Calendar of Events

 2012 Spring Conference by the Austin Branch of

The International Dyslexia Association

 Advancing Literacy Through Technology:

Focusing on Students with Written Language Disorders

Saturday, February 25, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 Scottish Rite Auditorium

308 Ave. E

San Antonio, TX 78205

 CEU Credit Hours:  Five (5) ALTA

 For scholarship information, see AABIDA website

www.austinida.org

WiFi is available, so bring your Laptops!

Click Here for Registration Form

 The Austin Branch of the International Dyslexia Association would like to thank our supporters, attendees, speakers, and members who are making this event exciting and informative.  We would also specially thank the Scottish Rite Learning Center of South Texas and their supporters for providing their facility for this event.

AABIDA Conference Schedule – Feb. 25, 2012

 8:30 – 9:00       Registration

 9:00 – 10:30     Keynote – Kelli Hodges, Dell Global Education, “Empowering All Learners to Learn!

Embracing learning styles, engaging individuals and empowering students to learn with technology!” Today all children are digital natives.  They engage in a world that allows them to explore, collaborate and, produce.  Many times when children enter the world of school those tools are turned off and the child’s ability to learn and express him/herself is lost.    During the keynote we will examine the trends impacting technology in the eyes of children, educators and parents as they look to bridge the digital divide of what is happening today and what our children will be expected to do tomorrow.

10:40 – 11:30    Break-out Sessions:

                                    Intel - Lou Meier, “Intel Reader: Point, Shoot, Listen”

                                    Dell - Kelli Hodges, “Empowering All Learners to Learn!” Hands On session

                                    Lexia - Cindi Jensen, “Take Flight with Lexia Version 8”

 11:30 – 1:00      Lunch on your own

 1:00 – 1:50        Break-out Sessions (same as 10:40 – 11:30 sessions):

                                    Intel

                                    Dell

                                    Lexia

 2:00 – 3:30       Nichole Kertis, Region XIII, “The Right Tools for Literacy”

 3:30                 Evaluations and Certificates 

Seating is limited, and reservations will be taken on a “first come, first served” basis.

 Cancellation and Postponement Policy

·         In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, AABIDA will attempt to reschedule the conference.

·         Payments or purchase orders for the conference will not be refunded.

Click Here for Registration Form

Advancing Literacy Through Technology:

Focusing on Students with Written Language Disorders

AABIDA 2012 Conference – Feb. 25, 2012

By the Austin Area Branch of the IDA 

Keynote: Kelli A. Hodges, M. ED Special Education, Dell Global Education

Kelli Hodges has over 20 years of experience in education.  She began her career as a teacher of students with special needs. As an educator Kelli began a transition program for students with multiple disabilities.  The program focused on building the skills necessary for each individual that would empower them to have a higher quality of life.  With the assistance of technology, Kelli was able to build gaps in communication, job coaching and social skills that empower the individuals to lead independent lives.   Upon leaving the public sector, Kelli joined forces with Pearson Education in their Digital Solutions Group where she developed, delivered and designed solutions to ensure all students received the personalized learning that will empower them to be successful.  Kelli believes that students need to have the power to learn with the tools and resources that best meet their individual learning styles and needs. While working at Pearson, Kelli was featured as a spotlight presenter for ISTE, ASCD, IRA, NCTM and CEC.  In 2007, Kelli joined Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as the Senior Director of Product Marketing.  In this role, she drove solutions around meeting the needs of all students and educated Professionals in the needs of the K12 and higher education market space.  Now at Dell, Kelli is excited to be leading initiatives in Global Education focused specifically on meeting the needs of ALL. She will be launching a global solution in Assistive Technology that will empower students in K12 and HiED to excel to their potential.   Kelli is a graduate of the University of Dayton and has a Master’s in Education from Kent State University. 

Nichole Kertis, Region XIII

Nichole Kertis is an occupational therapist with over 15 years of school-based experience.  She is currently the Education Specialist for Related Services and Assistive Technology at ESC XIII.  Her professional experience encompasses integrating technology into instruction in support of struggling readers and writers. Nichole presents regionally and at statewide conferences on topics related to best practices in educational and assistive technology. Nichole’s session will provide participants with a framework for considering accommodations in the areas of reading and writing.  We will explore a variety of software programs with an emphasis on low cost technology tools that are readily available.  Participants will leave with a toolkit to support literacy skills.  You are encouraged to bring your laptop. 

Cindi Jensen, Lexia Learning, National Accounts Director

A Special Educator for Portland Public Schools for 14 years, Ms. Jenson taught both Severely Emotional Disturbed populations and Orthopedically Impaired Students as part of the Home Hospital program at Shriners’ Children’s Hospital.  She left the district and the classroom to become a trainer and implementation manager for a Curriculum Management Software Company called Abacus.  The company was bought by Pearson and she became a Systems Engineer (i.e. the Demo Queen) for their NA Sales Force. She then moved into sales with several software and educational publishers.  Now working with Lexia and Texas Educational Solutions, Ms. Jensen says that her experience in selling into the educational market place is both rewarding and challenging as she has made a bigger impact on educating children after leaving the classroom and globally placing software and services that help school districts do a better job of teaching and reaching our kids.  She lives in Portland Oregon where she was born and raised. She surrounds herself with family and friends and a deaf Dalmatian.  

Lou Meier, Market Development Manager – Central - Intel Reader

Lou Meier is Market Development Manager for Care Innovation, an Intel-GE Company in the Central US.  Lou lives in Richardson, Texas and is responsible for creating demand for the Intel Reader in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and New Mexico.  Lou’s business background includes several sales and sales management positions with computer related companies.  Most of his career was devoted to developing new international markets.  In his various roles he has opened new markets in Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.  Just prior to joining Care Innovations, Lou was comfortably retired.  Retirement offered time to pursue travel, sailing, golfing, fishing, hunting and time with his wife of 40 plus years.  Although enjoyable, Lou felt he still had much more to offer.  Lou has dyslexia, and saw Care Innovations’ Intel Reader as an opportunity to make a difference.  Lou is enjoying his second chance at affecting the lives of those who need help with the written word.  Lou and his wife have two daughters both of whom live in Portland, Oregon.  Both daughters are in careers which focus on improving the quality of life of those they serve. 

Location:    The conference will be held at The Scottish Rite Auditorium, 308 Ave. E,

San Antonio, TX 78205

Parking:     There is a parking fee of $7.00 in the church parking lot across 4th street.

CEUs:        Five (5) ALTA CEU credit hours have been approved. Certificates of

Attendance will be given at the conference and may enable participants to

register their credits with the appropriate licensing boards or associations.

Area Hotel Rooms: If you are arriving from out of town, there is a wide variety of area hotels to choose from. Among them are: Emily Morgan, 705 E Houston - (210) 225-5100; Hampton Inn, 414 Bowie Street - (210) 225-8500;  Marriott Residence Inn, 425 Bonham - (210) 212-5555; are within very easy walking distance. A little farther is La Quinta, Menger, and the New Grand Hyatt.

Click Here for Registration Form