Technical Assistance and Professional Development
The Office of Exceptional Children offers information and activities of evidence-based practices through trainings, resources, and technical assistance to support improved outcomes for students with disabilities, and also offers information to assist schools with recruitment and retention of qualified staff.
For current offerings from the OEC check the EC Calendar of Events
Professional Development
The Office of Exceptional Children, including the North Carolina State Improvement Project, offers a variety of training opportunities and courses on implementing evidence based practices for students with disabilities. These offerings can be found across three different locations:
- OEC Professional Development Calendar
- Asynchronous Courses in NCEES
- NCSIP courses such as Reading Research to Classroom Practice and Foundations of Math are offered across the state throughout the year by certified instructors. You can access all offering on the NCSIP Calendar of Events.
Don't see the resource you are looking for regarding support for students with disabilities at the district, school, or classroom level? Use our Professional Learning, Technical Assistance, and/or Coaching Request Form to submit your request.
Please note that only district or school level leadership should submit a professional learning request. If the EC Administrator does not submit the request, they will be notified and included in all follow-up conversations.
EC Annual Conference
The Exceptional Children Division of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, through its strategic plan, is committed to increasing the performance of students with disabilities, thereby enhancing their ability to graduate and achieve productive post-secondary outcomes. It is critical that all who have a stake in impacting the lives of our students – parents/families, special education teachers, related service personnel, psychologists, regular education teachers, administrators – collaborate to help them thrive each day and into the future.
The Exceptional Children Division is pleased to invite colleagues from across the state to join us for the Annual Conference on Exceptional Children. This annual collegial event is an opportunity to share and learn about innovations and exciting practices to help exceptional children achieve.
Numerous enriching activities include:
- An uplifting Plenary Session with inspiring keynote presentation;
- 90+ informative Instructional Sessions covering the broad spectrum of exceptional children education;
- Educators of Excellence reception honoring outstanding North Carolina special educators;
- Poster Display of innovative programs and practices;
- School-Based Enterprise Bazaar showcasing products created and marketed by North Carolina Public School students with disabilities;
- Exhibitor/Vendor area that offers interactions with organizations and companies specializing in serving exceptional children.
Come be an integral part of this annual gathering in Greensboro of more than 3,000 professionals and parents, all working together to improve educational outcomes for all students!
Conference Theme: Charting the Course to Exceptional Outcomes
Save the Dates!- Annual OEC Conference on Exceptional Children
- Wednesday, November 13, 2024
- Pre-Conference Institutes
- Recruitment Fair (pm)
- Thursday, November 14, 2024
- General Conference
- Educator of Excellence (pm)
- Friday, November 15, 2024
- ½ Day General Conference
- ½ Day Special Meetings
Participant Registration
General Conference Strands, Sessions, and Schedule
- Instructional Practices - Academic and Behavior
- Early Childhood
- Parent Involvement
- Transition
To learn more about our general conference session for the 2024 Conference on Exceptional Children explore our 2024 Conference on Exceptional Children General Conference Sessions Spreadsheet. Additional, details about our 2024 Conference can be found in our 2024 Conference Schedule.
