Conference Speakers
2024 Keynote Speakers
Betsey Helfrich
Transportation of Special Education Students: Avoiding the Bumps and Legal Hazards
Date: TBD l Time: TBD
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.
Jo Mascorro
Education Consultant/Behavior Intervention
Date: TBD l Time: TBD
2024 Conference Speakers As of 3/27/24. Subject to change
Theresa Anderson
Anderson Consulting
Kathy Anneken
VP of Sales
Easy Way Safety Services
John Benish
Executive Director
National School Transportation Association
Laura Beth Blankenship
Physical Therapist
Knox County Schools in Tennessee
Peggy A. Burns
Legal Consultant
Eliza Clement
Certified ASL Interpreter
Dallas ISD in Texas
Denny Coughlin
Consultant
School Bus Training LLC
Fred Doelker
Director of Training Programs
Dean Transportation in Michigan
Denise Donaldson, CPST-I
Editor & Publisher
Safe Ride News
Terri Drca
Social/Behavior Special Education Teacher
Davis High School
Teresa Fleming
Deputy Chief Operations Officer
School District of Philadelphia
Launi Harden
Consultant
Aaron Harris
National Sales and Training Manager
Besi, Inc.
Kala Henkensiefken
Special Education Transportation Manager
Bemidji Area Schools in Minnesota
Jessica Keithan
Co-Founder and Director
Texas Electric School Bus Project
Jacqueline Leach
Health Educator
Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey
Miriam Manary, CPST
Lead Research Engineer
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
Ken Mulder
Director of Transportation
Special School District of St. Louis County in Missouri
Diandra Neugent, CPST
Transportation Manager
Community Council of Idaho
Trisha Nolan
Southern Regional Manager
Q’Straint/Sure-Lok
Alexandra Robinson
President
A. Robinson Consulting
Sue Shutrump, CPST
Supervisor of OT/PT & Tenured Faculty
Trumbull County Educational Service Center in Ohio
Kayne Smith
Director of Transportation
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in Texas
Peggy Stone
Director of Transportation
Lincoln County Schools in West Virginia
Amy Tiedens
Transportation Manager
ISD 287 in Minnesota
Maritza Valentin
Contract/National Account Manager
AMF-Bruns America
Charlie Vits, CPST
Market Development Manager/Regulatory Affairs Manager
IMMI/SafeGuard
Jennifer Vobis
Executive Director
Clark County School District in Nevada
Tenured Faculty
Sue Shutrump
Alex Robinson
Launi Harden
Tenured Faculty Emeritus
Linda Bluth
Peggy Burns
Pauline Gervais
Kathy Strotmeyer
Cheryl Wolf
Jean Zimmerman
National Board of Advisors
Miriam Manary
John Benish
Kathleen Furneaux
Mark Hinson
Charles Hood
Charley Kennington
