Academic Support Conference | History

2025

Sheraton Charlotte – Charlotte, NC
Attendees: 295
Photos

Keynotes:

  • Dr. Emily King, The Impact of Anxiety on Neurodivergent Students
  • Dr. Shelley Moore, The Evolution of Inclusion

Breakouts:

  • Heidi Tringali and Heather Wynkoop, Strategies for Movement-Based Learning
  • Lane Abrams and David Johnstone, Redefining Lower School Intervention to Reach Inclusion
  • Dr. Emily King, Effective Collaboration With Parents of Neurodivergent Students
  • Dr. Jenna Taylor, Supporting Mental Health and Student Wellness
  • Dr. Carrie Willmore, Rethinking Homework in Middle-Grade Education
  • Dr. Erica Carswell and Katie Walker, Supporting Self-Advocacy, Self-Efficacy & Student Agency
  • Marra Smith, Increasing Collaboration & Communication
  • Dr. Scott Hamilton, What IS Working Memory, Really?
  • Luciana De Benedictis and Eileen Pinero Rodriguez, Play Skills as a Foundation for Executive Functioning
  • Dr. Heather Ramsey, Empowering Every Student Through Assistive Technology
  • Kathleen Bukowski and Sophie Daniels, Team-Based Approach to Decision Making and Accommodations
  • Shaylyn Carey and Lee Yonika, Programs to Build Your Universal Design Learning Practice
  • Roundtables: Psych Ed Testing, College Board & ACT Accommodations, Math Support, Tools Talk
  • Jill Gough and Mary Jacob Harris, Using Data to Strengthen Reading Independence and Understanding
  • Dr. Shelley Moore, Collaborative Classroom Support Models for Inclusive Classrooms
  • MaryBeth Spencer, Strategies for Non-ELA Teachers to Teach Reading Comprehension
  • Dr. Diane Milner and Sara Quesinberry, Reimaging Academic Support in Math
  • Jessica Kulp, Auditing Classes for Real-World Readiness
  • Meg Goddard, Partnering With Families for EF Support
  • Taylor Knight, Determining Authentic Evidence of Learning
  • Porter Burgess and Maggie Simms, Putting the Fun in Executive Functioning

Exhibitors:

2024

Emory Conference Center Hotel – Atlanta, GA
Attendees: 341
Photos

Keynotes:

  • Allison Posey, Reaching & Engaging Neurodiverse Learners
  • Josh Clark, The Intersection of AI & LD

Breakouts:

  • Allison Posey, Design to Engage
  • Jessica Kulp, Designing an Accessible Academic Coaching Program
  • Katy Goldsmith & Erin McNicholas, Partnering for the Inclusion of Neurodiverse Students
  • Page Poston Sullivan, Learning Plans That Work for All
  • Rachael Barron, Building Executive Functioning Skills in the Study Skills Classroom
  • Grace Wingfield, Attendance, Wellness, & Academic Performance
  • Andrea Adams & Donna Barger, Effective Progress Monitoring & Communication
  • Janine Couch & Elizabeth Sheward, Increase Student Access & Motivation: A UDL Guide
  • Tamara Hamilton, Motivating & Engaging Students in Executive Function Work
  • Barbara Beachley & Mike Gwaltney, AI: What Does It Mean for Education & How Do We Use It?
  • Kara Loftin, Building Reading Comprehension Through Targeted Vocabulary Instruction
  • Hagen Carmichael & Maggie Simms, Bridging Support Through Middle & Upper School Programs
  • Scott Hamilton, Supporting Students With Processing Speed Difficulties
  • Barbara Beachley & Mike Gwaltney, Transforming Student Assessment: Determining Authentic Evidence of Learning
  • Lane Abrams, Supporting Students With Learning Differences in the Transition to College
  • Keri Knisley, Supporting Self-Advocacy in Students by Differentiating Instruction
  • Rich Weinfeld, Special Education: What Independent Schools Need to Know
  • Josh Clark, AI’s Transformative Power for Students With Learning Differences
  • Adam Rothschild, Fostering Metacognition in Middle & Upper School

Sponsor: ISM

Exhibitors:

2023

Franklin Marriott Cool Springs – Franklin, TN
Attendees: 345
Photos

Keynotes:

  • Peggy Campbell-Rush: Helping All Learners Soar
  • Kimberly Carraway: Practical Strategies for Struggling Students Based on Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Michael Greschler: Executive Function & Cognitive Flexibility: Strategies for Success

Breakouts:

  • Peggy Campbell-Rush: Executive Functioning With Young Children
  • Jenn Hooever & Susan Huennekens: Multisensory Learning: An All-Inclusive Approach
  • Connie White: Empowering Upper School Students Through Assistive Technology
  • Brandon Boston & Tanya Lynch: Embracing Neurodiversity
  • Kimberly Carraway: Helping Students Who Struggle With Math
  • Barbara Beachley: Practical Strategies for Structuring Engaging, Student-Centered Lessons
  • Jared Clodfelter: Developing Executive Function Skills in Middle & Upper School Students
  • Nancy Weinstein & Carolina Williams: Great Minds Don’t Think Alike!
  • Michael Greschler: Executive Function Strategies for Reading & Writing
  • Cathy Davis, Jennifer Gunn, & Hollie Marjanovic: Student-Staffed Writing & Math Labs
  • Grace Benedict, Samantha Rose, & Christy Sutton: Academic Support For All: An MTSS Framework
  • Anna Claire McKay & Connie Fink: Leveling the Learning Field With Mind Brain Education Science
  • Regan Humphrey: Supporting Executive Functioning Skills in the Classroom
  • Debra Wilson: Legal Considerations for Academic Support
  • Julie Oliver: IMPACT Math: Differentiating Middle School Math
  • Tricia Anderson & Jennifer Deslich: Creating Partnerships to Provide OT to Students

Sponsor: ISM

Exhibitors:

2022

Sheraton Charlotte  – Charlotte, NC
Attendees: 171
Photos

Keynotes:

  • Jessica Minahan: Practical Strategies to Reduce Anxiety & Challenging Behavior
  • Marydee Sklar: The Missing Link for Student Success: Executive Functions

Breakouts:

  • Jessica Minahan: Increasing Student Engagement & Reducing Oppositional Behavior
  • Scott Hamilton: Uncovering Dyscalculia & Math Learning Disorders & A Deeper Understanding of Pyschoeducational Assessment Reports
  • Laura Portwood & Robin Talamo: Providing Parent Education With a Partnership Perspective
  • Mike Frawley: Empowering Students With Assistive Technology
  • Mike Gwaltney: Authentic Assessment for the Learners We Have
  • Carolyn Kruk & Kristin McMurrer: Strategies for Applying Executive Function Skills Across the Curriculum

Sponsor: ISM

Exhibitors:

2021

Virtual
Attendees: 279

Keynotes:

  • Jonathan Mooney: Normal Sucks
  • Suzanne Billips & Kathy Gillespie: Raising the Bar

Breakouts:

  • Andrew Ayers & Amelia Glauber: Executive Functioning and Anxiety
  • Lee-Ann Mertzlufft: Everyday Technology for Students With Dyslexia and Dysgraphia
  • Victoria Brickenden & Scott Goode: Take This Down: Supporting Students Who Struggle With Taking Notes
  • Megan Mann & Kimbrell Teegarden: Sailing Rough Seas: Helping Dyslexic Elementary School Students Navigate and Prevent Anxiety & Stress
  • Glynis Hill-Chandler & Laura Tierney: The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning for Students: Partnering With The Social Institute to Provide SEL Programming for Schools and Families
  • Debra Wilson: Legal Issues in Academic Support

2020

Crowne Plaza Ravinia  – Atlanta, GA
Attendees: 247
Photos + WC Photos

Keynotes:

  • Josh Clark: Think Differently About Dyslexia
  • Debra Wilson: Legal Issues Impacting Academic Support in Independent Schools
  • Erika Letsinger & Susan Lancaster: Get a Move On
  • Marcus Soutra: Unlocking Greatness: Empowering Students Who Learn Differently

Breakouts:

  • Josh Clark: Be True to Your School
  • Margaret Gunter, Allyson Campbell, & Laura Fillyaw: Using Technology to Differentiate
  • Tara Terry & Tom Pittard: Your Brain on Math: It All Adds Up
  • Kathleen Bukowski & Scott Hamilton: Renewable Synergy: Effective Independent School-Community Provider Partnerships
  • Lane Abrams: The Impact of Learning Difference s on Executive Functioning
  • Connie White: Technology Tools for Students With Learning Differences
  • Fran Linley & Dina Stevenson: Learning for ALL Learners: Best Practices for Specialists, Teachers, and Students
  • Miranda Forman: Beyond the Graphic Organizer: Writing Strategies and Technology
  • Lyle Davis: Navigating the Sea of Learning Disabilities Without Watering Down the Curriculum

Exhibitors:

2019

Franklin Marriott Cool Springs  – Franklin, TN
Attendees: 241
Photos + WC Photos

Sessions:

  • Jeffrey Mitchell: Now That You Have More Students With Learning Differences in Your School…
  • Laurie Cutting: Cognitive and Neurobiological Processes in Reading Development: The Science Behind Reading Disabilities
  • Tim Odegard: Unraveling the Puzzle of Dyslexia
  • Jackie Klaver: Neuropsychology of Concussion: From Bump Back to School
  • Scott Hamilton: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Psychoeducational Assessments
  • Kimberly Carraway: Putting It Into Practice: Practical Teaching Strategies

Exhibitor: Revolution Prep