LID CON

Chris Ulmer

Keynote Session Title: The Power of Acceptance and Positivity

Chris Ulmer is the founder of the leading neurodiversity movement, SBSK (Special Books by Special Kids). Chris travels the globe meeting friends with a diagnosis and sharing their stories on social media. He believes that when we take the time to hear someone's story and view life from their perspective, we learn and grow as humans. Together Chris and the SBSK community are promoting conversations on acceptance and inclusion around the world.

• Small Changes, Big Impact (Morgan van Diepen)
  
• Connect and Communicate: Multi-Sensory Literacy & AAC (Catherine Pratt, Danielle Holbrook-Compton)
• Ensuring Successful Implementation of Unique Learning System: A Guide for Administrators (Sierra Herbort, Kimberly Pullen)
  

• Calm, Compassionate Responding (Morgan van Diepen)
  
• Maximizing Engagement: Setting Up Your Classroom for Success with Unique Learning System (Sierra Herbort, Kimberly Pullen)
• The Power of the Pen - Alternative Pencils as Part of Inclusive Writing (Molly Genovese & Kellie Martini)
  

• Actionable Practices for Celebrating Neurodiversity (Morgan van Diepen)
  
• Exploring iPad Accessibility: VoiceOver, Switches, oh my! (Gail Avey-Leal & Allison Biles)
• Vocabulary Selection for Students with Complex Communication Needs (Denise Szymczak)

• Active Engagement for ALL Learners (Rene Zelt)
  
• Communicate with Confidence: How to Support AAC Users in the Classroom (Karen Vinson, Denise Szymczak)
  
• ABA the Grown-Up Way! Individualizing Teacher Support Based on Unique Needs (Anissa Moore)
  

• Boosting Your Student's Behavior I.Q. (Tannos, Monica Kurtz)
  
• Unlocking Potential: Boosting Independence for Students with Complex Needs (Madeleine Bewley & Lacey Zvada)
• The Coaching Cycle: Utilizing Effective Coaching Strategies for Teacher Success (Anissa Moore)
  

• Using Literacy to Drive Instructional Routines (Kendra Everette, Melissa Mathews)
  
• Collaboration Station! Refueling Your Team-Building “Train” to Collaboratively Support Students (Anissa Moore)
• Post-Secondary Education Opportunities For Students With Low-Incidence Disabilities (Chris Nelson)
  

• Brick by Brick: Building the Foundation for Successful Inclusive Practices (Jamie Canales)
  
• Little Hands, Big Ideas: Accessible Play-Based Learning in Early Elementary (Maryteresa Tracy, Angelica Lopez)
• Connect and Communicate: Multi-Sensory Literacy & AAC (Catherine Pratt, Danielle Holbrook-Compton)
  

Allison Billes

Allison is a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments. She has worked in Round Rock ISD for 6 years serving a variety of students. She attended Florida State University and received her B.S. In Visual Impairments Education as well as her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction. Allison enjoys exploring how to utilize assistive technology in cool and creative ways to provide students with opportunities for greater exploration and understanding.

Angelica Lopez

Angelica Lopez is an Early Childhood Specialist at Education Service Center Region 13, bringing over 20 years of professional experience supporting the growth and development of children from birth to age five. A proud third-generation Austinite, prior to joining Region 13 in 2024 she began her professional career in early childhood working in local private facilities from 2006-2010, worked in educational research with MCPER at UT Austin, and most recently spent nearly a decade serving Round Rock ISD as a Pre-K ESL teacher, serving in additional capacities as needed including mentor, coach, and program support. As a self-proclaimed lifelong learner, she received a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy in 2022, holds a Texas Childcare Administrator certification and is dually certified in general and Special Education. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and high-quality early learning experiences for all children.

Anissa Moore

Anissa Moore is an independent educational consultant specializing in the field of early childhood education, autism, ADHD and behavior disorders, and social-emotional learning. A certified teacher, public school administrator, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 30 years of public school experience, Anissa currently consults as a national presenter, program consultant, and motivational speaker for school districts, educational agencies, and businesses across the nation. Anissa balances research-based principles with humor and personal experience in all her public speaking topics, encouraging participants to celebrate the gifts of special needs while addressing and supporting student, parent, and educator challenges. Anissa lives in the San Antonio, Texas, area with her husband and their teenage daughter.

Catherine Pratt

Catherine Pratt is the Low Incidence Disabilities Specialist and a member of the Assistive Technology team at Region 16 Education Service Center in Amarillo, TX.

She is a passionate educator with 10 years of experience in the continuum of special education services. During her time in the classroom, she taught students with various disabilities, including autistic students with complex communication and access needs. She aims to provide equitable opportunities for all learners and support districts in creating access to all environments and experiences for students with complex access needs.

