“This is Ah. maz. ing!”

Looking for the most fabulous professional development on diversity, equity, and inclusion? PD that is ready NOW! Ready for you and everyone in your district?

We've been working hard to make sure you have professional development “ready, set, done” for the year. And for a fraction of the price you'd pay to fly in one expert for one talk.

✔️ What if you could have a library of PD resources that you could access anytime, anywhere?

✔️ What if you could get immediate access to presentations from inclusive experts, without having to pay their travel fees or coordinate schedules?

That's exactly what we've created.

You'll get PD that fits in with your schedule. You can queue up the videos when it works for you. Plus, audio downloads are available for most presentations so you can listen on the go.

We've made PD easy for you.

With the presentations…you get easy-to-digest notes on what people will learn as a result of watching the content, plus good reflection questions if you're leading discussions. (No prep necessary.)

All your PD for the year in one place.

But we also realize that it can be incredibly daunting to know when and how to implement it. We have training specifically to help you use this PD to your best advantage.

Your PD is covered:
• Behavior
• COVID-19
• Inclusion
• Paraprofessionals
• Pre-K
• Race & Equity
• Plus Self-Advocate Stories to help inspire your team when teaching disability history or self-advocacy or early childhood- so they can hear directly from people living that life, not people who are speaking for them.

Stories. Connection. Meaning.

This is what makes learning happen, and this is what we've included here so your team will be inspired, motivated, and energized to tackle this school year and all that follow.

Want to know what's inside? Here's a Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peek:

Choose Your License:

Single Seat

Personal License

$197

Missed us live? No problem! Get unlimited access to the 2020 Summer Leadership Institute content (live sessions, on-demand session, and bonus sessions) for your ongoing personal development and learning.

Group License

Up to 20 Participants

$2749

Teaching a college course or leading a professional learning community? Get unlimited access to the library for 15 or more people. You'll be prompted to submit a list of names and emails so everyone has their own access.

District License

PD for your entire district

$7000

Don't want to limit who has access? Want existing staff AND new hires to have access? Get full library for everyone with this district license. Unlimited and lifetime access. Email kristie@kristiepf.com with questions.

Meet All The Presenters

Be inspired by international industry leaders and advocates.

Your Host Dr. Julie Causton

CEO, Inclusive Schooling

Bio

Dr. Julie Causton is a passionate expert, author, and teacher in the area of inclusive and special education. As a Syracuse University professor, elementary, middle and high school teacher herself, Julie has experienced firsthand the positive outcomes of inclusion. This work lead her to found Inclusive Schooling. As the CEO of Inclusive Schooling, Julie, offers interactive large group presentations, motivational online courses, hands-on workshops, and more to administrators, educators and parents interested in inclusive school reform, inclusive teacher training, collaboration, humanistic behavioral supports, lesson planning, and providing invisible adult supports. Julie believes that disability is simply a form of diversity and helps schools to create strength based inclusive systems where every individual can reach their full academic and social potential. As a prominent educational researcher, Causton has published over 30 articles in academic journals and has written six books for school teams about the most innovative theories and practices in inclusive education. These books and articles are utilized across the country to teach and support pre-service and in-service educators and administrators. With her newest title, The Too Much Unicorn, Julie hopes to continue to empower children directly to joyfully, stylishly, and confidently embrace their own beauty. Julie lives in New York with her wife and two awesome kids.

Larry Bissonnette

Disability Rights Advocate

Bio

Larry Bissonnette is a disability rights advocate and artist who lives in Williston, Vermont. He has been painting and drawing since he was a young child and exhibits his art regularly both locally and nationally. Over the past 20 years, he has been a featured presenter at many national educational conferences and has written and spoken on the topics of autism, communication and art. He is both the subject and writer of a film about his art and life, called, “My Classic Life as an Artist: A Portrait of Larry Bissonnette” (2005) and starred in the documentary “Wretches and Jabberers” (2010) He also is a contributing author to “Communication Alternatives in Autism: Perspectives on Typing and Spelling for the Nonspeaking” (2019), a book edited by California Lutheran University professor, Dr. Edlyn Pena.Dr. Julie Causton is a passionate expert, author, and teacher in the area of inclusive and special education. As a Syracuse University professor, elementary, middle and high school teacher herself, Julie has experienced firsthand the positive outcomes of inclusion. This work lead her to found Inclusive Schooling. As the CEO of Inclusive Schooling, Julie, offers interactive large group presentations, motivational online courses, hands-on workshops, and more to administrators, educators and parents interested in inclusive school reform, inclusive teacher training, collaboration, humanistic behavioral supports, lesson planning, and providing invisible adult supports. Julie believes that disability is simply a form of diversity and helps schools to create strength based inclusive systems where every individual can reach their full academic and social potential. As a prominent educational researcher, Causton has published over 30 articles in academic journals and has written six books for school teams about the most innovative theories and practices in inclusive education. These books and articles are utilized across the country to teach and support pre-service and in-service educators and administrators. With her newest title, The Too Much Unicorn, Julie hopes to continue to empower children directly to joyfully, stylishly, and confidently embrace their own beauty. Julie lives in New York with her wife and two awesome kids.

