 Summer Retreat wraps up on Thursday, June 11th, with a full day of engaging, virtual professional learning sessions centered around the theme: Strengthening Access for ALL Learners. Explore thirteen sessions focused on data analysis and reporting, instructional planning and alignment, effective teaching practices, classroom assessment tools, standards-based instruction across content areas, and strategies to strengthen outcomes for all students, presented by experts from APSRC and DESE.
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 3 – Thursday, June 11th, under the theme: Strengthening Access for ALL Learners.
See What’s in Store for Day 3 of the 2026 Retreat!
Quick Tips for Positive Behavior
Presenter: Kelly Davis, BSS
Time: 8:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.
This engaging 90-minute presentation will empower educators with six Tier 1 strategies that promote positive behaviors in the classroom, along with time to reflect on their own classroom practices. Tier 1 behavior supports include routines, expectations, reward systems and proactive strategies that are part of everyday classroom life. This session is designed to strengthen what’s already working in your classroom and then add some new ideas to your toolkit! Let’s expand together on what works for supporting positive behavior with these quick tips!
Dyslexia Updates
Presenters: Vicki King, DESE
Time: 8:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.
Stay current on dyslexia updates and explore practical guidance for implementing dyslexia services. This 90‑minute virtual session will address common challenges, clarify expectations, and support educators in making informed decisions to better serve students with dyslexia statewide.
The Right People, The Right Table, The Right Plan: Strengthening the IEP Team
Presenters: Julie Amstutz, OCSS
Time: 8:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.
This session will explore the importance of ensuring the right members of the IEP team are present at the table to design meaningful and effective programming for students with disabilities. Participants will consider how each team member contributes to the decision-making process, with special attention to the valuable expertise that general education teachers, related service providers—including occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists—bring to developing strong and comprehensive IEPs.
Specifically Designed Instruction
Presenter: Brooke Crosby, Special Education High School Teacher at Lake Hamilton
Time: 10:15 A.M. - 11:45 A.M.
Specially designed instruction (SDI) and the implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) are essential for ensuring all students have meaningful access to general education content and settings. This professional development session will equip educators with practical strategies to differentiate instruction, remove barriers to learning, and proactively design lessons that meet diverse learner needs. Participants will explore how to align SDI with UDL principles—offering multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression—so that students of varying abilities can actively participate and succeed in inclusive classroom environments. Through real-world examples and collaborative planning, teachers will leave with tools to create flexible, accessible learning experiences that support equity and high expectations for all learners.
Hey! Superhero Educator...Does Your Cape Ever Get Wrinkled?
Presenter: Julie Amstutz, OCSS
Time: 10:15 A.M. - 11:45 A.M.
Even superheroes have days when their capes feel a little wrinkled. This session is designed for educators who are feeling stretched, stressed, or simply in need of a reset. Come reconnect with your purpose, share in a supportive space, and walk away with practical ways to smooth out the wrinkles and keep making a powerful impact—because your work truly changes lives.
Do you have SWAG? (Students With A Growth Mindset) - GT Practices
Presenter: Sally Stuart, APSRC
Time: 10:15 A.M. - 11:45 A.M.
Do you have students with a growth mindset? If we, as teachers, can develop the growth mindset, we are better able to instill this in our students and make it the culture in our classroom environment. In this professional development, we will address strategies to promote a growth mindset for ourselves, as well as for our students who may carry it home to their parents.
168,894 Ways for Students to Access Their World
Presenter: Evan Beavers, DESE
Time: 12:30 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Join us for a practical, engaging training designed to make learning more accessible for every K–12 student. This session explores easy-to-apply accessibility strategies that support diverse learners and strengthen everyday instruction.
Scaffolding for Success while using ALD: Supporting ESOL Learners in the General Education Classroom
Presenter: Sherry Washington, APSRC
Time: 12:30 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
You’ll be introduced to three powerful, student-friendly tools. Read&Write supports reading, writing, and comprehension across content areas. Equatio helps make math more accessible by allowing students to create, hear, and visualize equations. uPar (Universal Protocol for Accommodations in Reading) helps educators better understand student needs and connect them to the right tools and supports.
Special Education Fiscal Data Points to Drive District Decision Making
Presenter: Josh Hart, DESE
Time: 12:30 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Whether you’re new to these tools or looking to build on what you already use, you’ll leave with practical ideas you can use right away to boost student independence, confidence, and success in the classroom.
Transition & Summary Performances
Presenter: Jeremy Hogue, DESE
Time: 2:15 P.M. - 3:45 P.M.
This session is designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of Indicator 13 requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), with a specific focus on compliant transition plan development and effective transition planning for students with disabilities.
The session will also emphasize the development and use of the Summary of Performance (SOP) as a critical tool to support students with disabilities as they exit secondary school.
Act 565
Presenter: Rick Porter, DESE
Time: 2:15 P.M. - 3:45 P.M.
This session will discuss trends in the Dispute Resolution section of the Office of Special Education through state complaints and due process hearings, and we will discuss the requirements of Act 565 for students with disabilities.
Practical ESOL Resources for Every Classroom
Presenter: Carrie Acrey, EXALT, Dr. Kuettle, SCCSD
Time: 2:15 P.M. - 3:45 P.M.
Join our ESOL Specialist Sherry Washington and Carrie Acrey, Director of ESOL Exalt Academy as they focus on providing resources to support ESOL students in any classroom setting. These resources will help strengthen language development while engaging the learner in all subjects. You will leave with strategies you can implement right away to better support your students.
Ready to explore the full retreat lineup and reserve your spot?
Day 3 brings the Summer Retreat to a strong finish. We encourage you to register now for the sessions you’re interested in so you can stay up to date with the latest information about the Summer Retreat and the sessions you plan to attend.
While we hope you'll join us live, we understand summer schedules can be busy. We’re planning to provide all registered participants with access to session recordings and materials following the event—but you must register in advance to receive them.
Looking ahead? View the full retreat schedule, including sessions for Days 1 & 2, by visiting the Summer Retreat website. There you can explore this year’s lineup of 25+ sessions, review key retreat details, hear from past attendees, and register to reserve your spot.
About the Summer Retreat
The Summer Professional Learning Retreat is an annual virtual event series hosted by APSRC, designed to help educators build skills and explore new strategies. The retreat spans three days and offers a variety of sessions, allowing participants to choose those that best align with their interests and professional goals. Whether you’re looking to build on existing skills or explore new strategies, this retreat has something for everyone.
Each session qualifies for PD credit at no cost, and is hosted through Discere, our learning management system—no Zoom links required! And here’s the best part: you don’t have to attend live to benefit. If you're traveling or have other commitments, you can still take advantage of everything the retreat has to offer. All registered participants will receive full access to session recordings, materials, and resources after the event, so you can engage with the content at a time that works best for you.
Last year, the 2025 Summer Retreat marked new highs for registration and attendance, welcoming more than 400 virtual attendees and generating 2,740 session registrations across 26 offerings. We hope to reach even more this year!