Educator of Excellence (EOE) Nominations
Vendor/Exhibitor Registration
Recruitment & Retention
2023 Summit Resources
- GET-Growing Excellent Teachers-Keynote
- Attracting, Recruiting and Retaining Related Service Providers
- Beginning Teachers' Perspectives
- Building a Sustainable Program to Support New EC Teacher Retention
- Creative Solutions to Recruit and Retain Teachers in the Outer Banks
- District Social-Emotional/Behavioral Health and School Psychology Teaming: Capacity Building via General Education
- Growing Greatness: Recruiting Future Teachers from the Ground Up
- Supporting Special Education Teachers: A Continuum of District Level Support
- More (em)Power to You: Empowering Teachers to Soothe Burnout Through Coaching
- Recruiting/Retaining Our Own: IDEAS+ at UNCG
- Retaining Special Education Teachers through a Comprehensive Coaching Model
- TA's to Teachers in NC
- 20 Years Pirate Strong…Grow your own Teachers with ECU’s Partnership Teach ONLINE Program
- With Change Comes Opportunity- CEC Opportunities/Recording
- You Can't Give from an Empty Cup: Addressing Secondary Trauma & Burnout in the Public Education/power point
- You Can't Give from an Empty Cup: Addressing Secondary Trauma & Burnout in the Public Education/Article
2021 Summit Resources
- The Future is Local Leveraging: Grow Your Own Programs to Address Shortages in Your Community - Summit2021
- You Can't Give from an Empty Cup: Understanding the Intersectional Impacts of Trauma-Support Work on Educators - qPM6QRNj
- Recruiting and Retaining the Best: Leveraging HLPs for Face-to-Face and Remote Instruction - no password
- Panel of Diverse Teachers Telling Their Stories - Why be an educator? - 5vFMfFWM
- Top Ten Financial Things that Early Career Teachers Need to Know: How Administrators Can Keep Them in It to Win It! - UexCbYz3
- Recruiting and Retaining Career Changers in Special Education - no password
- Recruitment and Retention of Low Incidence Disability Professional: Hearing and Vision - LowIncidence1
- Diversifying the Profession: How AACTE is engaging EPPs to Recruit and Retain Diverse Educator Candidates - no password
- How NC SIP Leadership Supports Recruitment and Retention - Summit21
- NC Pathways to Teaching Excellence - no password
- Teacher Retention and Recruitment in the Virtual Setting - Virtual2
- Obtaining and Maintaining Talented School Psychological Service Providers - yRJX5NnP
- Western Governors University and Bladen County Schools Partnership - EeCZ53w4
- A Winning Collaboration: EPP/LEA Education Taskforce - MppnX2Ym
- Recruiting and Retaining Arizona Special Educators - Summit21
- Preparing the First Year Special Education Teacher - no password
- Voices from the Field: Strategies for Recruiting and Supporting African American Teachers - PdpHPwF5
- Call Me MiSTER & STEP at WCU: Tale of Two Teacher Recruitment Programs to Diversify the Pipeline - RRSummitRecording1
- Mindfulness as a Tool for Longevity in the Field - no password
- Recruiting and Retaining Significant Cognitive Disabilities Teachers - 4GpYK8Zm
- PROGRESS Center: Resources and Supports for Local Educators - 3nQMEAqa
- Keynote-- Dr. Mary T. Bronwell: "Attract, Prepare, and Retain: A Three Part Strategy for Addressing Shortages" - no password
- Keynote-- Dr. Cathy Kea: "Leavers, Movers, or Stayers: It's Not About Recruitment, but Retention - no password
EC Administrators Spring Institute
The Office of Exceptional Children annually provides an opportunity for professional development, policy, and initiative updates to EC Administrators and their administrative staff through sessions at the Spring Institute. This professional development is designated to provide opportunities for EC administrators to improve, enhance, and support their delivery of special education and related services.
This page is under construction.
Summer Institutes
The 2024 Office of Exceptional Children Summer Institutes is now open for registration. This year we are hosting two weeks of virtual institutes. Please reference the Summer Institutes Guide for information around the institutes offered, registration, payment, and much more!
Registration closed on June 25, 2024.
Annually, the Office of Exceptional Children schedules a series of Summer Institutes that hosts a wide variety of topics. This professional development is designed to provide opportunities for administrators, teachers and related services personnel seeking in-service training in the education of exceptional children. A list of summer institutes is provided, and registration may include a minimal fee for this professional development.
Federal Reporting Office Hours
The Office of Exceptional Children will have staff available for Federal Reporting Office Hours to provide additional support to districts with Federal Reporting questions. Student level data cannot be shared in an open forum; therefore, only general reporting and data correction questions may be addressed during the office hours. Student level data questions must be submitted via a ZenDesk ticket. To ask questions about upcoming federal reporting, join the call using the links listed below.
