2023-24 Special Topic Training Series
Free, virtual, open to all
The Oregon Response to Instruction and Intervention team works hard to be responsive to the needs of our district partners across the state. As we gather feedback throughout the course of each school year, there are often common themes that arise around specific school or classroom level needs.
As part of our Statewide Supports, we will work with practitioners in the field to provide training content based on these themes, via virtual or pre recorded sessions. Below are the Special Topic training sessions for the 2023-24 school year.
AEM for Inclusion: Consideration & Documentation of AEM in the IEP
April 11th, live, recorded
Debra Fitzgibbons, Coordinator OTAP/RSOI
Meghan Nilsen, Special Education Coordinator
Live Session
April 11th, 2024 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (PST)
There are four main activities involved in IEP team consideration of a student’s need for AEM, Accessible Educational Materials.
1.) Determine the student’s need for AEM
2.) Select the accessible format(s) the student needs
3.) Plan to acquire the materials
4.) Determine services and support that the student will need.
In this webinar, we will use the Oregon Standard IEP form to identify the ways that team decisions can be recorded in meaningful ways so that everyone on a student’s educational team understands the plan for AEM.
Debra Fitzgibbons, Coordinator OTAP/RSOI
Debra Fitzgibbons is the Coordinator for Oregon Technology Access Program (OTAP) and Regional and Statewide Services for Students with Orthopedic Impairments(RSOI). Deb carries a Master’s in Assistive Technology and more than twenty years’ experience in providing AT and AEM supports to students in K-12 and higher ed. She supports students and teams across Oregon in the selection, acquisition and integration of AT and Accessible Educational Materials, AEM across the lifespan. Deb leads the Oregon AEM Cohort in partnership with the National AEM Center to develop a statewide system for provision of AEM to all learners.
Meghan Nilsen, Special Education Coordinator
Meghan Nilsen has been working in special education for Baker 5J school district since 2012 and has served as Special Education Coordinator for the past five years. Before her time in Oregon, Meghan taught special education in the suburbs of Chicago since 2008. In her current role, she works closely with teachers and students to ensure that all learners receive the appropriate tools and accommodations necessary for academic success. Meghan has worked with the Oregon Technology Access Program (OTAP) team and the Accessible Education Materials (AEM) Cohort Grant since 2019.
Considerations for IEP Literacy Goals in a Response to Intervention System
April 11th, recorded
Sharyn Hoffert, ORTIi Implementation Coach
Malory Turner, Special Education Professional Learning Coach, Traumatic Brain Injury Liaison
Recorded Session
April 11th, 2024
Learn how to collaboratively support reflective and responsive practices in the development and implementation of K-5 Individual Education Program IEP literacy goals that positively impact students across all tiers of instruction.
This session will be prerecorded and made available on the ORTIi website. Register above to receive email updates as session recordings and materials become available.
Malory Turner is the Special Education Professional Learning Coach, Traumatic Brain Injury Liaison, and Regional Technical Assistance Provider at Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD). Malory holds a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education. In her current role, she supports special educators, specialists, and directors by providing professional learning opportunities and technical assistance related to their roles.
Sharyn Hoffert is a Professional Learning Coach for ORTIi at Northwest Regional ESD after working as a K-5 classroom teacher for over 25 years. She provides technical assistance to Oregon school districts implementing Response to Intervention systems to provide targeted, evidence based effective instruction to meet the literacy needs of all students. She is the proud mama of a son with dyslexia which gives her a personal reason to be a passionate advocate working diligently to equip and empower educators with the tools and the resources they need to ensure our students become engaged literate citizens.
Meaningful Inclusion of All Learners in an MTSS Framework:
It Begins with Access
February 15th, live, recorded
Debra Fitzgibbons, Coordinator OTAP/RSOI
Live Session
February 15th, 2024 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (PST)
Inclusion of all learners begins by providing universal access to curriculum in all environments. Timely provision of AEM, Accessible Educational Materials ensures learners with disabilities can get the same information, engage in meaningful participation, and enjoy the same services as non-disabled students, with the same ease of use. Discover how accessible content enhances learning for all students and provides options for learners who “read” in non-traditional ways.
This session will:
Establish Common Vocabulary
Connect the Dots: Share scenarios and examples of Accessible Technologies and Accessible Educational Materials in a variety of environments.
Share tools available through the OTAP short-term loan library, including tools for access, executive functioning and communication.
This session will be recorded and be made available on the ORTIi website.
Debra Fitzgibbons, Coordinator OTAP/RSOI
Debra Fitzgibbons is the Coordinator for Oregon Technology Access Program (OTAP) and Regional and Statewide Services for Students with Orthopedic Impairments(RSOI). Deb carries a Master’s in Assistive Technology and more than twenty years’ experience in providing AT and AEM supports to students in K-12 and higher ed. She supports students and teams across Oregon in the selection, acquisition and integration of AT and Accessible Educational Materials, AEM across the lifespan. Deb leads the Oregon AEM Cohort in partnership with the National AEM Center to develop a statewide system for provision of AEM to all learners.