Pascal Cheng

Education & Communication Specialist

Bio

Pascal Cheng has a M. Ed. and C.A.S. in Special Education from the University of Vermont and has worked for over 30 years with children and adults with developmental disabilities in school and community settings. He currently is an educational and communication specialist for Howard Center Developmental Services in Burlington, Vermont, providing training and consultation in the areas of communication, assistive technology and literacy for children and adults. He serves as a member of the Vermont Communication Task Force, a group that works to improve communication supports and services for individuals with developmental disabilities in the state of Vermont.

Patrice Fenton

Founder of The Fenton Collective

Bio

Patrice E. Fenton serves as both Founder of The Fenton Collective and a Partner at Pink Cornrows. A leader in identity-responsive research, Dr. Fenton is an equity-centered change strategist, with a passion for leadership development, teacher education, and centering wellness in the workplace. She advises partners on solutions that are human-centric, holistic and measurable, with an expertise in evaluating impact for Black and Brown communities. Dr. Fenton is the former Director of Leader Support and Development at EdLoC, a nonprofit professional network organization comprised of 350+ leaders of color across 30+ states. She is also the former Associate Director of NYC Men Teach at the City University of New York — a cross-agency mission that exceeded the city’s goal of recruiting 1,000 men of color to the public school teacher pipeline within 3 years. She is currently an adjunct assistant professor of special education at Hunter College, and a Board member of South Bronx Community Charter High School, the Latinx Education Collaborative and Disruptive Partners. Dr. Fenton is also a proud Brooklyn, NY native, a former middle school special educator and mom to son, Jair Asad, and daughter, Haile Masani.

Tony Ferraiolo

Life Coach and Trainer

Bio

Tony Ferraiolo is known as a compassionate and empowering Life Coach and a motivating and thought-provoking trainer. Since 2005 Tony has provided trainings to over 25,000 people around the country. Tony has dedicated himself to both promoting competent and respectful health care for the transgender community, by educating providers, and advocating on behalf of patients. Also, training educators on providing a safe and respectful space for transgender children in a school environment. He encompasses a unique ability to make light of a sometimes-challenging situation which puts his audience at ease to fully participate in his trainings and leaves his audience with a greater awareness of how to move forward in supporting their patients, staff, co-workers, students, and children.

In 2008 Tony started several support groups to support transgender youth and their families, the groups meet concurrently, providing a complete support system for these families, drawing families from New York and throughout New England. Since 2008 these groups have served over 950 families.

In 2009 he recognized the need to provide chest binders to members of his community who needed them but had no ability to access them. Since 2009, Tony has given over 300 binders to transgender people all over the world.

Tony is the subject of the award-winning documentary “A Self-Made Man” and the Author of the book series “Artistic Expressions of Transgender Youth”. He also hosted the A&E miniseries Transitioning, were he coached three transgender young adults through social transition.

In 2019 he received his teaching certification in Mindfulness and incorporates mindfulness in all of his trainings.

Tony is also the Co-Founder of the Jim Collins Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to transgender people for gender-confirming surgeries.

Micah Fialka-Feldman

Student, National Speaker, Pioneer

Bio

Micah Fialka-Feldman is a self-advocate, teaching assistant, outreach coordinator, national speaker, and pioneer who fights for disability-pride, justice, and inclusion. He is part of the first wave of adults with intellectual disabilities who have attended college and has been fully included in school and community. Micah’s disability advocacy has a foundation in the creation of the “Beloved Community” and the notion that “A community that excludes even one of its members is not a community at all.”

Micah earned a certificate in Disability Studies from the Syracuse University School of Education in 2015. Micah currently lives in Syracuse N.Y. where he co-teaches classes in inclusive education and disability studies. He is an outreach coordinator at the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education. In May of 2014, Micah was appointed by President Obama to President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. He is featured in the upcoming documentary by Dan Habib, Intelligent Lives.

Tanya Fredrich

Director of Special Education

Bio

Tanya Fredrich is the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services in the School District of Elmbrook located in Brookfield, WI. The School District of Elmbrook serves the communities of Elm Grove, Brookfield and a small portion of New Berlin. The district has nine schools serving approximately 7,200 students. Tanya is a graduate of UW Madison School of Education and holds a Masters degree in Special Education and Administrative Leadership. She was awarded her Ph.D. in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service December, 2014. Tanya has worked as a special educator with expertise in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders and Educational Autism as well as a building principal prior to her current director role. She is an adjunct lecturer at Carroll University, Cardinal Stritch University and University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Tanya lives in Oconomowoc, WI with her husband Tom and two children, Zachary and William.