August 14, 2024
10:00-11:00 am
2:00-3:00 pm
Federal Reporting Office Hours 08/14/2024 Recording Password: 43uFhWrG
October 2, 2024
10:00-11:00 am
2:00-3:00 pm
Federal Reporting Office Hours 10/02/2024 Recording Password: cKYpijD9
December 2, 2024
10:00-11:00 am
2:00-3:00 pm
February 5th, 2025
10:00-11:00 am
Federal Office Hours 2024 Resources and FAQs
Federal Reporting Office Hours FAQs
May 2024
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - May 2024
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 05/01/2024
Password: JhhVCSj5
April 2024
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - April 2024
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 04/03/2024
Password: MpeqCUg3
March 2024
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - March 2024
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 03/06/2024
Password: 7mKpJh3f
February 2024
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - February 2024
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 02/07/2024
Password: JifPuhs2
Federal Office Hours 2023 Resources and FAQs
Federal Reporting Office Hours FAQs
December 2023
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - December 2023
- Federal Reporting Office hours 12/06/2023
Password: 42Ejxsmb
November 2023
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - November 2023
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 11/01/2023
Password: wSj2smsn
October 2023
- ECATS Institute 23ECCon PPT
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - October 2023
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 10/04/2023
Password: VpM7Yt2Q
September 2023
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - September 2023
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 09/06/2023
Password: TmNUXMH4
August 2023
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q & A - August 2023
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 08/02/2023
Password: Uf2NxpZU
July 2023
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q & A - July 2023
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 07/05/2023
Password: SkSrA5cQ
May 2023
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q & A - May 2023
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 05/03/2023
Password: 7JyyD4Ji
April 2023
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q & A - April 2023
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 04/05/2023
Password: KjSmpfM3
February 2023
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q & A - February 2023
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 02/01/2023
Password: UikNkzR3
January 2023
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q & A - January 2023
- Federal Reporting Office Hours 01/04/2023
Password: xSpQbmX3
Federal Office Hours 2022 Resources and FAQs
Federal Reporting Office Hours FAQs
December 2022
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - December 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours morning session - 12/07/2022
Password:gPTFNBh8 - Federal Reporting Office Hours afternoon session - 12/07/2022
Password: hAPMpMP6
November 2022
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - November 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours morning session - 11/02/2022
Password: cMCcTmC4 - Federal Reporting Office Hours afternoon session - 11/02/2022
Password: TpVSfvX2
October 2022
September 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours September 2022
- Federal Report Office Hours Session - Password: fSu933ec
August 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours August 2022 - Tips & Reminders
- Federal Reporting Office Hours Session 08/03/2022 - Password: vC2KA75G
July 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours July 2022 - Tips and Reminders
- Federal Reporting Office Hours session 07/06/2022 - Password: bPukTbH6
June 2022
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A -June 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours session 06/01/2022 - Password: Zu4VFqdM
May 2022
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - May 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours session 05/04/2022 - Password: mDXjSid4
April 2022
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - April 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours pm session 04/06/2022 - Password: wJ2bx26r
March 2022
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - March 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours am session 03/02/2022 - Password: 65hXJUFG
- Federal Reporting Office Hours pm session 03/02/2022 - Password: pTMiTpP9
February 2022
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - February 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours am session 02/02/2022 - Password: bCASwTZ9
- Federal Reporting Office Hours pm session 02/2/2022 - Password: JkniViZ3
January 2022
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - January 2022
- Federal Reporting Office Hours am session 01/03/2022 - password AbUdExp2
- Federal Reporting Office Hours pm session 01/03/2022 - password yVtJpUx3
Federal Office Hours 2021 Resources and FAQs
Federal Reporting Office Hours FAQs
December 2021
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - December 2021
- Federal Reporting Office Hours am session 12/01/2021 - password eMmMMuG7
- Federal Reporting Office Hours pm session 12/01/2021 - password MhPMC57M
November 2021
