Workshops & Schedule

with Michele Gardner (All In for Inclusive Education)

Join ALL IN Executive Director, Michele Gardner, as she takes us on a journey into the “forest” of inclusion and identifies the frameworks and mindset shifts that are most vital to build a sustainable, authentically inclusive system. How do we ensure that we are sending the messages of membership and belonging that students, families and educators need to hear and feel? How do we begin to shift mindset and misconceptions around inclusive education? What trees do we need to nourish and grow in our inclusion forest? Let’s begin to shift the tide with, and on behalf of, ALL students. We’re ALL IN, are you?

with Ashley Pollitt (The College of New Jersey)

In this session, we will explore the foundations of differentiation as a pathway to access, ensuring that all learners have equitable opportunities to participate. We will review four core elements of differentiation: content (what students learn), process (how they learn), product (how they demonstrate learning), and learning environment (the classroom climate and structure). Through collaborative brainstorming, we will generate practical, accessible strategies that educators can directly apply in classrooms. By the end of the session, attendees will leave not only with actionable ideas, but also with a renewed commitment to the ongoing work of creating access for every learner.

with Kate Sullivan (K Sullivan Consulting)

Inclusive literacy instruction thrives when every learner has multiple chances to think, speak, and participate. This session explores how increasing students’ opportunities to respond (OTR) can boost engagement, build confidence, and support literacy growth for all learners—especially those with diverse needs. Participants will experience evidence-based strategies for reading and writing instruction that make participation equitable and active, from quick-response routines to collaborative discussion structures. Walk away with ready-to-implement tools that enhance engagement, promote belonging, and align with MTSS and UDL principles in today’s inclusive classrooms.

with Tim Rohrer & Amy Rohrer (Tips4Inclusion)

Tim Rohrer, a young adult with autism will share his perspectives of what helped him transition from school to the adult world. He will share his experiences that he gained in school, the opportunities he took advantage of and share how inclusion was vital to his success. He will provide his tips on how to help transition, accommodate and include adults with disabilities into the workplace. In addition, he will share his communication tips and ideas to create positive inclusive working environments for individuals with disabilities.

with Aaron Lanou (Aaron Lanou Consulting, LLC)

Learning is like climbing a mountain: effort and challenge are part of the journey. But too often, the way we “do school” adds unnecessary barriers that block students’ path to learning. This is particularly true for neurodivergent students.

In this workshop, participants will discover the strengths and needs of neurodivergent students, surface the hidden demands of school that create barriers to learning, and explore tier-one, whole-class strategies that support students’ executive functioning, language, and sensory needs in the classroom. Leave with doable practices for the inclusive classroom that are designed to be a match for neurodivergent students.

with Laura Martinez (All In for Inclusive Education)

This session explores how flexible grouping and the Gradual Release of Responsibility model can be used to design inclusive learning environments where all students thrive. Participants will learn how to plan intentionally for student variability, balance support with independence, and apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to promote engagement and access. Through practical examples and reflection, educators will gain tools to shift classroom practices from teacher-led to student-driven learning; empowering every learner to take ownership of their growth while maintaining a strong sense of belonging.

with Michelle Lockwood (All In for Inclusive Education)

Research indicates that in recent years problem behaviors at school have increased significantly since pre-pandemic levels. Many students still appear to be developmentally behind in socialization, self-regulation and other executive functioning skills, often resulting in misbehavior. Now more than ever teachers need effective tools to address these changing needs of their students, rather than relying on "traditional" classroom management and discipline practices. This session is designed to help participants apply a layered or tiered approach to selecting evidence-based behavioral interventions to integrate into classroom management plans so that all learners can be successful. Participants will also be given tools they can use to evaluate their existing class behavioral supports, structures, and systems.

with Julie Lang (All In for Inclusive Education)

Discover the power of 10 evidence-based, high-impact instructional practices that reliably boost student learning in any classroom. Through engaging activities and examples, participants will learn how to apply these practices to support diverse learners effectively. Participants will leave the session with actionable tools, collaborative insights, and a renewed confidence in your ability to drive meaningful student outcomes.

with Vanessa Lombardo & Madison Bronstein (TCNJ Assistive Technology Center)

This session focused on school administrators offers a practical, evidence-informed overview of best practices for implementing Assistive Technology (AT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in educational settings. Grounded in inclusive frameworks like SETT, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and the Center for Inclusive Technology and Educational System (CITES), this presentation will guide attendees through key strategies for selecting, trialing, and sustaining AT and AAC supports in schools that promote access, equity, and student agency.

with Rachael Graves & David Kallen (Mainland Regional High School)

This session explores how mastery learning, paired with modified grading practices, can transform inclusion classrooms into spaces where all students have the opportunity to succeed. We’ll dive into practical strategies for implementing mastery-based approaches that honor diverse learning needs, with a special focus on how grading can be adapted to reflect growth, independence, and understanding. Using our high school Algebra 1 inclusion class as an example, we’ll share how we’ve restructured grading to support mastery learning, what our day-to-day classroom routines look like, and how these changes have impacted student engagement and achievement.

with Lauren Baldino Ed.D. (All In for Inclusive Education)

This session explores the six models of co-teaching and how educators can leverage the strengths of both teachers in the room to support diverse learners. Participants will gain practical strategies for building strong co-teaching partnerships, clarifying roles, and ensuring both teachers are actively engaged in instruction.

