Developed with support from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Special Education Academy is designed to equip administrators with the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to lead effective special education programs. Each session focuses on timely, relevant topics and is led by experienced local practitioners and experts in the field.
Each session in the academy is intentionally designed to address the evolving, real-time needs of special education leaders using a “just-in-time” learning approach. To ensure relevance and responsiveness, survey data and feedback are used to inform the development of topics for the sessions. Sessions will be facilitated by experienced practitioners who bring practical insights, continuity, and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing special education leadership today.
Sessions will be held via Zoom, 8:30–10 a.m. on the following dates: October 9, 2025 November 13, 2025 December 11, 2025 January 14, 2026 February 5, 2026 March 5, 2026 April 30, 2026 June 4, 2026
Registration is complimentary and includes 12 Washington State Approved Clock Hours. Register ZOOM Soon after registering (within 24 hours), you will receive a Zoom meeting confirmation with your personal link to join the session. Please follow the link in the confirmation to save the meetings to your calendar. Access is limited to one person/device per email so please do not share your link.
October 10, 2024 Slides: Briefing on Using Nonpublic Agency Placements Recording November 14, 2024 Guiding Slides Slides: Effective Based Practices Recording December 11, 2024 Road to 2028: Leadership Matters Guiding Slides Slides: OSPI, AIMS, UWBothell Recording January 9, 2025 Guiding Slide Policy Brief: SPED, Transportation, MSOC Core Funding Legislative Resources Recording February 5, 2025 Guiding Slide SPED 2025 Legal Update and Refresher | Carlos Chaves, Pacifica Law Group Recording March 6, 2025 Guiding Slide Co-Teaching: Considerations for Implementation | Kristen Rolf, Utah State University Inclusionary Practices Through Systems Alignment | Selah SD Recording May 1, 2025 Engaging with Enduring Conflict: The Work of Adaptive Leaders in Special Education Guiding Slide Engaging With Enduring Conflict: The Work of Adaptive Leaders in Special Education | Angie Balsley, Unified Leadership May 29, 2025 Promoting Independence and Reducing the Reliance on 1:1 Paraeducators Guiding Slide Promoting Independence Slide | Patrick Mulick BCBA Mulick Cheat Sheet: A Shift in Mindsets to Support Independence For Students Independence Plan Sheet Recording
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Contact Ryan Hickerson with registration questions. Contact Kim Fry with general academy questions.
Interested in attending an upcoming conference? Check out the WASA Conference Calendar.