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - November 2021
- Federal Reporting Office Hours am session 11/03/2021 - password nWjVMyV7
- Federal Reporting Office Hours pm session 11/03/2021 - password 538AwQNP
October 2021
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - October 2021
- Federal Reporting Office Hours am session 10/06/2021 - password wMMjZ9Tk
- Federal Reporting Office Hours pm session 10/06/2021 - password uJ3RMT7b
September 2021
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - September 2021
- Federal Reporting Office Hours am session 09/01/2021 - password JtBUTN32
- Federal Reporting Office Hours pm session 09/01/2021 - password hNnJnxQ8
August 2021
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - August 2021
- Federal Reporting Hours AM Session 08/4/2021 - password Nnz4d8ju
- Federal Reporting Hours PM Session 08/04/2021 - password rPyNvtH2
July 2021
- Welcome to Federal Data Q&A - July 2021
- Federal Reporting Hours AM Session 07/07/2021 - password yPFBMB23
- Federal Reporting Hours PM Session 07/07/2021 - password hN6tb5vD
June 2021
- Welcome to the Federal Data Q&A - June 2021
- Federal Reporting Hours AM Session 06/02/2021 - password 2Hr32TyN
- Federal Reporting Hours PM Session 06/02/2021 - password SpBGqGG3
Significant Disproportionality
Having significant disproportionality means that students of a particular race/ethnicity are significantly more likely than their other-race peers to be identified as students with disabilities, identified in a particular disability category, placed in a particular educational setting, or suspended/expelled as a disciplinary measure.
These resources should be used for staff seeking knowledge about significant disproportionality, its impact, and the areas of identification. The site also covers how significant disproportionality is calculated, requirements when identified, and the tools used to develop Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS).
PSUs and Stakeholders are encouraged to utilize the resources much like a menu, choosing the sections as they apply to their interests and needs.
National Trends
Disproportionality is one measure of educational equity. It occurs when students from a racial/ethnic group are identified for special education, placed in more restrictive settings, or disciplined at markedly higher rates than their peers. The federal government considers disproportionality “significant” when the overrepresentation exceeds a threshold defined by each state.
National data show significant racial/ethnic inequities in the educational experiences of students with disabilities.
Significant Disproportionality in Special Education: Current Trends and Actions for Impact.
Impacts of Misidentification
Inappropriately identifying students for special education has short-term and long-term negative impacts, especially on students of color. Consequences include missed opportunities to be exposed to a rigorous curriculum, lower expectations, and fewer opportunities for successful transitions to postsecondary education. Social consequences of inappropriate disability identification include students' loss of self-esteem, exposure to greater stigma, and more racial separation in classrooms.
Impacts of Placement in Restrictive Settings
Placing students in segregated environments exacerbates achievement gaps, as researchers have found that "students in general education classrooms have better academic and employment outcomes than students placed in separate spaces" (National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2020). Studies have shown that students with disabilities taught in inclusive settings were much more likely to graduate on time and be employed. Students who are educated in segregated settings may be exposed more often to educational environments with fewer resources, resulting in missed opportunities and, ultimately, poor outcomes for those students. For example, students in segregated schools may be excluded from extracurricular activities or lack access to graduation imperative courses.
Impacts of Discipline
Disparities in discipline by race/ethnicity are unfair, and there is evidence that they can have traumatic consequences lasting a lifetime. In addition, "there is no evidence suggesting that removing children from school instead of teaching pro-social skills and addressing the behavior at the moment actually improves behavior. Further, students who are suspended or expelled are more likely to be held back, drop out, or enter the juvenile justice system when compared to their peers".
Educational Equity and Significant Disproportionality Webinar Series
NC State Board of Education, Office of Exceptional Children and Integrated Academic Behavior Systems
IDEA requires States and public school units (PSUs) to take steps to determine the existence of and address significant disproportionality in special education.
The purpose of the webinar series on Educational Equity and Significant Disproportionality are designed to inform and guide Public School Units (PSUs) as they seek to eliminate significant disproportionality. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations were created to promote equity in IDEA and ensure that children with and without disabilities are properly identified and receive necessary services, address over and under identification, placement, and discipline with respect to race and ethnicity.
