Note: This multi-day workshop will be hybrid in format combining a blend of in-person and online programming
This workshop will provide all teachers new to the profession and paraprofessionals with a better understanding of the special education process. Participants will be guided through the process from suspicion of a disability - referral, evaluation, determination of eligibility, and development of the individual education program (IEP) - to on-going monitoring. A practical approach of using IEPs for which educators will actually be responsible will be used to deepen participants’ understanding of their role and responsibility relative to their students with disabilities.
As a result of taking this workshop, participants will:
This workshop will be a combination of in-person and asynchronous learning and participation
Funded in part by the US Department of Education Teacher Quality Partnership Grant #U336S160019.
Susan Bradley has over 45 years of experience in the field of special education in working with students, families, faculty, administrators, and agencies in Maryland, Ohio, Texas, California, and New Hampshire. Her range of experience includes teaching students with hearing impairments, specific learning disabilities, and communication disorders from preschool age children to young adults.
Susan served as a Co-Project Manager from 2011-2019 for a Nellie Mae Education Foundation Grant awarded to the Pittsfield School District in Pittsfield, New Hampshire with a focus of transforming a traditional learning environment to a student-centered, personalized learning environment for all students.
Susan has worked in the Pittsfield School District, Pittsfield, New Hampshire for the past 29 years. Currently, she serves as the Out of District Coordinator for the Pittsfield School District In addition, she is co-lead faculty at Granite State College for the Special Education Advanced Endorsement Program, as well as a Field Placement Faculty for teacher candidates seeking certification in elementary education, general special education, and early childhood special education.
Susan is a senior consultant for The Bryan Group, a consulting firm that provides career coaching services, facilitation of a school district’s search for superintendents and administrators, and outplacement and transitioning services.
Susan holds a B.S. degree in Communication Disorders from Northwestern University and a M.Ed. degree in special education from the University of Pittsburgh. She was named Teacher of the Year at Glen Yermo Elementary School, Saddleback Valley Unified School District Mission Viejo, California and Orange County Teacher of the Year, as well as Nominee for Teacher of the Year for the State of California in 1992. She was named New Hampshire Special Education Teacher of the Year 2006-2007.
Tobi Gray Chassie has over 40 years of experience in the field of special education. She was the director of student services for the Pittsfield (NH) School District for twenty-five years. For five years, she was the co-project manager of the district level systems change initiative, designed to create and sustain a student centered approach to educating students.
Tobi is co-lead faculty at Granite State College for the Special Education Advanced Endorsement Program, as well as a Field Placement Faculty for teacher candidates seeking certification in elementary education, general special education, and early childhood special education.
As co-founder of Transforming Educational Practice, a New Hampshire-based consulting organization, Tobi provides support for school leaders engaged in school development and redesign.
Tobi holds a B.S. in special education and elementary education from Eastern Michigan University; M.Ed. in educational leadership from Plymouth State University; and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in educational leadership from Plymouth State University. She was honored as New Hampshire Special Education Administrator of the Year in 2008.
