CEASD 2025 Conference

Unleashing Greatness: How Trust and Inspiration Can Transform Our Schools and Classrooms

Great leadership isn’t about control—it’s about trust, belief, and the ability to inspire those around us. In this powerful keynote, Dr. Candy Singh, an award-winning superintendent and influential educational leader, will explore how Trust and Inspire leadership can transform schools and classrooms into environments where educators and students thrive.

Through compelling stories, research-backed insights, and real-world strategies, Dr. Singh will challenge traditional leadership models and offer a new vision—one where trust unlocks potential, and inspiration fuels success. Attendees will walk away with practical tools to cultivate collaboration, unleash greatness in others, and create a culture of belonging and excellence.

As the landscape of Deaf Education evolves, it becomes crucial to examine the policies and legislation that shape the educational experiences and outcomes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students. This presentation will explore the critical intersection of Deaf education, legislative frameworks, and policy advancements that aim to ensure equitable access to language acquisition and the subsequently high-quality K-12 education for DHH students. Also covered will be the key legislative components within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act (EHDI), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  and 
In reviewing state-level legislation like Deaf Children’s Bill of Rights (DCBR) and Language Equity and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K), we will consider how ongoing legislative challenges continue to impact Deaf students' access to education, mental health resources, and opportunities for career advancement.
This event will provide a platform for educators and stakeholders to share insights and develop actionable strategies that may impact the future of Deaf education, ensuring that all students, regardless of hearing status, can thrive in an inclusive and supportive educational environment.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will become acquainted with all legislation impacting Deaf Education.
2. Participants will engage in developing actionable strategies.

Zoom link:
Topic: CEASD 2025- Assessing Deaf Education Legislation and Policy Outcomes
Time: Apr 11, 2025 10:15 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86536173782?pwd=Egdgwz7hVS6Msvp2VF4zkZW001WMmB.1

Meeting ID: 865 3617 3782
Passcode: 762483

---

One tap mobile
+16465588656,,86536173782#,,,,*762483# US (New York)

Effective school-family partnerships are critical for student achievement. This presentation explores actionable strategies to strengthen these partnerships by fostering meaningful communication, leveraging family strengths, and embracing a shared commitment to student success.
Grounded in the belief that families are integral to their child’s education, participants will examine why parents choose specific schools or classrooms and how schools can honor and align with families' aspirations. Central to this discussion is fostering trust and mutual respect, positioning families and educators as equal partners.
The session highlights communication as the cornerstone of collaboration, outlining approaches for building trust and sustaining engagement. Participants will explore strength-based strategies to recognize and utilize families’ unique assets, bridging the gap between home and school to create supportive environments.
Drawing on best practices, real-world examples, and peer networking opportunities, attendees will leave with practical tools to implement in their schools. By establishing meaningful partnerships, educators can better address the individual needs of students, particularly those with disabilities, leading to enhanced student outcomes.
This presentation emphasizes that true collaboration with families not only supports the educational journey but also empowers all stakeholders to contribute to students’ success. Join us to learn, share, and inspire change in your school community.

Learning Objectives

1. Implement a strength-based approach in leveraging the resources and capabilities of families to support their child's learning.
2. Apply strategies for creating meaningful partnerships with parents to support student success academically and socially.

Zoom link: ​https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86807635927​​​

The Center for Systems Awareness is dedicated to "growing compassionate systems change through the cultivation of systems awareness, helping people reorient and choose a different way of engaging with themselves, others, and the world."

In our hyper-connected, polarized, and often overwhelming world, both adults and children face challenges in staying grounded and forming meaningful connections. Many of us also struggle with the concept of “work-life balance” without truly examining what it means or whether it is achievable in our school and work environments.

Compassionate Systems Awareness offers a pathway for students and adults to reconnect with themselves and others, fostering growth, collaboration, and care that transcends differences in beliefs and opinions.

Dr. Herbold, a Master Practitioner, will share ideas and tools designed to bring joy to our work and cultivate appreciation for others. Drawing from her experience implementing Compassionate Systems Awareness at the New Mexico School for the Deaf, she will highlight its potential as an emerging initiative for transformative growth.

Learning Objectives

1. Self-Reflection and Leadership: School administrators will expand upon their understanding of themselves as leaders and collaborators, gaining new perspectives on their roles with a revised concept of self-care.
2. Practical Tools for Impact: School administrators will acquire specific tools to enhance collaboration, promote understanding, and cultivate joy within their school settings.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85459044896

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive prevention-oriented framework that can be used in many educational settings to support students’ behavioral, social, emotional, and learning needs.  It is also a schoolwide approach aimed at implementing a positive learning culture that reflects safety, social competence and healthy school climates.  This workshop also covers the foundational elements of the PBIS model at the American School for the Deaf, including establishing school wide behavioral and learning expectations, implementing an acknowledgement system to reinforce positive behaviors and/or outcomes, and utilizing data for informed decision making.  The purpose of this is to improve overall learning outcomes.