Chris Nelson

Chris Nelson is an Education Specialist with the Education Service Center – Region 13 (ESC Region 13) located in Austin, TX. He is a member of the statewide Child Find and Early to Exit IEP Supports Network and specializes in Secondary Transition Services and Graduation for students receiving special education services as the lead Transition Services contact for ESC Region 13. Chris received his Master’s in Education degree from Texas State University in 2009 and has worked in the field of special education for 15 years as a Special Education Teacher, ARD Facilitator, Special Education Coordinator and Transition Specialist/Coordinator for rural, suburban and urban school districts across Central Texas, and currently works as an Education Specialist for Region 13. Chris has provided training in the field of special education for various stakeholders for topics ranging from general special education compliance with state/federal guidelines, IEP development, data collection and progress monitoring, and through specialized transition services trainings covering various transition services topics ranging from Transition 101/Transition in the Law, SPPI-13 and 14, and Graduation considerations and more for both local education agencies and at statewide conferences to include Aligned!, TAVAC, and the Texas Transition Conference.

Christopher Ulmer

Chris Ulmer is the founder of the leading neurodiversity movement, SBSK (Special Books by Special Kids). Chris travels the globe meeting friends with a diagnosis and sharing their stories on social media. He believes that when we take the time to hear someone's story and view life from their perspective, we learn and grow as humans. Together Chris and the SBSK community are promoting conversations on acceptance and inclusion around the world.

Danielle Holbrook-Compton

Danielle Holbrook Compton is the Autism Consultant and a member of the Assistive Technology team at Region 16 Education Service Center in Amarillo, Tx.

Before coming to Region 16, she worked in Special Education for 14 years. Thirteen of those years were spent teaching students with autism and other developmental disabilities at the middle school level. She has experience working with students with a variety of support needs in multiple settings, including self-contained and in the general education setting. During that time, she also sponsored a peer leadership program called STEP, which promoted disability awareness and acceptance throughout the school and community.

Her students & their families instilled a passion for genuine inclusion and belonging in her that she brings into her role at the Service Center. She believes that ALL students have a right to feel safe, to be heard, and to connect with others in a way that’s meaningful to them.

Debbie Tannos

Debbie Tannos has dedicated 20 years to working in public schools, specializing in supporting students with autism. Her roles have included Classroom Teacher, Behavior Specialist and Special Education Coordinator. Since July of 2024, Debbie has been serving as Autism Specialist for Region 13 ESC. Debbie's extensive experience involves collaborating with classroom teachers to optimize classroom setup and design using evidence-based practices, as well as providing training on implementing these practices effectively.

Debbie believes that the foundation of behavior management lies in preventative strategies. With these tools in place, a classroom teacher can focus on teaching both positive behavior skills and academic skills. Debbie's goal is to create a safe, supportive, and relationship-based classroom environment where all students can thrive.

Denise Szymczak

Denise Szymczak is a speech-language pathologist working for Eanes ISD. Her current caseload includes early-childhood speech services and coordination of AAC services for students aged 3-22. Ms Szymczak has been working in this field since Oct, 1995 and has worked in a range of settings including birth-3 and long-term acute care.

Gail Avey-Leal

Gail is a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments working at Round Rock ISD, and a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University for O&M, and Texas Tech University where she received her Masters in Special Education with a concentration in Visual Impairment, as well as the Deafblind Certificate. She has worked in the field for 6 years serving students with visual and multiple impairments from ages 3 to 22. Her areas of expertise encompass supporting students with Deafblindness, facilitating access to complex communication systems, and providing intensive behavioral support for individuals with high-needs.

Jamie Canales

Jamie Canales has worked in the field of special education for 23 years and is currently serving as Education Specialist: CAN & BVI at Region 17 ESC. She was previously the Centralized Classroom Specialist for Amarillo ISD supporting a continuum of special education programs and worked as the Low-Incidence & Progress in the General Curriculum Specialist for Region 16 ESC where she consulted with school districts, providing staff development and technical assistance for educators. Her job experiences have included special education teacher for students with significant cognitive disabilities as well as parent and in-home trainer. Jamie has a strong desire to see students with disabilities be successful in the school, home, and community setting. Her particular passion is educating others regarding presuming competence. She had the privilege of working on a campus who believed in the power of teamwork and as a result, her students benefited from an inclusive environment.

Karen Vinson

Karen Vinson, MS CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience. A San Antonio native, she graduated from Baylor University with a MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Karen is licensed by the TDLR and holds a certificate of clinical competence from ASHA.

Karen has worked most of her career in the public school system as both a campus-based therapist and member of the assistive technology team. Additionally, she has experience providing services in a private pediatric therapy clinic and as a telehealth contractor.

Karen currently serves as the Speech Language Pathology Educational Specialist at Region 13 Education Service Center. She is passionate about working with individuals who have complicated bodies and complex communication needs.

Kellie Martini

Kellie Martini is concluding her 25-year tenure as an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist in public schools. She currently serves as the Assistive Technology Specialist and Team Lead for Related and Instructional Services at Dripping Springs Independent School District. Throughout her career, she has engaged in professional development opportunities both within the district and at the regional level. Kellie is dedicated to innovative problem-solving and collaborating with educational professionals to develop strategies that support the learning and success of all students.

