The IEP and Me: Crafting Intentional, Effective, and Purposeful IEPs from the Inside Out

Presented by Amanda Struss, Educational Ambassador, STAGES Learning; and Dr. Michelle Nutini, Director of Professional Development Services, STAGES Learning

Sponsored by STAGES Learning

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Designed for novice special and general educators and administrators, this edWebinar provides a comprehensive understanding of the essential elements of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) planning and development. IEPs are an integral part of special education, but the intent behind its components and process is often misunderstood by team members. This session provides viewers with necessary information to contribute meaningfully to IEP development. Recognizing the critical roles of each team member, we emphasize the importance of a cohesive approach for achieving success.

Throughout the edWebinar, we explore the IEP process from start to finish, covering legal considerations and clarifying the roles and expectations of each team member. By gaining an inside-out understanding, viewers learn how to intentionally design IEPs that effectively address the unique needs of each student. Key learning objectives for this session include:

• A comprehensive exploration of the IEP progress
• Understanding the legal requirements associated with IEP development
• Exploring practical strategies to support students across different environments

By viewing this edWebinar, you gain valuable insights, tools, and strategies to enhance the IEP development process and make it more robust, meaningful, and student centered. Join us to empower yourself with the knowledge to create intentional and effective IEPs that make lasting impacts on students’ lives.

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

About the Presenters

Amanda Struss is a special education teacher and autism specialist who has worked in a variety of educational and clinical settings across the country for the last 14 years. Amanda is passionate about working to develop and provide the most positive, comprehensive, and individualized programs to support students who require intensive interventions in order to increase their ability to gain skills using a more natural teaching approach and to effectively access the environments that they are present in throughout each day. Outside of the classroom, Amanda provides extensive consultation to families of children with autism and behavior disorders, has helped develop and implement positive behavior and intervention systems for districts, and has been a featured speaker at conferences about how to effectively incorporate positive behavior supports within the classroom. Amanda obtained her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education, where she focused her studies on autism and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

Before joining the STAGES Learning team, Dr. Michelle Nutini spent over a decade teaching diverse high-needs students in the School District of Philadelphia before serving as the district’s Autism Support Coordinator for five years. In addition to providing professional development and consultation, she built interactive resources to support the delivery of autistic support services in and outside 400 programs across the district’s 200+ schools. An award-winning educator invested in applying research to practice, Dr. Nutini has presented at the CEC, PDE, and INSAR annual conferences and served on several advisory boards as part of community-academic partnerships with the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Nutini earned her doctorate in special education leadership and management at Drexel University as a USELT Scholar, which has been integral to her passion and work in building systems and capacity. She has an M.Ed. from Chestnut Hill College and a B.A. in psychology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

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.