Session 15 - January 25, 2024: Solidarity and Sustainability for Educators
Presenters: Deepa Iyer and UyenThi Tran Myhre
Deepa Iyer
Deepa Iyer is Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Building Movement Project, where she leads projects on solidarity and social movements, conducts trainings, uplifts narratives through the Solidarity Is This podcast, and facilitates solidarity strategy for cohorts and networks. Previously, she served as executive director of South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) for a decade, and also held positions at Race Forward, the US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center, and the Asian American Justice Center. Over the course of two decades supporting social movements, Deepa has played many roles: weaver, frontline responder, storyteller, and guide. Her political and community homes include Asian American, South Asian, Muslim, and Arab ecosystems where she spent fifteen years in policy advocacy and coalition building in the wake of the September 11th attacks and ensuing backlash.
UyenThi Tran Myhre
UyenThi (pronounced “Wing-T”) Tran Myhre is the Movement Building Coordinator with the Building Movement Project, supporting communications work, curriculum development and trainings, and solidarity cohorts. Prior to joining BMP, UyenThi held leadership roles at the YMCA of the North Equity Innovation Center and the University of Minnesota Women’s Center, where she worked with college students, K-12 and higher education faculty and staff, as well as nonprofit professionals in various sectors. She holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Certificate in Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota. UyenThi is interested in storytelling and narrative-shifting as strategies for social change and creating a better world. She is part of the team at Project Yellow Dress, a platform uplifting voices and stories from the Southeast Asian diaspora. As a daughter of refugees, writer, and facilitator, her work explores the intersections of family, feminism, abolition, and beyond, often through a pop culture lens.
January 25, 2024 Recording (Password: EESDWeb15)
Session 16 - February 29, 2024: Understanding the Pursuit of Educational Equity in K12 Education
Presenters: Dr. Kisha Daniels
Dr. Kisha Daniels
Dr. Daniels has worked extensively in the areas of teaching and learning with children, public school teachers, administrators, and university students for over 25 years. She holds a BA in elementary education, master’s degrees in school counseling and administration, a specialist certification in curriculum and instruction, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a teacher and administrator in large, urban school districts, she has devoted her work to utilizing and researching engaging curriculum that supports diverse learning styles. She currently teaches Service-Learning courses in the Program in Education and the African and African American Studies department, advises undergraduates and is the Program Director of DukeEngage Chicago. Notably, she is actively involved with building and sustaining community partnerships to extend the scholarship of teaching through service learning. This has guided her path to focus on teacher quality, collaborative teaching, and community engagement, to which she is credited with published books, journal articles, a university Teaching Excellence and international research awards.
February 29, 2024 Recording (Password: EESDWeb16)
Session 18 - April 25, 2024: Equitable Access to Dispute Resolution Resources
Presenters: Leigh Mobley
Leigh Mobley currently serves as the Section Chief for the Policy, Monitoring, and Audit (PMA) section at the Office of Exceptional Children (OEC). With a strong background in dispute resolution, Leigh has made significant contributions to the OEC and the PMA section as a Dispute Resolution Consultant. Throughout her career, Leigh has held various leadership roles, honing her skills in strategic planning, problem-solving, and team management.
April 25, 2024 Recording (Password: EESDWeb18)
Session 8-January 26, 2023: Educationally Equitable IDEA Evaluation and Identification Practices
Presenter: Lynn Makor and Bridgette LeCompte
Lynn Makor is the Consultant for Psychological Services and Coordinator of TBI training within the Office of Exceptional Children. At the state level, Lynn regularly uses workforce data to advocate for and address efforts in improving the pipeline and retention of highly qualified school psychological service providers. Lynn's efforts during the past decade have been targeted on developing both state and district level policies designed to advance equitable evaluation and identification practices for students with special needs. Lynn is also responsible for coordination and maintenance of the North Carolina Registry of Approved Providers for TBI.
