Join us on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 7:00 pm for a FREE workshop on Creating Membership in the School and Classroom Community presented by Cyndi Pitonyak.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that students with disabilities receive their education, to the maximum extent appropriate, with non-disabled peers. While the law does not define inclusion specifically, it is clear that the intent of the law is to make sure that kids who receive special education services are included in the general education classroom as often as possible. However, inclusion is a philosophy that goes beyond placement in a general education class. It also aims to have a child be a part of the school community.
What does it mean to be a member of the school community? Come and hear nationally known speaker Cyndi Pitonyak talk about strategies to help facilitate turning your child’s Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) into a meaningful and enriching setting. Cyndi will discuss ways of establishing the basics of membership for a school and classroom community and how to creatively address those basics for all students.
This workshop is intended for:
– parents/guardians of individuals with developmental disabilities,
– providers, and/or
– educators.
This workshop is presented in collaboration with the Region 1 Autism Consortium.
Presenter: Cyndi Pitonyak
Cyndi has over 30 years of experience as a special educator. She has teaching experience at both elementary and secondary levels in inclusive, self-contained and residential settings, as well as special education administration experience at the school and district level. Cyndi has been invited to testify before the United States Senate HELP Committee and interviewed by ProPublica and National Public Radio regarding her work in inclusive education. She has provided technical assistance and training to school divisions nationally and internationally and has taught at the college level in undergraduate and graduate level special education teacher preparation programs. Cyndi currently works for the VCU Autism Center for Excellence.