Conference Speakers

2024 Keynote Speakers

Jo Mascorro

De-escalation with Dignity…

Date: Nov. 8 l Time: 8 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Do these experiences sound familiar?

Arguing? Wanting to leave the bus? Throwing things? Striking out and/or self-abusive behavior demonstrations?  Simply won’t follow directions and/or comply?  Are you feeling like you’ve tried everything, and nothing seems to work?  This presentation will provide dos and don’ts when preparing for, as well as responding to, behavior demonstrations with specific emphasis on keeping staff/peers safe, preserving dignity, and considering the social/emotional development of the individual in crisis.

Biography

Jo Mascorro is an independent consultant who provides training throughout the nation in areas specific to pro-active behavior intervention practices, communication strategies, parenting skills, transportation challenges, and programming for students who experience from mild/moderate to severe/profound disabilities (birth-adult).  In addition to requests for speaking engagements as a keynote and/or breakout presenter, Ms. Mascorro is frequently called upon to write FBA’s (Functional Behavior Assessments), BIP’s (Behavior Intervention Plans), and provide information that assist administrators with creating proactive interventions and/or crisis management teams, for students whose behaviors are highly disruptive to the learning/teaching environment. 

She has over 46 years of experience in the field of Education and received both her Bachelor and Master degrees from Texas Tech University.  Author of the three-part, audio CD/MP3 series, “Don’t Look Now, YOUR Behavior is Showing!”.  Ms. Mascorro is a native Texan and resides in San Antonio.

Patrick Mulick

Unlocking Autism

Date: Nov. 9 l Time: 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

With the growing prevalence of autism, educators continue to be challenged with how to meet the unique and diverse needs of students on the autism spectrum.  Helping this population find success at school, on the bus, and in life requires the supporting adults to shift their thinking that drives how they connect and support.  Behavior specialist Patrick Mulick will dive into strategies that can help students with autism bring out the best of themselves every day. 

Biography

Patrick is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team. Originally from the humble town of Boring, Oregon, Patrick earned his undergrad and masters in special education and behavior analysis from Gonzaga University. While spending several years educating students with disabilities, from pre-school to high school, Patrick developed a particular love for working with students with autism and behavioral challenges.

Today he works as an educational consultant and as the Director of Student Engagement for the Auburn School District in Washington State.  As a nationally recognized speaker, Patrick has committed his work to lighting it up for all those who work with students with disabilities through a hybrid of instruction and inspiration.  His resources and strategies have helped make the complex simple, equipping teachers, administrators, therapists, paraeducators, and bus drivers alike.

Betsey Helfrich

Transportation of Special Education Students: Avoiding the Bumps and Legal Hazards

Date: Nov. 10 l Time: 9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

In this fast-paced presentation, special education attorney Betsey Helfrich, will examine school transportation from a legal perspective.  From a review of recent case law to current hot-topics, this presentation will dive into the legalities of the transportation of students with disabilities.  From aides on buses to sharing information with the transportation department, this presentation will include practical tips that you need to know to minimize liability and keep students safe.

Biography

Betsey practices special education law in Kansas and Missouri. Formerly the special education department lead for Mickes O’Toole, LLC in St. Louis, she now runs her own practice. She has successfully represented school districts against a variety of claims in state and federal courts, including the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as in administrative and special education due process hearings. She provides general counsel to schools on special education matters and conducts local and national training on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all areas of the Individuals with Disabilities Education. Betsey presented at LRP’s 38th and 39th Annual National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities.

Dana Rosen

Creative Solutions to Difficult SPED Requests

Date: Nov. 11 l Time: TBD

Biography

Dana Rosen is the Assistant Director of Transportation specializing in Student Safety and Campus Support at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. in Houston, Texas. She has been blessed with 20+ years as an educator woven together with diverse experiences. During her career in education, she has served as a high school teacher and coach, bus driver, special education teacher, behavior specialist and classroom management consultant. Dana believes in cutting through the noise to identify practical, common-sense solutions that address the root causes of issues. She uses humor and story-telling based on years of experience to advocate for straightforward solutions grounded in empathy and understanding. Her ability to be transparent, honest, and relatable make her presentations entertaining and impactful.