Bridgette LeCompte is the Consultant for Occupational Therapy to the NC Department of Public Instruction and an Assistant Professor in the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at UNC Chapel Hill. Bridgette is passionate about promoting educational equity and occupational justice through the provision of contextual and collaborative services, implementation of OT’s full scope of practice in schools, and OT involvement in MTSS to support the needs of all students and staff.
January 26, 2023 Recording (Password: EESDWeb8)
Session 9-February 23, 2023: Essential Principles for Teaching and Learning in Culturally Diverse Classroom
Presenter: Dr. Khalilah O'Farrow-Boulware
Dr. O’Farrow-Boulware is a Consultant with the Office of Exceptional Children and Adjunct Instructor for NC A&T State University. Prior to pursuing her doctorate in special education, she served as a special education teacher. It is Dr. O’Farrow-Boulware's goal to incorporate her background knowledge and experience as an educator and consultant by sharing information and strategies on how educators and administrators can create learning experiences that promote equity, strengthen students’ self-esteem, and encourage respect for all learners.
February 23, 2023 Recording (Password: EESDWeb9)
Session 10 - March 23, 2023: Advancing Educational Equity in Dual Language Programs
Presenter: Dr. Silvia Romero-Johnson
Dr. Romero-Johnson is a K-12 educational leader, administrator, and advocate for multilingual learners. Dr. Romero-Johnson currently serves as the Director of Bilingual Programs and Instructional Equity for the Verona Area School District in Verona, Wisconsin. Her career has been devoted to advancing the needs of bilingual and multilingual learners by leading for systemic improvements in school districts that utilize asset-based approaches.
Session 11 - April 27, 2023: Calling All Educators to Choose Boldness
Presenter: Dr. Amanda Florence Garcia Goodenough
Dr. Amanda Goodenough is the founder and LEO (Lead Executive Officer) of Goodenough Consulting. Dr. Goodenough is a dedicated educator operating from a cultural humility framework to center and elevate historically marginalized voices, promote belongingness and mattering, disrupt structural inequities, and advance intersectional social and racial justice.
April 27, 2023 Recording (Password: EESDWeb11)
Session 12 - September 29, 2023: Inclusive Spaces & Culturally Sensitive Policies for Indigenous Students
Presenter: Tricia Zunker
Tricia Zunker has served as Associate Justice of the Ho-Chunk Nation Supreme Court since 2013. She has also served as President of the Wausau Board of Education, is founding director of Central Wisconsin Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee (a 501(c)3 organization), and is a tribal member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. She is a first generation college graduate, earning a B.A. from University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Juris Doctorate from UCLA School of Law. In addition to her work as Ho-Chunk Supreme Court Justice, she is a longtime educator. She teaches concurrently in the Legal Studies department at University of Maryland, in the Criminal Justice department at Colorado State University-Global Campus, and for over 16 years, serves as law professor at California School of Law, where she is also Dean of Faculty. She is a member of the ACLU of Wisconsin Board of Directors and a member of the Midwest Environmental Advocates Board of Directors. Tricia’s lived experiences have instilled in her a passion for public education, social justice, protecting the environment, ensuring fundamental rights and achieving representation reflective of society. She resides in Wausau, Wisconsin with her twelve-year-old son and their rescue pup, Diesel.
September 29, 2023 Recording (Password: EEsD2023-01)
Session 13 - October 19, 2023: Federal Equity Plan Requirements
Presenters: Dr. Danesha Smith and Dr. Pauletta Thompson
Dr. Damesha A. Smith is a leader, change agent, and visionary who has a heart for teaching, learning and children. She has served in several capacities. She began teaching 8th grade language arts and social studies. She served as literacy coach, mentor for the beginning teachers, assistant principal and Federal Programs Assistant Director, and middle school principal, where she was named 2021-22 Principal of the Year for her district. Dr. Smith also served as a university supervisor and an English professor. Currently, Dr. Smith is a Program Administrator for the Department of Public Instruction and an adjunct professor. Dr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in history education from Winston-Salem State University, Master of School Administration from East Carolina University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from North Carolina State University. Dr. Smith is also the founder, owner, and operator of Ignite Consulting Firm, LLC. Through Ignite, she provides leadership training, professional development, and professional coaching.