Isela Garcia

Early Childhood Consultant

Bio

Dr. Isela Garcia. An inspirational and energetic speaker, trainer and consultant. Her 25+ years of experience has taught her the value of laughter, purposeful connections, and the art of listening intently. She is incredibly passionate and continually seeks to create innovative approaches to training and education. Love is the core of her philosophical foundation–belief in the goodness in all people.

Stephen Hinkle

Speaker and Self Advocate

Bio

Stephen Hinkle, a well respected international speaker and self advocate, has been presenting and speaking for over 16 years. He has inspired audiences, successfully advocated for inclusive education and better outcomes for people with special needs, and assisted others on how to help people with disabilities. Stephen has spoken at many conferences and events in 24 US States, plus Australia.

Keith Jones

President and CEO

Bio

Keith Jones is the President and CEO of SoulTouchin’ Experiences. An organization aimed at bringing a perspective to the issues of access inclusion and empowerment, which affect him as well as others who are persons with a disability. Mr. Jones is also extremely active in multicultural, cross-disability education and outreach efforts and, conducts trainings (including train the trainer) with the purpose of strengthening efforts to “provide services and information to people with disabilities. While at the same time Mr. Jones continues his artistic endeavors. Most recently releasing ‘Vocal Tai Chi vol. 1’, an homage to the hip hop. Also, along with Mr. Leroy Moore the two men co-founded Krip Hop Nation an international collective of artist with disabilities which is currently celebrating its 10th year anniversary. The tag line of Krip Hop Nation is, “Its more than music,..’ As a solo artist Mr. Jones is also celebrating 40 years of being in hip hop with a continued mixing of beats lyrics and activism.
As in advocate so as in hip hop Mr. Jones under the pseudonym ‘Da Soul Toucha’, believes everything has a soul.

Ijumaa Jordan

Early Childhood Consultant

Bio

Ijumaa Jordan. An early education consultant with a focus on reflective practice, culturally relevant teaching, and developing anti-bias curriculum for young children and adults. Ijumaa works with teachers and administrators to facilitate professional development in a “community of practice” model that promotes reflective teaching practices and leadership. She has more than twenty years of teaching in early education and directing. She brings her skills and experiences as a teacher, leader, and mentor, and a strong belief in the value of a play-based and emergent curriculum to my keynote presentations and workshops.

Kathy Kramer

Educational Consultant & Coach

Bio

Kathy Kramer is a multifaceted educator whose career spans from academic instruction to business and leadership coaching. For more than 25 years, Kathy has honed her craft with roles ranging from teacher, corporate trainer, curriculum development consultant, and professor of aspiring and practicing educators. Kathy brings a passion for advocacy to her work and aims to build environments focused on inclusivity, equity and creativity. She holds an EdD in Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction and is currently the Director of Graduate Studies in Education at Carroll University. Her passion for professional empowerment led her to obtain an advanced coaching certificate in 2019 with Co-Active Training Institute. She works closely with and coaches educational professionals who are transforming and leading systems of equity and inclusion.

Otto Lana

Self-Advocate

Bio

Otto Lana: At fifteen years of age and a sophomore in high school at Compass Academy in San Diego, California, I seem like any other student. So why was I invited to present at the 2020 Summer Leadership Institute? What makes me special? Some would say it is because I was diagnosed with Autism and Apraxia. But I disagree, there are a multitude of us. Look around, we are everywhere. Anyone you meet either has Autism or knows someone with Autism. I believe I am included in the list of presenters because I am charismatic, good looking, well spoken, and just happen to have the good fortune to be autistic too.

Autism and Apraxia prevent me from speaking words with my mouth. This inability to verbalize my thoughts obviously does not indicate that I do not posses verbal skills. It simply means I do not have expressive language in the traditional sense. Before I found my voice through typing I was diagnosed with an intellectual disability as well.

Now that I type the tables have turned. People address me with normal volume and cadence. They are with ones who now wait for what I have to say. The difference is, I am worth the wait.

Kate MacLeod

Assistant Professor, University of Maine

Bio

Kate MacLeod is founder and consultant at Inclusive Schooling. She is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Maine at Farmington and a charter member of Maine Coalition for Inclusive Education. A former high school special education teacher in New York City, she has expertise working with adolescent students with complex support needs.

She is an educational consultant who works with schools and families to create more inclusive practices for all. Her research is focused on best practices for the inclusion for students with complex support needs and understanding the culture of inclusive schools.