Learning Objectives

1. Integrate PBIS in the design of school's MTSS - Multi tiered support system
2. Customize each tier of PBIS or tailor each tier of PBIS to one's school / program

Zoom link:
Topic: CEASD 2025- Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
Time: Apr 11, 2025 11:15 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https:https://us05web.zoom.us/j/85872220648?pwd=wNrh32C0Z1FSfJ5QohAidBwRNJ5z0Z.1//us05web.zoom.us/j/85872220648?pwd=wNrh32C0Z1FSfJ5QohAidBwRNJ5z0Z.1

Meeting ID: 858 7222 0648
Passcode: 905165

---

One tap mobile
+13092053325,,85872220648#,,,,*905165# US

How can educators create language-rich environments that support the diverse needs of deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students? Drawing from research, observations, and input from language planning committees and beta testing groups, the Language Abilities & Approaches Wheels (LAAWs) framework was developed to guide educators in addressing language development gaps and fostering balanced growth in signacy, literacy, and oracy.

Research highlights the limitations DHH students face in environments prioritizing English, often inaccessible to them. Inspired by frameworks such as the Balanced Literacy Diet (OSIE, 2024) and Dr. Charlotte Enn’s Language and Literacy Framework (2006), LAAWs separates language pathways by modality, as advocated by Anderson (1993) and Nover et al. (1998). This framework features six wheels targeting input and output for signacy, literacy, and oracy, enabling educators to develop intentional language plans.

First tested at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES), LAAWs demonstrated the importance of focused, modality-specific language instruction. Feedback from educators and administrators has been positive, underscoring its potential to transform classroom practices.

While ongoing research explores its broader impact, LAAWs is already empowering educators to create authentic, language-rich environments tailored to DHH students’ unique needs.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will identify four key frameworks addressing language deprivation in deaf and hard of hearing children and articulate the language development gaps these students commonly face.
2. Participants will differentiate between signacy, literacy, and oracy within a language-rich classroom and demonstrate how the LAAWs framework supports the intentional design of effective language environments for deaf and hard of hearing students.

Zoom link:
Topic: CEASD 2025- Creating Language Rich Environments...
Time: Apr 11, 2025 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83538271617?pwd=ZiXbkHysgkb3Q7de8INaPnJW4E3dK1.1

Meeting ID: 835 3827 1617
Passcode: 184326

---

One tap mobile
+13126266799,,83538271617#,,,,*184326# US (Chicago)

This workshop is designed for administrators who seek to enhance their knowledge and understanding of deafblindness and its impact on communication, learning, and daily functioning. Participants will gain an overview of deafblindness, including the causes, challenges, and unique needs of individuals who are both deaf-blind.

The session will cover key topics such as:
Session A (45 Min)
*Characteristics of Deafblindness: Understanding how the combination of hearing and vision loss affects communication, mobility, and access to information.
*Communication Techniques: Exploring alternative communication methods, such as tactile sign language, Braille, and communication boards.
*Environmental Modifications: Strategies for creating accessible spaces that support the inclusion of individuals who are deafblind.

Learning Objective

1. Participants will leave the workshop equipped with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to implement inclusive practices, create supportive environments, and ensure that individuals who are deaf-blind can fully engage in educational, social, and community activities.
2. This session will be interactive, offering opportunities for discussion, case studies, and hands-on demonstrations of assistive technologies. Administrators will walk away with actionable strategies to better support their staff and clients who are deaf-blind, promoting a culture of inclusion and accessibility.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81051196281

The Science of Reading (SOR) has made quite the legislative and curricular impact over the past few years. As with many things, as one size approach to education does not work with D/HH students. Components of SOR, such as phonics instruction, has brought concern to educators working in ASL with students who need that language access. By performing a metanalysis of ASL/English reading research for the past 40 years, focusing on research on skilled Deaf readers, and using the SOR as a framework, Dr. Harrison has created a guide to skilled ASL/English Deaf reading called the Deaf Reading Rope. This tool allows for teachers and schools to consider their literacy curriculum and where it could be strengthened. It also provides a response to policy makers about how bilingual schools are approaching SOR in their curriculum.

Learning Objectives

1. Consider the components of skilled deaf reading and how they manifest within your school.
2. Consider how you will discuss the Science of Reading policy as they are applied to bilingual Deaf schools.

Zoom link:
Topic: CEASD 2025- The Deaf Reading Rope
Time: Apr 11, 2025 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/88397143554?pwd=6IzZM3B0PwkbcFDgAT1x83zaYoKjxr.1

Meeting ID: 883 9714 3554
Passcode: 807128

---

One tap mobile
+13017158592,,88397143554#,,,,*807128# US (Washington DC)

This workshop is designed for administrators who seek to enhance their knowledge and understanding of deafblindness and its impact on communication, learning, and daily functioning. Participants will gain an overview of deafblindness, including the causes, challenges, and unique needs of individuals who are both deaf-blind.
Collaborative Approaches: Working with specialized staff, families, and community resources to provide a holistic support system.
Legal and Educational Frameworks: An overview of laws, policies, and best practices that ensure equal access to services and education for people who are deafblind.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will leave the workshop equipped with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to implement inclusive practices, create supportive environments, and ensure that individuals who are deaf-blind can fully engage in educational, social, and community activities.
2. This session will be interactive, offering opportunities for discussion, case studies, and hands-on demonstrations of assistive technologies. Administrators will walk away with actionable strategies to better support their staff and clients who are deaf-blind, promoting a culture of inclusion and accessibility.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81268316212