Dr. Pauletta Spence Thompson is an advocate for equity and a champion for school and district leaders. As a Ron Edmonds Scholar, Dr. Thompson has dedicated her professional career to transforming high-needs schools and districts. As a state administrator, she currently supports NC public school units in leveraging federal funding to bolster improvement efforts that will yield equitable student outcomes. Pauletta has also served as a district administrator in rural and urban districts, where she led the Federal Programs, Equity, and Strategic Innovation departments. She has also served as a classroom teacher and school administrator in several urban districts. As an adjunct professor, Dr. Thompson teaches aspiring school leaders to strengthen their leadership acumen. Pauletta received a B.A. in History Education from NC Central University and an M.S.A. and an Ed.D in Educational Administration and Supervision from NC State University.
October 19, 2023 Recording (Password: EESDWeb13)
Session 14 - November 30, 2023: Educationally Equitable Evaluation & Identification Practices (Part 2)
Presenters: Lynn Makor and Bridgette LeCompte
Lynn K. Makor is currently the Consultant for Psychological Services and Coordinator of TBI training within the Office of Exceptional Children. At the state level, Lynn regularly uses workforce data to advocate for and address efforts in improving the pipeline and retention of highly qualified school psychological service providers. Lynn's efforts during the past decade have been targeted on developing both state and district level policies designed to advance equitable evaluation and identification practices for students with special needs. Lynn is also responsible for coordination and maintenance of the North Carolina Registry of Approved Providers for TBI, which consists of approximately 25% of the school psychology workforce who have received specialized training in conducting IDEA evaluations for TBI consideration.
Bridgette LeCompte is the Consultant for Occupational Therapy to the NC Department of Public Instruction and an Assistant Professor in the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at UNC Chapel Hill. Bridgette is passionate about promoting equity and occupational justice through the provision of contextual and collaborative services, implementation of OT’s full scope of practice in schools, and OT involvement in MTSS to support the needs of all students and staff.
November 30, 2023 Recording (Password: EESDWeb14)
Conversation: Viewing the Landscape
Presenter: Dr. Edward Fergus
Dr. Edward “Eddie” Fergus is an applied researcher at Temple University. His work explores the effects of educational policy and practice as it intersects the lives of populations living in vulnerable conditions. More specifically, his policy work extrapolates the relationship between discipline codes of conduct, gifted program practice, and academic referral processes and the educational outcomes of low-income and racial/ethnic minority student populations. This work also outlines policy and practice changes in order for schools to develop as protective environments for vulnerable populations.
February 23, 2022 Recording (Password: EESDWeb1)
Session 2-March 24, 2022: Disproportionality- Where are the Special Education Teachers of Color?
Presenter: Dr Cathy Kea
Dr. Cathy Kea is a Professor of Special Education in the Department of Educator Preparation in the College of Education at North Carolina A&T State University. Her teaching and research focus on the development of culturally responsive special education teachers and the retention of SETOC during the induction years.
March 24, 2022 Recording (Password: EESDWeb2)
Session 3-April 28, 2022: Educational Equity: Looking at Problem Behavior Through the Right Lens
Presenter: Dr. Louise Southern and Dr. Eb Roberts
Dr. Louise Southern is an Associate Clinical Director with the Autism Society of North Carolina. Dr. Southern has been privileged to work with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) since 1998. She has extensive experience implementing and overseeing programs that emphasize the integration of evidence-based practices in intervention for children and adolescents with ASD. Areas of focus include equity in education and behavioral intervention, culturally responsive service provision, and scaling up the implementation of evidence-based practices across schools and systems.
Dr. Eb Roberts is the Senior Director of Human Resources & General Counsel with the Autism Society of North Carolina. Dr. Roberts joined the Autism Society of North Carolina in January 2018. Prior to joining ASNC, she spent 20 years in the for-profit sector, working primarily in behavioral health hospital administration, counseling, and engaged in the practice of law. Her roots in autism began in college, working in group homes in the Charleston area and continued after graduate school, counseling teens and young adults with ASD.
