Special Education Conference Guides - GYTO Fest 2025
MAKE BOLD MOVES
A N O T E F R O M O U R F O U N D E R S
Dear GYTO National Attendees,
As we gear up for the highly anticipated 2025 GYTO National Conference, we are thrilled to welcome each of you to this transformative event The GYTO community is a powerhouse of passionate educators, and we are honored to come together with those ready to make bold moves that create real, actionable change in education.
This year, our theme is "Make Bold Moves." As educators, it’s time to go beyond dreaming and talking about change—it’s time to act. Bold moves require courage, vision, and a commitment to challenging the status quo to build better opportunities for our students and ourselves. This theme represents the actionable steps we take to innovate, advocate, and elevate our practices for the betterment of education as a whole.
Bold moves are not just individual efforts they are the result of a collective will to progress. Together, at the 2025 National Conference, we’ll explore how to identify barriers, take purposeful action, and amplify the impact of our efforts. This is your chance to share your journey, learn from others, and forge the connections that will propel us all forward.
The conference will feature dynamic speakers who will inspire you to take action, interactive workshops designed to equip you with tangible tools, and game-changing insights that will push you to think differently. You can also expect unforgettable surprises that will leave you energized and ready to lead boldly.
Let’s commit to taking bold moves together and shaping the future of education one step, one decision, and one classroom at a time. This is your time to move, lead, and create meaningful impact.
We can’t wait to see you in Dallas, June 29 - July 2, 2025, as we embrace this call to action and transform our passion into progress Let’s take the steps that will define the future of education— together.
With excitement and anticipation,
WHY GYTO?
Our Get Your Teach On Leadership and Content Development team has worked to create an engaging and transformational educator professional development experience that aligns directly to the needs of schools and teachers across the country by helping educators develop consistent best instructional practices and processes from start to finish to accelerate student learning
These evidence and research-based best practices, strategies, and techniques will directly impact overall educator effectiveness and student achievement, transforming instruction and student learning like never before.
TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS
DATA & PROGRESS MONITORING
BUILDING THE TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHER
Developing Consistent Best Instructional Practices and Processes from Start to Finish to Completely
Transform Your School
PLANNING & PREPARATION
THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
BEST INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES
STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY & ENGAGEMENT
DATA & PROGRESS MONITORING
TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS
PLANNING & PREPARATION
STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY & ENGAGEMENT
Intentional and meaningful planning, using specific grade level content standards and high-quality instructional materials that address the needs of all learners and support mastery of learning goals.
Creates and maintains a collaborative, safe, efficient, and effective learning environment that supports each student’s diverse needs and promotes recognition of student’s diverse personal experiences to build relationships of trust within the classroom.
Implementation of evidence and research-based best instructional strategies and techniques to accelerate student learning, growth, and achievement through rigorous and consistent instruction, including opportunities for problem solving, critical and creative thinking, meaningful and purposeful discourse, and high-impact instructional delivery.
Builds engaging, intentional, and rigorous learning experiences through setting high expectations and consistency within instructional practices that requires all students to take ownership of and be held accountable for their individual learning.
Continually monitors and analyzes student learning and progress towards mastery of learning goals for all students using a variety of progress monitoring and assessment techniques to make immediate instructional decisions that support student growth and acceleration.
Develops strong foundational teaching practices and commitments that support best practices and professional growth through consistent reflection of professional practices to support student learning, development, and achievement at a high level.
THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
BEST INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES
Get Your Teach On sessions are intentionally selected for attendees to experience the full professional development experience. Each session is hands-on, interactive, collaborative, and allows time for teachers to take what they’ve learned and apply it to their specific grade level standards or content area.
Sessions are structured to meet the needs of all learners in classrooms, modeling best practices for direct and immediate implementation in classrooms.
