Limited Time Offer: Receive a free subscription for each registrant to Spedster’s full suite of IDL online learning tools which provide assessment, instruction, data, and progress monitoring for students in the areas of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Well-Being/Behavior.

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Limited Time Offer: Receive a free subscription for each registrant to Spedster’s full suite of IDL online learning tools which provide assessment, instruction, data, and progress monitoring for students in the areas of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Well-Being/Behavior. 〰️

Spedster University

Candice Lewis, Vice President of Special Education Professional Services

Earn CEU’s Today!

Led by Vice President of Special Education Professional Services, Candice Lewis, longtime special educator and former executive director of special education for the 5th largest school district in the United States, Houston Independent School District, Spedster University is a learning institution committed to supporting both general and special educators by equipping them with the latest methods, practices, and resources to meeting the needs of students with IEPs. Ms. Lewis is a visionary leader with a steadfast commitment to ensuring equitable access for all children with disabilities and unalterable characteristics. Dr. Kurt Hulett, CEO of Spedster, commented, “Mrs. Lewis is among the most dynamic, knowledgeable, and committed special educators with whom I have worked. Having the privilege of working with and learning from her over the past 5 years has been a true honor. She is an intelligent, insightful, and deeply caring individual.” With an unwavering focus on equipping special educators with the skills, knowledge, and inspiration to fearlessly provide services and supports for students with IEPs, Ms. Lewis spearheads the most progressive and ambitious learning institute and approach for the training and educating of boots on the ground educators.

For any registration or general questions regarding Spedster University or professional learning opportunities (custom or existing), please contact Candice Lewis at candice.lewis@spedsternow.com or book an appointment HERE.

The Spedster University Philosophy

“With a strong intention to move away from stand-and-delivery, one-time-per-year PD for educators, Spedster believes in practical, on-going, multi-modal, regularly scheduled, hands-on professional learning with a true focus on action, practical application, and school-based implementation versus theory. Although we know all educational practices must be evidence- and research-based, we believe the current approach does not equip special educators well enough with the translation of theory to practice. Special educators need the actual approaches, interventions, resources, and guidance to address the needs of a dynamic and rapidly changing classroom and school setting.”

— Candice Lewis, Vice President, Special Education Professional Services

The Spedster University Approach

We have created a multitude of approaches, schedules, formats, and topics to address the diverse needs of school districts and special educators from around the country. Although we regularly customize professional development and learning services for school districts, we have a variety of existing content, practices, and approaches from which school districts and special educators can choose. Below you will find the approaches within which we organize our offerings.

(1). In-person 1/2 day, full day, or multi-day schoolwide and districtwide professional development in all core areas of special education for special and general education teachers and administrators;

(2). Online, virtual, and live one hour and two hour professional development sessions in all core areas of special education for special and general education teachers and administrators;

(3) Online, virtual, on-demand, pre-recorded webinars on all major topics within special education;

(4) Online, virtual, live one and two hour webinars on all major topics within special education;

(5) Live, open office hours coaching and “ask the expert” on all major educational and legal questions regarding the writing and implementation of IEPs. This is open to all general and special education teachers and administrators.

(6) Virtual and live, one-on-one coaching for building principals around the management and implementation of a schoolwide special education program. All major aspects of leading, managing, and growing a special education program will be addressed, as well as the specific as to the role of the principal through a legal and leadership lens.

(7) Video Podcasts with leading special education experts, Dr. Yell and Dr. Hulett, discussing today’s biggest issues and trending topics.

(8) The Spedster Expert Lecture Series is an on-going, monthly gathering with the field of special education’s most distinguished scholars and leaders from the district, national, state, and federal levels.

The Spedster University Featured Professional Development & Learning Institute Offerings

PD Course #1: The New Special Education Teacher Institute

This new and innovative PD course is designed to support the rapid development of the skills needed of new special education teachers to meet the needs of their students with IEPs — both legally and educationally. The Institute spans a nine month time period and supports each teacher throughout the entirety of the academic year (September-May). This super practical, hands-on, and resource-intensive PD course also comes with a free subscription for each teacher to Spedster’s full suite of IDL online learning tools which provide assessment, instruction, data, and progress monitoring for students in the areas of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Well-Being/Behavior. Topics to be covered in detail include: (1) Writing legally and educationally sound IEP’s; (2) Progress monitoring IEP goals; (3) Writing deep and meaningful PLAAFP’s; (4) Basic legal requirements of the IEP process; (5) Creating and implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and High Leverage Practices (HLPs) in the resource and inclusive classroom; (6) Creating Equitable and Inclusive learning environments; (7) Creating IEP-driven lesson plans; (8) How to implement IEPs in a legal and educationally meaningful way; and much, much more!

