2025 Summer Inclusion Leadership Conference: Full Schedule

10:50am EDT

Supporting Inclusive School Climate Improvement with the Free NJ SCI Survey and Platform LIMITED

Friday June 6, 2025 10:50am - 11:55am EDT

This session will introduce participants to an innovative free resource called the New Jersey School Climate Improvement (NJ SCI) Survey and Platform, developed by Rutgers University in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Education. The NJ SCI Platform supports school and district leaders in collecting high quality school climate data, analyzing results and prioritizing needs, setting improvement goals, and developing, implementing, and monitoring a strategic plan featuring research-based strategies for improving school climate. The presentation will provide an overview of the NJ SCI Platform emphasizing tools and practices for promoting the development of inclusive environments for all students.

Speakers

Alicia Raia-Hawrylak

Project Manager, School Climate Transformation Project, Rutgers University

Alicia Raia-Hawrylak, Ph.D., is Co-Project Manager of the School Climate Transformation Project (SCTP), where she supervises the project's research and evaluation efforts. Alicia completed her Ph.D. in sociology at Rutgers University. She is a former middle school language arts teacher... Read More →

NJ SCI All In 2025 Presentation Draft Final pdf

Friday June 6, 2025 10:50am - 11:55am EDT
Room 115

Session 1

1:05pm EDT

Planting Seeds: Teacher Agency in the Cultivation of Culturally Responsive Classrooms LIMITED

Friday June 6, 2025 1:05pm - 2:10pm EDT

Room 115

Cultivating culturally responsive classrooms begins with school leaders fostering teacher agency as a catalyst for change. This presentation will explore how school leaders can empower teachers to take ownership of their instructional practices, leading to inclusive, student-centered learning environments. Participants will examine strategies for engaging teachers in a hands-on process to embed culturally responsive pedagogy into daily instruction, foster meaningful student connections, and advocate for equitable school policies. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, school leaders will leave with practical tools to nurture teacher agency, plant the seeds of inclusivity, and cultivate lasting change across their schools

Speakers

Lisa B. Torres, Ed.D.

Supervisor of English & Social Studies, River Dell Regional Schools

Dr. Lisa Torres is a District Supervisor with 31 years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct instructor. Committed to equity and instructional excellence, she prioritizes culturally responsive teaching, instructional innovation, and... Read More →

Nicole M. Adams, M.S.Ed, M.A.Ed

Assistant Principal, Hackensack Public Schools

Nicole Adams is the Assistant Principal at Hackensack High School with over 20 years in education as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct instructor. Committed to student-centered learning, she champions restorative practices, culturally responsive pedagogy... Read More →

Friday June 6, 2025 1:05pm - 2:10pm EDT
Room 115

Session 2

2:25pm EDT

Transitioning the AAC User to Adulthood: Goals, Implementation and Equipment LIMITED

Friday June 6, 2025 2:25pm - 3:30pm EDT

Room 115

Transitioning from the school setting to adult programming presents many challenges for AAC Users, their families and their clinical/educational team. This presentation will highlight different goals and implementation strategies that need to be considered when helping students who use AAC through this important transition. In addition, vocabulary considerations will be discussed. Finally, how and when to obtain AAC equipment and services through the adult system will be demystified.

Speakers

Barbra Seltzer, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP

Owner/Director and Speech/Language Pathologist, Access Communication and Therapy, LLC

Barbra Seltzer, M.S.,CCC-SLP, ATP is a Speech/Language Pathologist with more than 30 years of experience working with children and adults with complex communication needs. She has worked in a variety of settings and currently works in private practice... Read More →

Kate Flaxman, M.S., CCC-SLP

AAC Specialist, Advancing Opportunities

Kate Flaxman M.S. CCC-SLP is an Augmentative Communication Specialist with Advancing Opportunities. She has had a diversified experience working with individuals with complex communication needs who benefit from AAC in early intervention, schools, adult placement settings, homes... Read More →

Transitioning the AAC User to Adulthood pdf

Friday June 6, 2025 2:25pm - 3:30pm EDT
Room 115

Session 3