2024 Conference Speakers As of 10/21/24. Subject to change

Alemnesh Allen
Transportation Coordinator – SPED
Prince George’s County Public School

Theresa Anderson
Anderson Consulting

Kathy Anneken
VP of Sales
Easy Way Safety Services

Joanie Arrott
Assistant Director, Risk Management Services
Texas Association of School Boards

Laura Blankenship
Physical Therapist
Knox County Schools in Knoxville, Tennessee

Bret Brooks
Chief Operating Officer / Senior Consultant
Gray Ram Tactical, LLC

Arnold Byrd
Sales Enablement Specialist
Transfinder

Gloria Corsino
Parent Advocate

Cody Cox
Executive Director
Royse City Training LLC

Denny Coughlin
Consultant
School Bus Training LLC

Randall Crawford
Director of Transportation
School District of Clay County, Florida

Terri Drca
Social/Behavior Special Education Teacher
Davis High School in Utah

Megan Elsberry
Section 504/McKinney-Vento Coordinator
Cleveland ISD in Texas

Launi Schmutz-Harden
Transportation Consultant

Aaron Harris
National Sales and Training Manager
Besi, Inc.

Kala Henkensiefken
Special Education Transportation Manager
Bemidji Area Schools in Minnesota

 

 

 

 

Julie Jilek
Special Education Consultant

Jennifer Korinek

Corrie Leach
Transportation Manager
School Bus Inc.

Miriam Manary, CPST
Lead Research Engineer
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

Peter Mannella
Public Policy & Communications Liasion
National Association for Pupil Transportation

Angela McDonald, RN
Nurse Consultant/Inspector
Student Health Services
Kentucky Department of Education

Pete Meslin
Special Needs Transportation Consultant
Access Exchange International

Diana Mikelski
Director of Transportation
Township High School District 211

Teena Mitchell
Special Needs Transportation Coordinator
Greenville County Public Schools in South Carolina

David Murphy
OEM/Market Manager
HSM Transportation Solutions

Dawn Moore
Assistant Transportation Supervisor
Farmington Municipal Schools

Susan Moorehead
Area Safety and Training Manager
Zum Services

Ken Mulder
Director of Transportation
Special School District of St. Louis County in Missouri

David Murphy
OEM/Market Manager
HSM Transportation Solutions

 

Diandra Neugent, CPST
Transportation Manager
Community Council of Idaho

Trisha Nolan
Southern Regional Manager
Q’Straint/Sure-Lok

Bryan Raygor
Ferrellgas
National Autogas Business Manager

Alexandra Robinson
President
A. Robinson Consulting

Christy Schiller
Vice President of Consulting
Praesidium

Anthony Sheilds
Director of Transportation
San Marcos CISD

Sue Shutrump, CPST
Special Education Transportation Consultant

Kerry Somerville
Chief Executive Officer
Transportation Planning Solutions

Rebecca Sykes
Transportation Consultant
Colorado Department of Education

Amy Tiedens
Transportation Manager
ISD 287 in Minnesota

Bill Tousley
School Bus Driver Trainer
Farmington (Mich.) Public Schools, Michigan

Maritza Valentin
Contract/National Account Manager
AMF-Bruns America

Lorena Valenzi
School Bus Driver Trainer
Shenendehowa School, New York

Rosalyn Vann-Jackson
Chief Support Services Officer
Broken Arrow Public Schools

Charlie Vits, CPST
Child Passenger Safety &
Seating Consultant

Stephen Whaley
Propane Product Segment Leader
Blue Bird Corporation

 

 

Tenured Faculty
Sue Shutrump

Sue Shutrump

Alex Robinson

Alex Robinson

Launi Schmutz-Harden

Launi Schmutz-Harden

Tenured Faculty Emeritus
Linda Bluth

Linda Bluth

Peggy Burns

Peggy Burns

Pauline Gervais

Pauline Gervais

Kathy Strotmeyer

Kathy Strotmeyer

Cheryl Wolf

Cheryl Wolf

Jean Zimmerman

Jean Zimmerman

National Board of Advisors
Miriam Manary

Miriam Manary

John Benish

John Benish

Kathleen Furneaux

Kathleen Furneaux

Mark Hinson

Mark Hinson

Charles Hood

Charles Hood

Charley Kennington

Charley Kennington

Pete Meslin

Pete Meslin