Inclusion in Action Conference

Inclusion in Action Conference

A conference presented by FIRE Foundation

February 13-14, 2025

Registration Is Now Open

Click here to register

Attend in person or virtually!

Are You Ready...

  • To be inspired by national experts and education colleagues?
  • To discover strategies that lead to growth and success for all learners?
  • To build a culture of belonging for students with disabilities at your Catholic school?

Join Us

The FIRE Foundation is pleased to present an education conference for principals, teachers, paraprofessionals and parents who are committed to building and strengthening K-12 inclusive learning opportunities in their Catholic schools. Please help us spread the news about this opportunity! 

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Conference Highlights
  • Learn evidence-based practices from national experts representing University of Notre Dame's Program for Inclusive Education, St. Louis University, University of Kansas, Texas Christian University, University of California - Davis and more. 
  • Get inspired! Our Catholic faith calls us to this mission and work. Hear from passionate inclusion advocates representing Word on Fire and other organizations.
  • Discover innovative strategies that promote intellectual, social and spiritual growth for students with a wide range of disabilities.  
  • Network with K-12 school leaders, educators, parents and advocates who are companions on this inclusion journey.  

Registration Details

$349 — Attend In Person

  • Includes four meals and access to virtual/recorded sessions.
  • Capacity is limited to 200. Register early.

$249 — Attend Virtually

  • Includes live-streamed and recorded sessions.
  • Discounted registration is available for FIRE affiliate partners.
    Title II-A funds may be used for registration and travel expenses.

$40 — Bonfire

Thursday, February 12, 2025
5pm – 7pm

  • In person at the Grand Street Plaza
    (4740 Grand Avenue | Kansas City, MO)
  • Join us for networking, appetizers, and cocktails.

Registration Is Now Open

November 5th

Additional Conference Information:

Title II-A may be used for registration and travel expenses.

There is not a designated conference hotel.  Attendees are welcome to stay where they would like.  There are several close by hotels in the Country Club Plaza area to consider.

Title II-A funds - Justification Letter

Conference Agenda At A Glance

Agenda

8:00 AM
Registration

8:30 AM
Welcome & Prayer

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
General Session
Karen Gaffney 

10:20 AM – 11:30 AM
General Session
From Struggling to Thriving: How AI is Revolutionizing Inclusion in PreK-12
Presented by:
Sean J Smith, PhD and Michael Faggella-Luby

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch & General Session
Wilting Flowers and Flourishing Souls
Presented by: 
Mark Bradford

1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Early Afternoon Breakout Sessions

2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Add-on for In-person Attendees

4:30 PM – 6:30 pm
BonFIRE
$40 at Grand Street Cafe

Agenda

8:15 AM
Welcome & Prayer

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
General Session
Engaging the Disengagement Dilemma
Presented by:
Dr. Christie Bonfiglio

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
General Session
MTSS in Action: Demystifying Tier 2 Interventions and Implementation
Presented by: 
Matt Braun, PhD, L/CCC-SLP

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM 
General Session 
Every Single Soul: The Case for Inclusionary Approaches in Catholic Schools
Presented by:
Michael J. Boyle, Ph.D

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
General Session & Lunch
College is Possible for Students with Intellectual Disabilities! The Urgent Call for Catholic Colleges to Say Yes!
Presented by: 
Beth & Patrick Foraker

1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Early Afternoon Breakout Sessions

3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Afternoon Breakout Sessions  

*Agenda is subject to change. 

Sessions

Accommodating Students with Disabilities with Specially Designed Instruction in Content Area Classrooms

Breakout Session

Catholic School Education Plans

Breakout Session

Click, Teach, Include: AI Tools for Every Learner

Breakout Session

College is Possible for Students with Intellectual Disabilities! The Urgent Call for Catholic Colleges To Say Yes!  

General Session

Engaging the Disengagement Dilemma

General Session

Every Single Soul: The Case for Inclusionary Approaches in Catholic Schools

General Session

From Struggling to Thriving: How AI is Revolutionizing Inclusion in PreK-12

General Session

Inclusion: Ready or Not, Here It Comes! 

Breakout Session

MTSS in Action: Demystifying Tier 2 Interventions and Implementation

General Session

Opening the Doors of Tomorrow Today….How Inclusion Worked for Me!

Breakout Session

Promoting Student Success in a High-Ratio Setting

Breakout Session

Special Education and General Education: A Force to be Reckoned With

Breakout Session

The Journey of a Thousand Miles: Building Capacity to Educate Students with Disabilities

Breakout Session

The Nitty Gritty of Tier 2 Interventions

Breakout Session

We Belong!

General Session

Wilting Flowers and Flourishing Souls

General Session

Speakers
Tyler Goevert, FIRE speaker

Tyler Goevert
Mary Desmarais, M.Ed

Mary Desmarais, M.Ed
Michael Faggella-Luby, PhD

Michael Faggella-Luby, PhD
Dr. Karen Gaffney

Karen Gaffney
Beth Foraker, FIRE speaker

Beth & Patrick Foraker
Dr. Christie Bonfiglio

Dr. Christie Bonfiglio
Amy Wantz

Amy Wantz
Audrey Hihn

Audrey Hihn
Matt Braun, PhD, L/CCC-SLP

Matt Braun, PhD, L/CCC-SLP
Sean J. Smith, PhD

Sean J. Smith, PhD
Michael J. Boyle, PhD

Michael J. Boyle, PhD
Mark Bradford

Mark Bradford

Location

Kauffman Foundation Conference Center 
4801 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110 

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Contact Information

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