2025 GYTO National Conference
SUNDAY JUNE 29
1 3 4 2
schedule is subject to change MONDAY JUNE 30
12:00-5:00 PM REGISTRATION 5:00 PM
DOORS OPEN FOR GYTO OPENING CELEBRATION & KEYNOTE
6:00-8:30 PM GYTO OPENING CELEBRATION & KEYNOTE
8:00-10:00 AM OPENING KEYNOTE 10:30-11:45 AM SESSION 1 11:45-1:15 PM LUNCH
1:15-2:30 PM SESSION 2
2:45-4:00 PM SESSION 3
4:30-6:00 PM CLOSING KEYNOTE
TUESDAY JULY 1
8:30-10:00 AM OPENING KEYNOTE
10:30-11:45 AM SESSION 1
11:45-1:15 PM LUNCH
1:15-2:30 PM SESSION 2
2:45-4:00 PM SESSION 3
4:30-6:00 PM CLOSING KEYNOTE
WEDNESDAY JULY 2
9:00-10:15 AM SESSION 1 10:30-11:45 PM SESSION 2 11:45-1:15 PM LUNCH 1:30-3:00 PM GYTO CLOSING SESSION YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS! NO MORNING KEYNOTE
SPECIAL EDUCATION SESSIONS
CREATING ACTIONABLE DATA
TRACKING SYSTEMS IN THE CLASSROOM
Session Presented by: Stephanie DeLussey
DIFFERENTIATION & ENGAGING ALL LEARNERS
Session Presented by: Sean Connolly
BALANCING BEHAVIORS WITH DEESCALATION STRATEGIES AND BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PLANS (BIPS) THAT WORK
FROM DRAFT TO EXECUTION: OPTIMIZING IEP GOALS FOR REAL IMPACT
Session Presented by: Stephanie D
DILIGENT DATA COLLECTION: EFFICIENT WAYS TO COLLECT BEHAVIORAL DATA
Session Presented by: M Ch
HE STAR STRATEGY: SMALL GROUPS THAT STAND OUT
ession Presented by: Amelia Capotosta
ENGAGING, MOTIVATING & MANAGING HARD TO REACH & DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS: A TRAUMA SENSITIVE APPROACH
Session Presented by: Brian Mendler
CREATING ACTIONABLE DATA TRACKING SYSTEMS IN THE CLASSROOM
Session Presented by: Stephanie DeLussey
Empower your teaching practice by mastering the art of effective data tracking! This session will guide you through the essential components of creating actionable data systems that simplify your workload and enhance student outcomes. Together we will explore practical strategies for collecting data in diverse ways that fit seamlessly into your daily classroom routines. Learn how to write IEP goals designed for straightforward data collection, minimizing guesswork and maximizing efficiency. Finally, discover methods for analyzing collected data to inform meaningful decisions for your students' next IEPs.
Whether you're a data novice or looking to refine your process, this session will provide actionable tools to track progress and celebrate student success.
SESSION RESEARCH
Federal IDEA Law: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/
US. Department of Education: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/idea
Wright, P. (2007). Wrightslaw: Special Education Law 2nd Edition
Golden, C. (2017). The Data Collection Toolkit.
DeLussey, S. (2024). The Intentional IEP: A Team Approach to Better Outcomes for Students and Their Families.
DIFFERENTIATING AND ENGAGING FOR ALL LEARNERS
Session Presented by: Sean Connolly
Ready for your Engagement and Differentiation Era?
This session will equip you with tools and strategies to transform learning for every student. With creativity, differentiation, and a touch of sparkle, you’ll leave ready to captivate your classroom and inspire success.
In this session, you will:
• Begin Your Own Viral Era: Discover how and why to use music to engage students, including techniques that have reached over 200 million views and captured the attention of major media outlets like Ryan Seacrest’s radio show, Good Morning America and Taylor Swift!
• Escape Ordinary Teaching: Learn how to use escape rooms, black light pens, and logic puzzles to differentiate and keep students motivated while developing critical thinking skills
• Scaffold Like a Pro: Explore classroom resources designed to meet every learner’s needs and scaffold instruction by skill, making success attainable for all students.
• Bring Fun to the Forefront: Get hands-on ideas for turning games and activities into the foundation of your classroom engagement strategy.
Gear up for this dynamic and interactive session! You’ll leave feeling empowered, inspired, and ready to make your classroom the ultimate enchanted space where learning meets fun.
SESSIONSTANDARDS
Across Elementary Grades:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1-12.1: Participate in collaborative conversations and discussions with diverse partners, staying on topic, and building on others’ ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7-12.7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media, including music, videos, and games.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.C.7
• Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division (e g , knowing 8 \times 5 = 40, one knows 40 \div 5 = 8) or properties of operations.
