Supporting Early Literacy for Early Childhood Students with Significant Needs

Description: We welcome you to join us for a two-part series focused on supporting young students with significant needs in accessing, engaging, and participating in early literacy activities.

Session 1–January 10th, 2024 3:30-4:30pm
Using Early Literacy as a Vehicle to Meeting IEP Goals for Students with Significant Needs

Join us for this interactive session to expand our thinking around how to connect early literacy standards to your student's IEP goals. Participants should come with a particular student in mind.

Session 2–February 21st 3:30-4:30pm
Exploring Assistive Technology Tools to Support Students with the Most Significant Needs in Accessing Early Literacy Activities

As an Early Childhood Special Education teacher, are you searching for engaging ways to provide all of your students access and participation in making progress in early literacy skills? We are excited to be teaming up with members of the Assistive Technology (AT) Forward team as we deep dive into exploring a variety of assistive technology tools for students with the most significant disabilities.

Cost: Free

Presenters: Nicole Aldworth, Stacy Duffy, and Kathy White

About the Presenters:

Nicole Aldworth is the Statewide Early Literacy Coordinator for the Early Learning Technical Assistance and Implementation Grant. She is also an Early Learning Consultant at CESA2. She has over 20 years of experience working with young children and their families as well as supporting educators to increase their capacity and instructional practices. Nicole spent most of her career teaching Early Childhood Special Education, 4K, and 5K. She holds degrees in the field of early childhood education and special education. Providing rich, engaging, and meaningful learning opportunities in a developmentally appropriate manner for all children is a passion of hers, along with coaching and support of those working with young children.

Stacy Duffy, the CESA 2 Transition and Identification Specialist, is an accomplished special education teacher and transition coordinator with a Master’s Degree in Education. She joined CESA 2 with an extensive background in special education and transition planning with an emphasis on inclusive education and improving postsecondary outcomes for students with IEPs. Since joining CESA 2, Stacy provides consulting services to school districts, facilitates the CESA 2 Transition Advisory and Assistive Technology (AT) Networks, and leads the Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and Verbal Intervention (VI) trainings. In addition, she is the Director of the Wisconsin Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Center and co-manages the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's AT Forward Project.

Kathy White, the CESA 2 Co-Chair of the AT Forward Project, has an extensive background in special education with an emphasis in Assistive Technology. She is co-manager of the Wisconsin Assistive Technology (AT) Forward Project and a former teacher/assistive technology specialist. Kathy has over 35 years of experience in teaching, evaluation in assistive technology and teaching at various higher educational institutes.  In her role at CESA 2, Kathy provides support and services to school districts in the areas of Assistive Technology.

Cancellation Policy: Registered participants will receive a refund if they cancel prior to 3 working days before an event, minus any material costs that have already been incurred. Cancellations must either be made on MyQuickReg or by emailing cancel@cesa2.org. Because of our commitment to the presenter and the food vendor, participants who cancel less than 3 working days prior to the event or who do not attend the event, will be billed the full fee. CESA 2 reserves the right to cancel any event. Registered participants will be notified via phone and email if a cancellation occurs and will receive a full refund. 

Inclement Weather Policy: Every effort will be made to hold an event. CESA 2 will notify participants via email as soon as possible if an event has been cancelled due to weather conditions.

Disclaimer: CESA 2 will do its best to accommodate general dietary requests; if your dietary need is very specific or severe, you may want to bring your own lunch to ensure your comfort and health. CESA 2 does not assume liability for adverse reactions to food consumed or items one may come into contact with while eating at a CESA 2 event. If you have a dietary need or food allergy, please go into your MyQuickReg profile and update the special accommodations section. Notice of a special dietary need must be made 2 weeks in advance of the event.

By registering for an event with CESA 2, participants agree to grant to CESA 2 and its authorized representatives permission to record digital photos and/or video, of their participation. Participants further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote CESA 2, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation. If you do not wish to have your photo or image used, please contact us at info@cesa2.org.

In-Person Events: Restrictions on our in-person events due to COVID-19 have been lifted. We will be responsive to what's happening within our communities, and guidelines from the CDC and local health agencies for future offerings and will update guidelines when necessary.