Tuesday Transition Tips

• Thank you to all that attended our November 12, 2025 Countywide Transition Coalition(CTC)

• Transition Tip #52
  (See details below.)

• 2025–2026 Student & Parent Workshops

  • Check out the flyer below for upcoming workshop dates and details.

• Transition Conferences (MTSA 2026 and DCDT 2026)

• Professional Development / Trainings

  • See attached flyers for current PD opportunities.

  • Transition Huddle PD: November 11, 2025, from 2:00–3:00 p.m.

  • Topic: PLAAFP

  • See the Transition Huddle link below for details.

• Person-Center Options Counseling Program Flyer

• Student Opportunities (free phones see below)

As we approach the holiday season, I’d like to encourage all of us educators and colleagues to be mindful that this time of year does not bring the same feelings for everyone. While many look forward to time off and celebrations, some of our students and coworkers may experience uncertainty, anxiety, or additional challenges during this period.

The holidays can be a time when individuals need increased mental health support, as well as access to community and basic-needs resources. This week’s Transition Tip includes tools to help us navigate the season with sensitivity in our classrooms and school buildings. You’ll also find resources that can be shared with students, families, and colleagues who may express concerns or difficulties as the holidays approach.

Attached are helpful tools and resource lists to guide our conversations and ensure that students, families, and colleagues feel seen, supported, and connected.

Teacher Holiday Tips: Managing Holiday Stress in the Classroom

Navigating the Emotional Complexities of the Holiday Seasons in Schools

NAMI Washtenaw(National Alliance on Mental Illness

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Countywide Transition Coalition on November 12th!

A special thanks to WISD My Future Fund, Lisa Stanton, and Robin Hall, owner of We Rock the Spectrum Gym, for their contributions. We also greatly appreciate the participation of our attendees from:

• Community Mental Health (CMH): Krista DeWeese, Caryette Fenner, Britt Paxton

• Disability Network: Anna Dusbiber

• Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS): Tracey House

• Blind Services for Blind Persons (BSBP): Brittany Hamilton-Reed

• Countywide Representatives: Milan District Representative, Saline Special Education Assistant Director, Lincoln District Representative, Special Education Director from Multicultural Academy, Ann Arbor Transition Coordinator

• WISD District Representatives: YAP, WAVE, and WTMC Teacher Consultants; WISD VI Teacher Consultant; WISD High Point Teacher Consultant/Curriculum Specialist; Progress Park Teachers and Related Service Providers; WISD Occupational Therapist; and WISD Behavioral Specialist

Thank you all for sharing your time, insights, and expertise on postsecondary transition, discussing challenges and successes, and sharing valuable resources with our community. Your contributions made the event informative, engaging, and meaningful for everyone in attendance.

• Michigan Transition Services Association-MTSA- February 18-20, 2026 in Lansing, MI https://www.michigantsa.org/
• Division on Career Development and Transition-DCDT- October , 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana, https://dcdt.org/events/dcdt-international-conference

We’re excited to introduce a new structure to Transition Huddle to support your continued growth and understanding of postsecondary transition.

• 2nd Tuesday of Each Month – Learning Workshops:
  Join us for focused learning sessions covering key topics related to postsecondary transition. Each month will feature new content, resources, and strategies to enhance your transition planning and practices.

• 4th Tuesday of Each Month – Open Office Hours:
  Bring your transition-related questions, challenges, or topics for discussion. This is a dedicated time to connect, collaborate, and get the support you need.

Mark your calendars and take advantage of these new opportunities to grow your skills and knowledge in postsecondary transition!

We are excited to reconvene our Countywide Transition Coalition (CTC) Meetings for the 2025–2026 school year!

These monthly meetings are designed to bring together Washtenaw County Transition District Designees, WISD teachers, consultants, ancillary service providers, and our valued community agency/organization partners. Together, we collaborate to strengthen and support postsecondary transition planning across the county.

Meeting Details:

• When: 2nd Wednesday of each month *(exception no meeting in October and March)

• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Location: Teaching and Learning Center

Professional Learning Opportunities

1. Writing PLAAFPS & Measurable Goals (link included on the flyer for districts/schools to request a customized training)

Dates: 9/10/25, 1/27/26, 3/25/26 (8:30AM-11:30AM)

2. Countywide START PD trainings (6 different topics - open to ANY staff member)

Dates:

9/24/25 Neurodiversity 8:30-11:30AM

9/30/25 Visual Implementation 8:30-11:30 AM, Make & Take Option (free materials to create) 12:30-3:30 PM

10/21/25 FAPE in the LRE 8:30-11:30AM

11/16/25 PBIS 8:30-11:30, Make & Take Option (free materials to create) 12:30-3:30 PM

12/2/25 Effective Meetings - Team Collaboration 8:30-11AM OR 12:30-3:30 PM

1/28/26 Differentiated Output 8:30-11:30 AM, Make & Take Option (free materials to create) 12:30-3:30 PM

3. START Building Inclusion Coach Flyer

Application process has started for admin/principals to submit recommended coaches.

4. NVCI

Dates:

Full Course: 9/25/25, 10/28/25, 11/6/25, 1/15/26, 3/19/26, 5/7/26 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Refresher Course: 9/9/25, 9/16/25, 10/1/25, 11/13/25, 1/22/26, 3/12/26, 5/14/26 8:30AM-1:00PM

5. Peer 2 Peer: Yearlong monthly sessions to plan and collaborate with county colleagues in creating peer 2 peer programs

Dates:

10/23/25, 11/20/25, 12/16/25, 1/20/26, 2/12/26, 3/12/26, 4/9/26, 5/26/26

6. Washtenaw County's Special Education Inclusion Coffee & Conversation (no flyer as of yet since topic sessions are being determined) - audience includes families, school staff, and agencies

Dates: 1/18/25, 1/29/26, 3/26/26, 5/12/26 8:15-11:00AM

7. Interactive Complaint IEP: Each area of the IEP outlined in order to write a compliant IEP

Dates: 10/7/25 9:00-12:00, 12/11/25 12:30-3:30, 2/11/26 9-12:00, 4/14/26 12:30-3:30

START Project: Transforming Transition Together(T3)

https://washtenawliteracy.org/

This Tuesday’s Transition Tip is a review to some and introduction to others. It is important as special education providers/case managers that we create structured and detailed postsecondary transition plans for our students. The Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual is a guide to assist special education staff with creating complaint post-secondary transition plans. This guide contains a table of contents to help locate information quickly. The manual also gives insight on how not only to build a complaint transition plan but a quality transition plan. It includes links, videos, and an appendix to assist. Please take the time to read and review the Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual.

Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual

The WISD Transition Services website has an assessment library with FREE electronic forms/materials. Check it out!

Also the WISD has a lending library of assessment and curricula resources using the WISD Destiny Library.

Submit your student/staff/program/district Transition Triumphs to Joy Taylor or Kelly Higgins for possible inclusion in future Newsletters.

*When using student photos be sure to included photo release permissions.