SESSION RESEARCH
Session
Description
Gonzales, Katelyn R. (2024) Movement in Math: A Look at Integrating Movement-Based Activities into a Kindergarten Math Classroom
Palmer, T.-A. & Booth, E. (2024). The effectiveness of song and music as pedagogical tools in elementary school science lessons
Gheyssens, E., Griful-Freixenet, J., Struyven, K. (2023). Differentiated Instruction as an Approach to Establish Effective Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms.
BALANCING BEHAVIORS WITH DEESCALATION STRATEGIES & BEHAVIOR
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is more than just a trending buzzword it's a vital, foundational need for our students in today’s ever-evolving educational landscape. In this session, we’ll explore how A.R.T. (Activities, Regulation, and Togetherness) can be the game-changing framework you need to meet the social and emotional needs of every child in your classroom Through intentional, hands-on activities, we can foster emotional regulation, build strong relationships, and create a sense of belonging—all essential components for supporting mental health and addressing behavioral challenges.
Hands-on art activities and creative projects, in particular, can be incredibly effective in supporting students’ mental health and self-regulation while providing an outlet for students to express their emotions, reducing stress and anxiety while boosting overall well-being. As they engage in art, students learn to work through challenges, develop patience, and practice resilience—skills that are invaluable for emotional regulation. These activities also help to cultivate a calming classroom environment, offering students moments of mindfulness and control amidst their busy school day.
By integrating A.R.T. into your teaching practice, you’ll not only promote emotional well-being but also empower students to develop critical life skills that will help them thrive both academically and personally. Join us to discover how these powerful, research-based strategies can transform your classroom into a supportive, collaborative, and emotionally intelligent learning community!
SESSION RESEARCH
Souers, K. (2019). Relationship, Responsibility, and Regulation: Trauma-Invested Practices for Fostering Resilient Learners
Cracco, E., Goossens, L., & Braet, C. (2017). Emotion Regulation Across Childhood and Adolescence: Evidence for a Maladaptive Shift in Adolescence. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Daunic, A. P., Aydin, B., Corbett, N. L., Smith, S. W., Boss, D., & Crews, E. (2023). Social-Emotional Learning Intervention for K–1 Students at Risk for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Sop, A., & Hançer, B. (2024). Effects of Mindfulness-Based Practices on Children’s Self-Regulation: A Review on Early Childhood Research
ZING IEP GOALS FOR REAL
Presented by: nie DeLussey
in special education, but crafting effective goals and on, we’ll provide a foundational overview of the essential ing clear, measurable goals and objectives that truly support power of data to make informed decisions at the IEP table, ed plan. We’ll also dive into not only the the importance, but amilies and team members before the meeting. These concepts yone comes prepared to contribute. This session is perfect for actices and make a lasting impact on student outcomes.
ON RESEARCH
gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/idea
n Law 2nd Edition
l Education Rights: What Your District Isn’t Telling You.
Approach to Better Outcomes for Students and Their Families.
DILIGENT DATA COLLECTION: EFFICIENT WAYS TO COLLECT BEHAVIORAL DATA
nts come with unique needs, especially those who are reading below grade level. This p you create flexible, engaging small groups that support learners at multiple grade levels while ensuring every student can grow and thrive.
Like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, who practice precision and teamwork to dazzle the crowd, your small groups can bring energy, focus, and purpose to literacy instruction. Grounded in research this session will provide you with evidence-based practices to tailor instruction for all learners.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Informal Data Collection: Use quick, actionable assessments to identify reading gaps and form skill-based small groups.
Planning for Multiple Grades: Design flexible group structures and lesson plans that address a range of gradelevel expectations while scaffolding for below-grade-level readers
Engaging Instructional Strategies: Implement fun, targeted activities for phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary that meet students where they are while challenging them to grow.
Fluid Grouping: Learn how to keep groups dynamic by regularly reassessing and reshuffling based on student progress and needs.
Building Confidence: Use strategies that engage struggling readers and build their confidence to take risks and succeed.
By the end of this session, you’ll leave with a game plan to organize, instruct, and adapt your small group literacy instruction no matter your students’ starting point or grade level. Let’s ensure that your small groups truly shine, helping every student become a star in their own literacy journey!
Are you ready to bring focus and excitement to your literacy small groups? Join us to make your teaching sparkle across every grade!
