Presented by Eric Crespo, Superintendent of Schools, Weehawken Township School District (NJ); and Lisa Schleer, Vice President of Educational Partnerships, Stages Learning

Sponsored by STAGES Learning

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It’s a challenging time post-pandemic! With mental health concerns, low student attendance, and contested board meetings, many educators are feeling overwhelmed. However, with challenges come opportunities. In this edWebinar, Superintendent Eric Crespo of Weehawken Township School District, NJ highlights his district’s journey in developing and sustaining creative ways to engage ALL learners while motivating teachers to continue to love their work. He shares his journey of developing and sustaining specialized in-district programs that reunited his neurodiverse community of learners. This work was driven by his desire and commitment to ensure that all students are seen, valued, and heard.

Eric describes his vision and future plans for his district with his partner, Lisa Schleer from Stages Learning, as they work together to ensure that all students, including students with disabilities, are included in all aspects of Weehawken Township School District. Throughout the majority of the day, you can find Eric nestled in the classrooms, working with students and celebrating his faculty’s dedication to their community of learners. Viewers walk away from this session feeling inspired and energized by Eric’s passion and commitment to his community.

This recorded edWebinar is of interest to PreK-12 school and district leaders as well as teachers.

About the Presenters

Eric Crespo was born in the Bronx and raised in North Bergen by his parents, who immigrated from Cuba. Eric has served as the Superintendent of Schools for Weehawken Township School District in New Jersey since 2018. Before arriving in Weehawken, he was an Assistant Superintendent for Paterson Public Schools, the second-largest school district in New Jersey. During his tenure in Weehawken Schools, the district has received the following awards: the Lighthouse Award for Special Education Post-Secondary Success, Digital Star Schools, Sustainable Schools, AP CSP Female Diversity, the Namm Award for Best in Music Education, the Tech and Learning Innovative Leader Award, and Niche rated Weehawken Schools the #1 district in Hudson County. He is completing his doctoral dissertation on the effectiveness of professional development in schools at Saint Peter’s University in the spring of 2024. The best part of his day is visiting classrooms, talking to teachers, and supporting families in his community.

Lisa Schleer joined Stages Learning in April 2022 as the Vice President of Educational Partnerships. She brings her leadership skills, special education expertise, relationship-building strengths, and fiscal-management skills to her role. Before joining Stages Learning, she served as an assistant superintendent, an executive director for personalized learning, and a director of special services in NJ and Hartford, CT. Her teaching career included teaching in various settings, including self-contained, resource, autism preschool, and general education. Lisa’s background in special education over the last 28 years has fueled her passion for presenting at conferences on topics that cover equity of access to high-quality curricula, Response to Intervention, and differentiated instruction for all students. She holds a B.A. in both elementary and special education, an M.A. in both early childhood and early childhood special education, and an advanced ed leadership degree. She is finishing her doctorate in higher education leadership.

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

Join the Teaching Students with Autism community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

For 25 years, STAGES® Learning has been dedicated to creating quality teaching tools to help educators provide the best learning opportunities for students on the autism spectrum. Since our first product, Language Builder: Picture Cards, was introduced in 1997, millions of children around the world have benefited from our products. Today, STAGES’ offerings include award-winning, photo-based teaching tools, manipulatives, games, puzzles, posters and sensory items, culminating in our recently launched complete curriculum for children with autism or other cognitive delays. STAGES’ online learning platform, releasing in time for fall 2022, will provide a digital option to ensure educators can support learners with autism and language delays in even more ways.