Kate writes and manages the Inclusive Schooling Blog and is always looking to feature new voices and ideas related to inclusive education.

She lives in Unity, Maine with her husband Danny, their dog Amelia, cat, Carlos and flock of chickens. When she is not working she loves to play music, swim in the ocean, and send positive vibes into the world.

Jenna Mancini Rufo

Assistant Superintendent

Bio

Jenna Mancini Rufo is a consultant for Inclusive Schooling with a wealth of special education and leadership experience from K-12 public education. Currently an Assistant Superintendent, Jenna has also served as a Director of Special Education and Student Services, an inclusion facilitator, a special education teacher, and a policy specialist for the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Jenna’s passion for inclusion was ignited by growing up with her sister, Nina, who has significant disabilities. Throughout her career, Jenna has been a strong advocate for inclusive education and has brought inclusion from theory to implementation in the systems in which she has served. Jenna provides professional development to school district staff, and especially enjoys working with administrative teams looking to lead systems change.

Jenna lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two elementary-aged children, and two black cats. She is happiest when spending time with her family and enjoying the beach!

Shelley Moore

5 Moore Minutes

Bio

Shelley Moore: originally from Edmonton, and is now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Shelley Moore is a highly sought-after teacher, researcher, speaker and storyteller and has worked with school districts and community organizations throughout both Canada and the United States. Her first book entitled, “One Without the Other” was released in July 2016 and her second will be released summer 2019! Shelley completed an undergraduate degree in Special Education at the University of Alberta, her masters at Simon Fraser University, and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia.

Kristie Pretti-Frontczak

ECE Consultant

Bio

Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak is an accomplished author, sought-after consultant, and educator’s educator, Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak spent 16 years as a tenured professor in Higher Education at Kent State University before leaving to lead a {r}evolution in early childhood education. Through comprehensive classes, thought-provoking keynote addresses, and practical resources for teachers, she’s guiding adult professionals who work with our youngest students toward developing their emotional intelligence, reclaiming children’s right to learn through play and reimagining more inclusive classrooms. She has written six textbooks, two workbooks, and the AEPS curricular system, served as past President of the International Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children, and spent over 50,000 hours teaching adults best practices in early childhood care and education in locations from Cincinnati to Singapore. It’s all part of her effort to build kinder, more inclusive, and more creative classrooms-and therefore, a better world.

Pat Radel

Attorney

Bio

Patrick G. Radel is a member of the law firm of Getnick Livingston Atkinson & Priore, LLP, located in Utica, New York. He received his law degree summa cum laude from the University at Buffalo Law School, where he was the Executive Editor of the Buffalo Law Review. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Radel served as confidential law clerk to the Honorable William M. Skretny, United States District Judge for the Western District of New York. Mr. Radel is passionate about the rights of people with disabilities and has been honored to represent families of students with disabilities at CSE meetings, in due process proceedings, and in federal court. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the United States District Court for the Northern and Western Districts of New York, and in the courts of New York State. Mr. Radel is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), New York State Bar Association, and Oneida County Bar Association. He is a Fellow of the New York Bar Foundation and he is a frequent speaker on the legal rights of students with disabilities. He lives in New Hartford, New York with his wife, Mary Snyder Radel, Esq., and their three sons.

Tracy Thresher

Disability Rights Advocate

Bio

Tracy Thresher is a native Vermonter who lives and works in Vermont. Tracy began using Facilitated Communication in 1990 and was one of the first individuals with autism in Vermont to be introduced to the method. He has presented at local, statewide and national workshops and conferences. Tracy is an employee of Washington County Mental Health Services and has consulted with local schools and adult service agencies, mentors high school students and adults with communication challenges, is a member of the Vermont Statewide Communication Task Force, and the WCMHS Communication Alliance. Tracy additionally performs freelance work for Green Mountain Self-Advocates and works with the Wellspring Guild as a Master Trainer. Tracy and his friend Larry travel the world promoting their documentary, Wretches & Jabberers, in an effort to change the World’s view of disability to one of positivity.

Stephanie Traver

Self-Advocate

Bio

Stephanie is a 20-year-old self-advocate from Spokane, WA, where she just completed her second year of community college. Stephanie grew up with her mom and twin brother, enjoying activities like bowling, skiing and piano lessons, cooking and social time with her friends. Within her school district of 13,000 students, she was the first student with Down syndrome to spend all 12 years of her education in her neighborhood schools in primarily general education classes with her typical peers. While her mom advocated on her behalf during her K-12 years, including a lengthy Due Process hearing, Stephanie is learning to advocate for her own rights and needs now! In August she will move onto the campus of Washington State University, 90 miles from home, to attend a 2-year inclusive post-secondary program. She is eager begin this next chapter of her life and share her journey with those interested in inclusive education