SESSION RESEARCH
Shanahan, T. (2023). Teaching practices for improving reading comprehension and literacy skills
ReadWorks. (2021). ReadWorks resources and research-based reading comprehension lessons
CORE. (2020). Teaching reading sourcebook: Core phonics survey. Consortium on Reading Excellence, Inc.
Florida Center for Reading Research. (2022). Evidence-based reading instruction resources and strategies
ENGAGING, MOTIVATING & MANAGING HARD TO REACH & DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS
Session Presented by: Brian Mendler
I began disrupting class in 4th grade. I believed my peers would laugh at me for being “dumb” so I made sure they laughed at me for being “bad” instead. I was defiant, disruptive, and relatively unmotivated. I was “that one kid” that drove my teachers crazy. By sixth grade my academic skills were so below grade level that I was pulled out of school.
Two weeks later in a new school I had one teacher dramatically change my life. He did in about five minutes what nobody had done between kindergarten and 6th grade. And the amazing thing is that it is something any of you can do with any of your students immediately! Discover seven magic words that will change your students’ lives! Engage, motivate, and manage hard to reach and disruptive students plagued by severe undiagnosed ADHD and reading difficulties.
This seminar will explain mindsets and specific approaches needed to work successfully with challenging youth.Discover how to defuse any student, anywhere, at any time using our proven process and other defusing techniques. Learn the best strategies for connecting with difficult youth who put up walls and the most important gift we can give our students so they can be successful!
SESSION RESEARCH
Mendler, A (2014) THE RESILIENT TEACHER Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (Arias).
Mendler, A. & Mendler, B. (2009). Power struggles: Successful strategies for educators - 2nd Edition Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree.
Sugai, George, Horner, Robert (2002) Behavior Psychology in the schools; The Evolution of Discipline Practices: School-Wide Positive Behavior Supports.
MEETYOUR PRESENTERS
BRIAN MENDLER
@BRIANMENDLER
an Mendler has extensive experience working with challenging students in general education, selfntained, and inclusion settings. He provides staff development training for K-12 educators throughout world with the focus on how to be successful with even the most difficult students. He trains tens of s of educators every year and is a highly regarde provide strategies that work immediately for toda
Mr. Mendler has recently authored a book titled, Watch Your Mouth, book provides educators with easy to use strategies for preventing and unmotivated behavior. He has also authored That One Kid, 2nd Edition Strong Partners, Strategies for Successful Classroom Management, Pow Discipline With Dignity 4th Edition
STEPHANI
Stephanie is a dual-certified special education teacher, IEP coach, auth proclaimed #datanerd With over 14 years of experience in the field, s creating engaging, adapted resources that make teaching easier and le students with disabilities. Stephanie’s passion lies in empowering teache advocates, equipping them with the tools they need to bridge the gap b collaborative IEP team
Today, Stephanie continues to support educators through her platforms shares resources, professional development opportunities, and inspirati help teachers save time by equipping them with actionable knowledge, meaningful impacts in their classrooms—because when teachers thrive,
@MRSDSCORNER + @THEINTENTIONALIEP @TEACHWITHMRC
SEAN CONNOLLY
Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania and now teaching and living in Lehigh Valley, Sean Connolly is a dedicated special education teacher with 17 years of experience. A double graduate of East Stroudsburg University and Wilkes University, where he earned his Master’s degree, Sean has a passion ementary education and breaking down tasks to help every student succeed This spring, Sean will also of adjunct professor at Cedar Crest College, where he will inspire the next generation of educators.
d father of two children, Liam (5) and Emma (3), who are his world. Beyond the classroom, Sean is a creator with over 400,000 followers, 200 million video views, and 7 million likes. He is the creator of InterventionStation.com, a website offering differentiated and scaffolded resources downloaded by tens of thousands of teachers. His innovative teaching methods have been featured on On Air With Ryan, Good Morning America, CBS Good Morning, and more, inspiring educators nationwide
MEETYOUR PRESENTERS
MS. CHYNA
@ESPECIALLYSPED
Ms. Chyna is a dynamic teacher speaking to us all the way from midwest. Chyna graduated with a Bachelors in Elementary Education and Spanish with a minor in Special Education, and a Masters in Educational Leadership. Ms. Chyna is currently an Elementary Behavioral Special Education Teacher who works with students ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade She is passionate about fostering through structure, consistency, and engagement, as well as instilling the power of relationships in all that lassroom. Aside from teaching, Ms. Chyna is a blogger www.especiallysped.com, Teachers Pay Teachers SPED with Miss Chyna,”.