with Mike Marotta (The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center at Disability Rights New Jersey)

This session explores how the CITES Framework helps districts ensure that innovative technology supports all learners through collaboration among IT, EdTech, and Assistive Technology teams. With New Jersey selected as one of only three states partnering with CITES on this national initiative, participants will learn how to build inclusive learning teams and develop policies that promote equitable, accessible technology use for all students—including those with disabilities. As schools increasingly rely on digital tools for learner success, the session offers practical guidance and resources to help districts align technology decisions with inclusive practices and strengthen collaboration across departments.

with Michele Gardner & Annie Corley-Hand (All In for Inclusive Education)

The school readiness narrative has placed an unfair burden on young children, measuring them against narrow academic, social, and behavioral expectations. This deficit-based view not only overlooks natural developmental variability but also shifts responsibility away from schools, preventing them from creating inclusive, responsive, and developmentally appropriate environments.

with Corinne Catalano, Roseanne Yezzo, Amanda Bottino (Montclair State University)

Young children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis each have individual profiles and needs. This workshop will explore the characteristics that contribute to this diagnosis and provide participants a way to reframe these behaviors so that they support the development of young children. Evidence-based strategies that support the inclusion of children with an ASD diagnosis will be discussed and case examples will be provided.

with Nicole Cammarota-Verasco (Kingsway Regional SD)

This session explores Collaborative Consultation—an evolved co-teaching model that integrates direct and indirect special education services to enhance student access, teacher capacity, and inclusive culture. Participants will learn how schools can shift from viewing co-teaching as a purely in-class model to a flexible, consultative approach that empowers educators to deliver specially designed instruction (SDI), embed accommodations, and use data-driven practices—without requiring both teachers’ physical presence in every lesson.

Through case examples, model analysis, and guided reflection, attendees will discover how collaborative consultation strengthens general education instruction, promotes equitable practices, and increases student outcomes.

with Sara Jutcovich (All In for Inclusive Education)

This interactive, hands-on session will guide educators in creating inclusive classroom spaces that support all learners. Participants will explore different co-teaching models, sketch and analyze classroom layouts, and plan for effective instruction. Educators will leave with practical tools for classroom planning, strategies for delivering specially designed instruction (SDI) in co-taught settings, and a clearer understanding of co-teaching, SDI, and teacher roles.

with Rebecca Nash & Catherine Lucey-Meagher (The Arc of NJ)

This workshop invites transition planning team members to reimagine transition planning using a strengths-based approach emphasizing empowerment, inclusion, and self-determination. Through a collaborative activity and practical tools, participants will leave with ready-to-use strategies and materials to utilize strength-based approaches into IEPs, transition assessments, and student-led planning.

with Mike Marotta (The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center at Disability Rights New Jersey)

AI is THE hot topic in education. Tools are coming out every day that promise to radically change the way we complete tasks. Beyond the tools....let’s talk about how this impacts education and promotes a culture of inclusivity. This session will focus on strategies to ensure accessibility so that all learners have an opportunity to benefit from this revolutionary technology innovation. Come prepared to explore AI tools and participate in conversations about these important issues.

with Jordan Fagan (All In for Inclusive Education)

Self-regulation is a critical foundation for learning, behavior, and emotional well-being—yet it’s a skill that must be taught, modeled, and reinforced. In this session, participants will explore practical strategies for supporting student self-regulation through intentional modeling, co-regulation, and explicit instruction. We’ll also examine how educators’ own regulation practices influence classroom climate and student success. Attendees will leave with concrete tools to integrate self-regulation supports into daily routines and instruction, fostering greater independence and resilience in students. This interactive session will blend reflection, discussion, and actionable strategies for immediate classroom implementation.

with Michelle Lockwood (All In for Inclusive Education)

Student motivation and engagement in learning are critical factors for academic success. However, engagement and motivation are separate but related concepts that are often confused. During this session participants will explore ways to create class environments where students experience a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness which increases engagement in learning and fosters motivation. Tips, tools and other resources for increasing engagement in any subject area and fostering motivation will be provided.

with Allison Gollin (Gollin Educational Consulting Services, LLC)

When students struggle, parents and teachers can easily end up on opposite sides of the conversation. This session reframes those moments as opportunities for connection, not conflict. Through real examples and practical strategies, participants will learn how to build trust, share difficult news with empathy, and collaborate with families to support student growth. Attendees will leave with tools to strengthen home–school relationships, structure effective meetings, and communicate with compassion and clarity—gaining insight into fostering partnerships that empower both students and their families.

with Dr. Jeffrey Kontio (Rutgers University)

This workshop takes the informal concept of Inclusive Design for Learning (IDL) and seeks to formalize it as a practical framework for all levels of education. Leveraging the foundational work of Universal Design for Learning (and Universal Design more broadly), inclusive educational practices, and the Social Model of Disability, IDL reimagines barriers not as student deficits but as design challenges. Participants will explore how both everyday practices and technology, ranging from simple built-in accessibility features for our physical and digital world to comprehensive learning platforms, can be used to bridge gaps and foster equitable access. Through discussion and applied strategies, attendees will leave with a clearer sense of how to intentionally design inclusive learning environments that benefit all students.