Cost: $249 Per Participant

Dates: (Every 2nd Monday of the month beginning in September)

9/9/24, 10/14/24, 11/11/24, 12/9/24, 1/13/25, 2/10/25, 3/10/25, 4/14/25, 5/12/25 (dates can be customized per district needs)

CEUs: A certificate of completion will be provided with acknowledgement of the completion of 11 Hours of professional development.

This Institute is conveniently offered once per month (virtually via live webinar) and each session lasts one hour and 15 minutes. A video recording of each live session will be available to each participant.

PD Course #2: The New Special Education Director/Coordinator Learning Institute

This learning institute is primarily focused on supporting the new or early career special education director and coordinator. Similar to our other institutes, this PD series will focus heavily on everyday, practical issues that special education directors must work through on a regular basis.. We will focus on a number of essential topics including, but not limited to: (1) budgeting; (2) district and state-level legal compliance and reporting; (3) legal elements of the IEP process; (4) best legal and educational practices for discipline; (5) equity regulations compliance; (6) creating a district-wide special education strategic plan; (7) understanding the core requirements of the Endrew F. case; (8) common legal mistakes made by district representatives in the special education process; and much, much more!

Cost: $249 Per Participant

Dates: (Every 1st Tuesday of the month beginning in September) 9/3/24, 10/1/24, 11/5/24, 12/3/24, 1/7/25, 2/4/25, 3/4/25, 4/1/25, 5/6/25(dates can be customized per district needs)

CEUs: A certificate of completion will be provided with acknowledgement of the completion of 11 Hours of professional development.

PD Course #3: Principled Special Education Leadership by the Principal Learning Institute

At the end of the day, the buck most often stops with the principal. When it comes to student decisions, allocating resources, and ensuring that every child receives a FAPE in his or her LRE, the principal has the ultimate responsibility. Unfortunately, although principals have all of this responsibility, they often have NONE of the training. To ensure the proper management and implementation of the IEP process at the building level, principals must be given both the legal and educational knowledge to confidently and appropriately guide this process. In this highly engaging and dynamic institute, principals will be given practical tools, knowledge, and resources to navigate the tricky and challenging waters of special education.

Cost: $249 Per Participant

Dates: (Every 4th Wednesday of the month beginning in September) 9/25/24, 10/23/24, 11/20/24, 12/18/24, 1/22/25, 2/26/25, 3/26/25, 4/23/25, 5/28/25 (dates can be customized per district needs)

CEUs: A certificate of completion will be provided with acknowledgement of the completion of 11 Hours of professional development.

PD Course #4: Writing Legally Compliant and Educationally Meaningful IEPs Learning Institute (for Teachers and Administrators)

This learning institute will provide participants with the legal and educational knowledge to write truly in-depth, individualized, and meaningful IEPs. A major focus will be placed on the development of each of the substantive and core components of the IEP along with how to ensure internal consistency of the entire document. Participants will be give ample opportunity to create, practice, and develop IEPs from scratch!

Cost: $249 Per Participant

Dates: (Every 3rd Thursday of the month beginning in September) 9/19/24, 10/17/24, *11/21/24, *12/19/24, 1/16/25, 2/20/25, 3/20/25, 4/17/25, 5/15/25 (dates can be customized per district needs)

*date revision due to holiday

CEUs: A certificate of completion will be provided with acknowledgement of the completion of 11 Hours of professional development.

The Spedster University In-Person and Live Offerings

Live, In-Person 1/2 Day, Full Day, and Multi-Day Professional Development for Schools and School Districts. Dates for the 2024/2025 school year are filling up fast, so please reach out and lock in your school’s/district’s dates today. Contact Candice Lewis for scheduling and in-person PD offerings at candice.lewis@spedsternow.com.

The Spedster University On-Demand Offerings

One to Two Hour On-Demand, Pre-Recorded live webinars on a variety of special education topics. Contact Candice Lewis for details on our on-demand offerings at candice.lewis@spedsternow.com.

The Spedster University Scheduled and Custom Webinars

Spedster University offers a variety of free and paid webinars throughout the year. We will soon be posting our current schedule of webinars. In addition, we are available to customize webinars and trainings based on the specific needs of each school and/or district.

Schedule of Upcoming Webinars (Coming Soon)

The Spedster University Live Open Office Hours and “Ask the Expert” Sessions

12 Month Continuous, Live Special Education and IEP Expert Open Office Hours

Each month, Spedster will provide one full hour of open office hours with a legal and special education expert to answer any and all questions from the special education department members with regard to the writing and implementation of IEPs

$299 Per Participant

The Spedster University Virtual, Live, One-on-One Coaching for Building Principals

IEP Meeting Bootcamp for Principals: This 3-Part (6 hours total) PD Learning Series will focus on teaching principals the essential legal and educational knowledge they need to successfully navigate dynamic IEP meetings.

$249/Per Participant

candice.lewis@spedsternow.com
877-501-7838

Spedster University