@AMELIACAPOTOSTA
Amelia Capotosta is an Ohio educator, who brings a contagious amount of enthusiasm, positivity, and creativity to the education world. She is a forever optimist, and is passionate about many things including her family, students, books, and pairing education and engagement With classroom experience from elementary to middle school, Amelia has first-hand knowledge of the effectiveness of research-based strategies in the classroom, and how to design and implement them. She has spent dedicated time creating resources that bring books to life in classrooms all over Amelia knows that true comprehension takes plac areas, and is able to help educators and administrators take actionable steps towards cross-curricular teaching that is engaging, meaningful, rigorous, and effective. She is certified in Orton Gillingham methodology and has worked to support thousands of educators, adminstrators, coaches, and specialists on the research and science backed methods to teach reading. As a national speaker, presenter, educator, collegiate instructor, and consultant, Amelia has had the opportunity to inspire and support thousands of educators, administrators, coaches, and specialists. She focuses her sessions on research, engagement, innovative, and ready-to-implement ideas; she is here for you!
AMELIA CAPOTOSTA
MEETYOUR PRESENTERS
STEPHANIE OSMUNDSON & LOREAL HEMENWAY
@HAPPILY EVER ELEMENTARY
Stephanie and Loreal are passionate elementary educators from Las Vegas, Nevada, driven by their love for engagement, creative classroom design, and innovative teaching methods. Both graduates of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education, they each pursued advanced studies—Stephanie earning a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, and Loreal with her Master’s in Technology. They are both proud mothers of three children, each with two sons and a daughter. Stephanie and Loreal are united in their belief that learning should be engaging, memorable, and, above all, magical.
Stephanie and Loreal co-founded Happily Ever Elementary, a business dedicated to helping fellow educators craft unforgettable classroom experiences through thoughtfully designed environments, hands-on activities, and one-of-a-kind resources that inspire creativity and spark a love of learning in students. Now they split an art teaching contract and are the creators behind Creatively Inspired and Retro Remix, two Carson Dellosa decor lines that can be found in stores nationwide. In the last several years, they have travelled to create content and present for various educational conferences. In recent years, working along side Get Your Teach On has revived their zeal for collaborating with other educators enabling them to share their best strategies, classroom tips, and practical solutions to inspire teachers everywhere to make learning both impactful and fun!
LEAD ON
THIS TRACK IS FOR:
School Leaders and Administrators, Instructional Coaches, District Level Leaders & Staff, Superintendents, PD Coordinators, & Future Leaders
GYTO SCHOOLHOUSE
THIS TRACK IS FOR:
Schools or districts bringing a large number of teachers to GYTO. This unique collaborative leader and teacher track will focus on fostering school-wide growth through guided instructional planning workshops for your school staff together! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
THIS TRACK IS FOR:
K-5 Special Education teachers & Support staff or Educators looking for a deep dive into best practices for special education students and teachers.
TO LEARN MORE
INSTRUCTIONAL LAB
THIS TRACK IS FOR:
Teachers that that support students in multiple Grades K-5, New teachers, New Teacher Mentors, Future Teachers, & Any teacher looking for best instructional practices for ANY grade, ANY lesson & ANY content.
Four days filled with research-based workshops that will guide you in creating rigorous and engaging lessons all year long.
Keynote presentations from influential educators and motivational speakers that will leave you more inspired than ever to head back into your classrooms and create educational magic!
Training specific for your position from some of today’s top educators and administrators who are experts at their craft with strategies that can be implemented the very next day!
The Education Celebration of the Year kicks off the conference on Sunday night! This is a party you don’t want to miss!
Swag that will make you want to bring an extra suitcase! Not to mention all the free goodies from our sponsors!
Each attendee receives a professional development certificate for 24 hours of quality professional development over the conference’s four days!
GYTO 4-DAY ALL ACCESS PASS: $639
Register now with just a deposit! Final payment won’t be due until March 2025! Invoice and check options are also available for schools and districts.
