Department of Exceptional Learners

Staff Shout Out!

Staff shout out to Mrs. Keifer! "She is just an absolute rockstar! Our students are extremely lucky to have her a their teacher! She always goes above and beyond no matter what curve ball is thrown at her!!"-Betsy Zarse

If you would like to shout out the great things you see someone on our team do, please use the form below and i'll include it in the newsletter! 🙂

Staff Shout Out Form

I will be out of the office tomorrow morning (Dec. 3) until noon and all day Thursday (Dec. 4) for off site meetings. If you need something urgent, please call me. I will be checking my email periodically.

Elkhart County Coordinator Shai Mathews organized a spreadsheet that breaks down services alphabetically, by category and by county. Topics include healthcare, housing, disability, education, employment, immigration and more. Access the spreadsheet here.

Join us to explore creative ways to introduce community helpers and explain their roles to autistic learners. We’ll share practical strategies like using visual supports, social scripts, role-play, and other tools to help students feel more confident in everyday situations—especially during the busy holiday season. This session is perfect for anyone supporting students through new experiences in the community.

This workshop will be offered twice to provide options for those in different time zones:

December 10, 2025

1:30 p.m. PST/3:30 p.m. CST/4:30 p.m. EST

3:30 p.m. PST/5:30 p.m. CST/6:30 p.m. EST

Link to register: https://starautismsupport.com/event/it-takes-village-teaching-about-community-helpers

How to Design and Deliver Effective Math Intervention

Webinar (Free for Everyone!)

In this free webinar, review examples of ways to boost your delivery of math instruction by using explicit instruction, clear and concise language, and multiple representations. By the end of the webinar, you'll have the knowledge to design and deliver effective math instruction immediately!

Link to register:

https://learn.exceptionalchildren.org/products/how-to-design-and-deliver-effective-math-intervention#tab-product_tab_overview

Kick Off the Book Study Series with Joan Sedita – December 3

Join Joan Sedita, founder of Keys to Literacy and author of The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy, for a free, three-part book study webinar series designed to deepen your understanding of what every secondary educator needs to know about literacy instruction.

Across all three sessions, Joan will break down the essential components of effective adolescent literacy instruction—clarifying why literacy is central to learning in every subject area, not just ELA. Participants will develop a clear, evidence-based framework for:

How reading, writing, speaking, and vocabulary skills work together to support content learning
The principles that define effective literacy instruction in grades 4–12
Practical strategies teachers and leaders can apply immediately in classrooms, coaching, intervention, and schoolwide planning

This series is ideal for middle and high school educators, instructional coaches, interventionists, and school or district leaders committed to improving literacy outcomes across their systems.

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Time: 7:00–8:00 p.m. ET

Speaker: Joan Sedita, Founder of Keys to Literacy and Author of The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy

Link to register: https://form.jotform.com/253155240152143

Follow this link to access free learning opportunities from Indiana University: https://expand.iu.edu/?query=transition%20miniseries&_gl=1*o1icoo*_gcl_au*MTk3NzE0MjczMy4xNzYzOTkzMDkw*_ga*MTk5NjMwMTc5Ny4xNzYzOTkzMDkw*_ga_61CH0D2DQW*czE3NjM5OTMwOTAkbzEkZzEkdDE3NjM5OTMyMzIkajIwJGwwJGgw

Please share the following information with any families who would be interested:
A Place of My Own
On Monday, December 15, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET at Easterseals Crossroads (4740 Kingsway Drive, Indianapolis), the Center on Community Living and Careers and Easterseals Crossroads will host A Place of My Own, a free session exploring residential options for individuals with disabilities. The program covers housing models, funding, regulations, workforce challenges, and intentional communities, and welcomes families, transition-age students, caregivers, and professionals.

James M. “Jim” McCarten, a special needs attorney specializing in SSI, Medicaid, and Special Needs Trusts, will lead the session. In-person seating is limited to 60 participants, and a virtual attendance option is available.

Link to register: https://iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3DJ8LNRzNR1ZuAe

PowerUp Series with Power School, December 9 at 1:00 pm EST.

The DOE Office of Special Education, in partnership with Power School, will be hosting the PowerUp Series. The topic for December 9 is Progress Monitoring. The engaging sessions are designed exclusively for Indiana educators and administrators to explore the latest features and processes in the new Indiana Special Programs platform. The Registration LINK is provided.

If you would like to attend this, please send an email to your building admin and me.

CEC does a monthly education policy update. It is free. The information is below if you are interested.

What's Happening in Washington - December 2025 Edition

CEC Webinar | Dec. 4, 4:00 PM ET

Free for everyone

Learn More

A new, free Science of Reading Toolkit is available from Brookes Publishing with tips and resources from Brookes' authors, including Keys founder Joan Sedita, Nancy Hennessey, Jan Hasbrouck, Louisa Moats, Elsa Cardenas-Hagan, and Daryl Michael. Click here to access.

Let's Talk Benefits

Wednesday, December 10, 2025
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. ET

During this free two-hour virtual training, parents, caregivers, and supporters will learn how state and federal benefits support employees with disabilities. If you’re concerned about your loved one losing benefits when they begin working, this training is for you!

Learn how to reject common myths about benefits and going to work.
Understand the difference between SSI & SSDI.
Understand which health care benefit (Medicaid and Medicare) goes with which SSA benefit.
Learn asset-building options to assist with benefits.
Learn about the advantages and find out how to access benefits counseling in Indiana.

This session is free! Save your spot today.

Free On-Demand Workshop: Improving School-Home Communication

Family engagement starts with relationships—and relationships start with communication..

That’s why IN*SOURCE’s Indiana Statewide Family Engagement Center and national expert Patricia Weinzapfel are offering a free, on demand workshop:

Improving School-Home Communication to Build Bridges with Families.

In less than an hour, you’ll learn how to:

Recognize effective (and ineffective) communication
Create parent-friendly, jargon-free messages
Assess your own communication practices

When you finish the workshop, you’ll receive a free copy of Patricia’s book and a Certificate of Completion.

Link to Sign Up: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/FeiQfzh/closingtheloop25

If you would like to find the Lexile level of a book here is a resource that you find helpful! https://hub.lexile.com/

IN*FE (the INdiana Family Effect) is a new statewide resource hubconnecting families, schools, and communities with tools, programs, and opportunities that support the whole family. From education and health to leadership, housing, employment, and more. IN*FE brings together resources that help families thrive.

Link: https://www.indianafamilyeffect.org/about

Hands Shop

Free and/or low-cost supports can be found at our shop including: visual supports, informational materials, toolkits, manuals, and items en Español. Link: https://handsinautism.mybigcommerce.com/