Kendra Everette

Kendra Everette is a speech-language pathologist working in the area of assistive technology. Kendra presents on Augmentative Alternative Communication topics including literacy and strengths-based neuro affirming multidisciplinary evaluations. Kendra lives in Austin, TX with her husband, teenage son and silly dog!

Kimberly Pullen

Kimberly Pullen is an education professional with over a decade of experience in special education, including roles as a teacher, district instructional coach, and facilitator. She was the first Life Skills teacher at her former school to be named Teacher of the Year. Transitioning into edtech, she has supported educators as a Customer Success Advocate and now as a Solutions Specialist with Everway (formerly n2y and Texthelp), helping districts implement innovative special education technology. Kimberly holds a Journalism degree from Marshall University, a Master’s in Applied Digital Learning from Lamar University, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Instructional Design. Based in The Woodlands, TX, she enjoys traveling, being creative, cheering for the Houston Astros, and spending time with her miniature schnauzers, Shadow and Gordy.

Lacey Zvada

Madeleine Bewley

Ms. Bewley is a dedicated and passionate special education teacher with 8 years of experience supporting elementary and secondary students with diverse learning needs. She believes in creating an inclusive and supportive classroom environment where every child can thrive. Her teaching approach focuses on individualized instruction, fostering independence, and building strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues.

Ms. Bewley currently teaches Functional Academics and leads the LID Department at Veterans’ Hill Elementary in Hutto ISD. Her classroom is designed to address skills through intensive, hands-on learning and the use of researched-based strategies to meet the needs of individual students, while providing opportunities to generalize skills in other settings and environments. She also serves as a mentor for new and aspiring Special Education teachers.

Ms. Bewley is committed to helping every student reach their full potential while celebrating their unique strengths.

Maryteresa Tracy

Maryteresa Tracy is the Program Manager for Early Childhood at Region 13. With extensive experience in special education, she holds a Master of Science degree from Simmons University. Maryteresa began her career at the New England Center for Autism, where she served as a teacher, supervisor, and behavior specialist. She later founded a specialized preschool program for children with Autism in the Boston area, where she worked until relocating to Austin, Texas.

In Austin, Maryteresa became a full-time Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teacher. She has since worked as a teacher and behavior specialist in Texas public schools, earning her administrative degree before joining the Education Service Center Region 13 in July 2009.

Melissa Mathews

Melissa Mathews is a speech-language pathologist and RESNA certified assistive technology professional. Melissa presents on AAC, selective mutism, ed tech, and strengths-based neuro affirming multidisciplinary evaluations and has contributed to school-based eligibility guidelines for the Texas Speech Language & Hearing Association. Melissa lives in Austin, TX, with her husband, 13-year-old son, and two lazy dogs!

Molly Genovese

Molly Genovese is an Occupational Therapist and the Occupational Therapy team lead at Austin ISD. In her role, she oversees training and continuing education for the OT team while providing hands-on support to students across a range of classroom settings. Molly lives in Austin with her husband, pets, and extensive garden.

Monica Kurtz

Morgan van Diepen

Morgan van Diepen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 15 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), working closely with families, educators, and neurodivergent advocates. She is the co-founder of ABA Visualized and the self-published author of a bestselling book collection that ranks among the top titles in Behavioral Disorders in Special Education and Parenting Children with Disabilities. Morgan has presented at national conferences and developed custom trainings for clinical organizations and school districts. She remains committed to making behavior expertise more approachable, compassionate, and accessible to those who need it most.

Rene Zelt

René Zelt, M.Ed., is a dedicated educator with a passion for supporting individuals with extensive support needs and equipping educators with the tools and training necessary to foster active engagement for all learners. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University and has been a key member of the Attainment Company team as a Training and Accounts Manager since 2016.

Prior to joining Attainment, René spent 17 years serving students, teachers, administrators, and families in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. Her diverse roles included Special Education Teacher, Behavior Specialist, In-Home and Parent Trainer, Curriculum Coach, and Programming Coordinator. Throughout her career, she has specialized in working with individuals with extensive support needs, ensuring they have access to meaningful instruction and opportunities for engagement.

René is committed to empowering educators with high-quality instructional tools and research-based strategies that promote inclusive practices. She strives to help educators create learning environments where all students can actively participate and thrive.

Sierra Herbort

Sierra Herbort is an Account Executive at Everway (formerly n2y and Texthelp) based in Austin, Texas. Previously a Certified Child Life Specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital and Dell Children’s Medical Center, she supported children with autism and other developmental delays in understanding, communicating about, and coping with medical procedures, new diagnoses, hospitalization, and therapies. She led committees advocating for the rights of patients with disabilities, wrote grants to support this population of patients, and led hospital-wide trainings on developmentally appropriate best practices. Now, Sierra leverages her experience to help school districts optimize curriculum implementation, high-quality data collection, and special education funding. A proud UT Austin and Texas state grad, Sierra loved Austin so much she never left -- you can find her camping at Bastrop State Park, playing sand volleyball at Aussie's, or doing the crossword at Epoch most weekends.