2018 TASH Conference

The purpose of the annual TASH Research Colloquium is to provide information about current research that addresses topics of interest to TASH members. One of the most important priorities in our field is to identify innovative teacher education and professional development practices. To ensure that the individuals with extensive support needs are provided with quality educational and other life span services, it is important that special education majors, teachers, paraprofessionals, and support personnel are informed and remain current about effective personnel preparation and professional development practices.

This research colloquium will host a variety of presenters who will be sharing information about several innovative teacher preparation and professional development approaches and models.

Among the speakers will be Andrea Ruppar University of Wisconsin-Madison), Carly Roberts University of Washington), and Amy Olson Winona State University) who will discuss developing the expertise of teachers of students with extensive support needs (“It’s Not All About Loving the Kids”); Canyon Hardesty and Eric Moody (WIND, University of Wyoming) who will discuss ECHO, an innovative videoconferencing forum that supports and targets training to an interdisciplinary team of professionals working in rural areas (“University of Wyoming ECHO: Enhancing Professional Learning and Development for Educators”); Richard Carter (University of Wyoming) will discuss microcredentialing- non-traditional, professional development units (specific competencies) that offer skill instruction at granular levels; Peggy Weiss and Kelley Regan will discuss “bug-in-the-ear” coaching that provides real-time and immediate feedback to participants; and Meg Kamman (CEEDAR Center, University of Florida) who will discuss how the CEEDAR Center supports effective educator development for inclusion.

Diane Ryndak (University of North Carolina Greensboro) will serve as the discussant for the colloquium.