Includi-Con 2024
Summer Inclusion Institute
Join us for our virtual 2024 Summer Inclusion Institute!
Includi-Con is a 3-day, virtual event designed to provide opportunities for school personnel and parents to build their inclusion skills. Life in schools and their respective communities has been difficult and more challenging than ever, as the impact of the pandemic for students, families and schools was fully understood and felt.
We’ve put together a program and speakers that we believe can help all to remember our “why”, to forge positive pathways for students and ourselves; learn new strategies; and expand our circles of connection with others who embrace inclusive education. And we will also have some fun!
We hope that Includi-Con will inspire and energize you as you continue your work to support all students learning together in general education classrooms, find new connections, and feel supported in your efforts.
Click the areas below to explore the program and register!
Featured Speakers & Keynote Sessions
Tuesday, June 25
Keynote: “Inclusive Lesson Planning”
Speakers: Dr. Julie Causton & Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontzchak
Improve Tier One – So ALL Students Succeed
Are you ready to improve classroom practices so that inclusion is nearly a snap? If you are here to lead your teachers away from outdated practices like the raise-and-respond, lectures, packets, ability groups, worksheets, treats, and timeouts, then this is for you.
Lead your teachers towards innovative, differentiated, engaging practices where students are inspired to be creative, and classrooms are joy-filled.
Wednesday, June 26
Keynote: “Emotional Intelligence and Inclusive Schooling”
Speaker: Dr. Mary Jo Podgursky
Dr. Mary Jo is the author of 38 books, including Inside Out: Your Body is Amazing Inside and Out and Belongs ONLY to YOU, a program on child abuse prevention for elementary students. She is the creator of the 12 books in The Nonnie SeriesTM for children ages 8 and up on challenging topics like death, consent, disability, gender, sex, trauma, relationships, mental health, quarantine, race, pregnancy and birth, and puberty.
Dr. Mary Jo’s work with people of different abilities led her to create the program Me Too to empower professionals, parents, and self-advocates. The book Me Too: Real Talk about Sexuality for People of ALL Abilities, accompanies her training on this vital topic. Her latest book for adults, Sex Ed is in Session: An Adult Guide to Connecting with Young People about Life’s Topics, won a 2021 Silver Award from Living Well Books.
Thursday, June 27
Keynote: “Hidden Curriculum and Strategies for Social Engagement”
Speakers: Dr. Bev Evans
Beverley Cush Evans teaches in the special education programs in the Lesley Colllege, Graduate School of Education. She has worked with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder for over 30 years, and has been a consultant for the Pennsylvania State Department of Education for Inclusive Education. She has served in higher education for 18 years, first at Duquesne University and most recently at Lesley University. Prior to her entrance into higher education she worked in both segregated and inclusive settings as a special education teacher for 14 years.
In 2021, The Run Around, created by youth designers in partnership with Beverley, iThrive Games, and Transition HOPE’s Janelle Ridley, won a gold medal in the category of Educational Tabletop Games at Serious Play Conference’s 2021 Serious Play Awards. The game authentically communicates the emotional, mental, and spiritual bondage the juvenile justice system creates.
3-day Includi-Con Agenda
Tuesday June 25
8:30 – 9:00 am
Includi-Con Welcoming and Opening
9:00 – 12:00 pm
Keynote: Planning Inclusive Lessons
Speaker: Julie Causton, PhD & Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, PhD, Inclusive Schooling
Wednesday June 26
8:30 – 9:00 am
Opening
9:00 – 11:00 am
Keynote: Emotional Intelligence and Inclusive Schools
Speaker: Dr. Mary Jo Podgursky
11:00 – 12:00 pm
TBD
Thursday June 27
8:30 – 9:00 am
Opening
9:00 – 10:30 am.
Keynote: Hidden Curriculum and Engagement Strategies
Speakers: Dr. Bev Evans
10:30 – 10:45 am
Break
10:45 – 11:05 am
SAID IT Student Presentation
11:05 – 11:15 am
Break
11:15 – 12:00 pm
Session: Extra Curricular Activities and Unified Clubs
Registration and Cost
Registration opens April 1st, 2024
Registration Fee*: $30.00
*Include Me School Districts: There is no fee for educators, administrators, or parents from Include Me participating school districts. Please contact Anthony Chan (achan@includemepa.org) to receive a registration code.
Scholarships: Parents of students with disabilities can apply for a scholarship to cover their registration fee. Contact Anthony Chan at achan@includeme.pa.org