April 28, 2022 Recording (Password: EESDWeb3)
Session 4-May 26, 2022: The Pedagogy of Educational Equity- Strategies to Interrupt Unconscious Bias in the Classroom
Presenter: Dr. Tracey A. Benson
Dr. Tracey A. Benson received his doctorate in Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and his Masters of School Administration from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He has co-authored the book Unconscious Racial Bias in Schools: A Developmental Approach to Exploring Race and Racism and has developed a comprehensive training program for district and school leaders that features a high-yield three-pronged approach to addressing issues of racial bias that impede the academic outcomes of students of color. His research focuses on addressing structural and systemic racism in K-12 school systems.
May 26, 2022 Recording (Password: EESDWeb4)
Session 5-August 25, 2022: Asset-Based Training
Presenters: Marta Alcala-Williams & Dr. Samuel Kaplan
Marta Alcalá-Williams is a Latina woman who has lived, worked, and invested in the Asheville community for the last 30 years. She is committed to facilitating deep relationships centered on revolutionary love and collective liberation. Marta’s work in the school system and community is rooted in engaging the community to achieve a clearer understanding and shared analysis of racial equity and to create equitable and just practices. Marta is known for her work with asset and justice-based thinking and practices. In addition to co-founding Marvelous Math Club, Marta started a Motheread group seven years ago which has created an amazingly powerful group of black, brown, and white women who uplift one another and are charting new territory on building true multiracial communities. Marta currently serves as the Executive Director of Equity and Community Engagement for Asheville City Schools.
Dr. Samuel Kaplan has a life-long commitment to celebrating and popularizing mathematics. In addition to co-founding Marvelous Math Club, he has organized four Math Literacy Summits in Asheville from 2001 to 2008 to highlight community priorities and resources around mathematics. Dr. Kaplan has been recognized for his teaching with a UNC System Board of Governors Award, a UNC Asheville Teaching Excellence Award in the Natural Sciences, and a Distinguished Teaching Award from the Southeast Section of the Mathematical Association of America.
August 25, 2022 Recording (Password: EESDWeb5)
Session 6-September 22, 2022: Addressing Disproportionality and Advancing Educational Equity in Post-Pandemic Era
Presenter: Dr. Eddie Fergus
Dr. Edward “Eddie” Fergus is the Professor of Urban Education and Policy at Rutgers University. His work explores the effects of educational policy and practice as it intersects the lives of populations living in vulnerable conditions. More specifically, his policy work extrapolates the relationship between discipline codes of conduct, gifted program practice, and academic referral processes and the educational outcomes of low-income and racial/ethnic minority student populations. Dr. Fergus has worked with over 120 school districts since 2004 on educational equity and school reform, specifically addressing disproportionality in special education and suspension.
September 22, 2022 Recording (Password: EESDWeb6)
Session 7-October 27, 2022: 7 Steps to Developing your School’s Educational Equity Strategic Action Plan/Creating an Educational Equity Definition
Presenter: Dr. Karla Manning
Dr. Karla Manning is an educational equity consultant and City University of NY (CUNY) Lecturer who helps educators and school leaders strengthen their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. She has 13+ years of teaching experience, teaching in all grades of K-12, higher education, and international teaching as a volunteer English teacher in South Africa. Dr. Manning hosts The Equity Experience Podcast, an audio space for K-12 educators and school leaders who are dedicated to pursuing equity and inclusion in their schools, districts, and organizations.
October 27, 2022 Recording (Password: EESDWeb7)
NC SIP
For almost 25 years, the NC Office of Exceptional Children has been the recipient of a US Department of Education State Personnel Development Grant. The focus of of the North Carolina State Improvement Project (NC SIP) is to provide the teachers of our state with the knowledge and support to improve the outcomes of students with disabilities.
You can find more information about the grant along with professional development opportunities and resources on our new website: TIPS!