Conference Speakers
2023 Keynote Speakers

Dr. Ben Springer
ASPEN on the School Bus: Managing Aggressive Behaviors
Thursday, Nov. 16 l 8 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Unless you’ve spent some time on the “Yellow Submarine,” you just don’t understand. Disruptive and dangerous student behaviors take on a whole new dynamic on the bus. It is critical that school systems align the training of managing aggressive student behavior across both school and bus environments. Dr. Ben Springer, a national certified and award-winning school psychologist as well as author and a former director of special education, presents a half-day overview of his “Aspen on the Bus” curriculum that addresses safety on the school bus, especially managing students who are disabled or have special needs with dangerous or aggressive behaviors.
Students who are struggling in school are spending a lot of the time on the school bus as well and need support. So do the drivers, attendants and other transportation staff who are providing these children services. All TSD attendees will receive a free individual subscription to Dr. Ben’s training courses, a $595 value. District packages with an unlimited subscription will also be available for purchase.
Biography:
Ben Springer is the director of the Family Education Center at Wasatch County School District in Utah as well as an award-winning and nationally certified school psychologist and the founder of Totem PD. He is also a former director of special education for the school district and before that a school bus attendant for students with special needs. Ben received his master’s and doctoral degrees in educational psychology at the University of Utah and has studied psychological assessment, counseling, school-wide positive behavior supports, bullying prevention programs, parental involvement, evidence-based practice, autism, and social skills instruction. Ben has become a popular speaker and presenter in the State of Utah for his keynote addresses on Autism (“Autism is a Burrito”) and ADHD (“ADHD: The Goods”) presenting at the University of Utah, St. Marks Hospital Rounds, Heber Valley Pediatrics, Summit Pediatrics, Utah Valley University and the Southwest Educational Development Center. In March 2021, his book “GPS: Good Parenting Strategies: The No-Guilt Survival Guide for Parenting During the Pandemic and Beyond” was published. He is also the author of the 2018 book “Happy Kids Don’t Punch You in the Face: A Guide to Eliminating Aggressive Behavior in School.”

Betsey Helfrich
Transportation of Special Education Students: Avoiding the Bumps and Legal Hazards
Friday, Nov. 17 l 9:30 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.

Shelley Rutledge, Ed.S, LCSW
Problematic Sexual Behaviors on Special Needs Routes
Saturday, Nov 19 l 10:30 a.m. – Noon
2023 Conference Speakers As of 9/20/23. Subject to change
Alemnesh Allen
Prince George’s County Public Schools
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
Albert Burleigh
First Student
Peggy A. Burns
Legal Consultant
Eliza Clement
Certified ASL Interpreter
Dallas ISD in Texas
Denny Coughlin
Consultant
School Bus Training LLC
Cody Cox
Director of Transportation
Cleveland ISD
Ryan Dillingham
Director of Transportation
Knox County Schools in Knoxville, Tennessee
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
Greg Jackson
Director of Business Development
School Bus Logistics
Jacqueline Leach
Health Educator
Morristown Medical Center
Denise Mabry
Director-Compliance & Due Process, Office of Special Education
Baltimore City Public Schools
Miriam Manary, CPST
Lead Research Engineer
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
Robbin Marshall
Assistant Director, Office of Pupil Transportation
Baltimore City Public Schools
Mark Nestlen
President & CEO
Bar None Consulting, Inc.
Diandra Neugent, CPST
Transportation Manager
Community Council of Idaho
Trisha Nolan
Southern Regional Manager
Q’Straint/Sure-Lok
Carolyn Nunes
Technical Support
Special Education, LLC
Alexandra Robinson
President
A. Robinson Consulting
Shelley Rutledge
Shelley Rutledge Consulting, LLC
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
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 SD
Stephen Whaley
Director of Autogas Business Development
Propane Education and Research Council
Jennie Wu, Ed. D.
Executive Director, Strategy & Continuous Improvement
Baltimore City Public Schools
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

John Benish

Kathleen Furneaux

Mark Hinson

Charles Hood

Charley Kennington

Miriam Manary
