Governor Mikie Sherrill • Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell

What is the Winter Learning Institute?

The Office of Special Education is excited to announce the 3rd Annual Winter Learning Institute 2026 (WLI 2026)! This year’s theme, Turning Barriers into Bridges, reflects a shared commitment to removing obstacles to access, participation, and success across educational settings. Sessions focus on inclusive instruction, behavior and well‑being, family engagement, early childhood education, secondary transition, compliance and systems, and targeted supports for diverse learners.

WLI 2026 will be offered from March 2–13, 2026, and is designed for educators, administrators, case managers, related service providers, and families. All sessions are offered virtually to promote accessibility and statewide participation.

To register:

  1. Review the offerings organized by topic.
  2. Click on the link provided for each of the sessions you wish to attend.
  3. Submit your interest by filling out the webinar registration form.
  4. If a session is full, email TAEdServices@doe.nj.gov to be added to the waitlist.

Reminders and resources will be sent out 24-48 hours in advance of the session.

Session Title Presenter(s) Date and Time
Designing Inclusive Classrooms with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Erice Reid March 2, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. –12:00 p.m.
Designing Inclusive Classrooms with Differentiated Instruction Erice Reid March 4, 2026 | 9:00–10:30 a.m.
High‑Leverage Practices: A Pathway to Inclusive Success Sara Jutcovich March 5, 2026 | 9:30–11:00 a.m. 
Designing for All: Strategies for Maximizing Instruction to Reach All Learners Julie Lang March 6, 2026 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. 
Meet the Early Literacy Specialist in the Office of Special Education Sherry DuBoff March 10, 2026 | 11:00–12:00 p.m. 
Power in Partnership: Maximizing Co-Teaching for Student Success Lauren Baldino March 10, 2026 | 12:00–1:30 p.m. 

Session Title Presenter(s) Date and Time
From Triggers to Triumph: Supporting Student Behavior in Any Classroom Michele Lockwood March 2, 2026 | 9:00–10:30 a.m.
Supporting Student Self-Regulation Jordan Fagan March 3, 2026 | 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Executive Function and Language: Practical Strategies to Boost Engagement and Independence in All Learners Kristen Gavinelli March 4, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 p.m.
From Triggers to Triumph: Supporting Student Behavior in Any Classroom Michele Lockwood March 6, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 a.m. 
The Behavior Support Toolbox: Prevention and Response Strategies for the Classroom Sharon Lohrmann March 10, 2026 | 9:30–11:00 a.m. 
Executive Function and Language: Practical Strategies to Boost Engagement and Independence in All Learners Kristen Gavinelli March 11, 2026 | 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Let’s Discuss Trauma‑Informed Practices for Young Children Corinne Catalano March 12, 2026 | 1:30–2:30 p.m. 
Restraint and Seclusion Damian Petino, Heather Roessler, and Katie Fallon March 13, 2026 | 9:30–11:00 a.m.

Session Title Presenter(s) Date and Time
Discipline and Removals of Students with Disabilities Victoria Marcheski March 2, 2026 | 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Case Manager’s Compass: Compliance for Case Managers – Part 1 Ashley Pichardo and Victoria Marcheski March 5, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 
Case Manager’s Compass: Compliance for Case Managers – Part 2 Ashley Pichardo and Victoria Marcheski March 9, 2026 | 9:30–11:00 a.m. 
Facilitated Individualized Education Program (IEP) Meetings (FIEP) Cynthia Hoenes‑Saindon March 11, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 
Restraint and Seclusion Damian Petino, Heather Roessler, and Katie Fallon March 13, 2026 | 9:30–11:00 a.m.

Session Title Presenter(s) Date and Time
Facilitating Equitable and Inclusive Family Engagement Essence Maradiaga March 3, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 
From Referral to Individualized Education Program (IEP): A Special Education Roadmap for Families Iris Devaughn, Ayfa Danish, and Talesha Grubbs March 13, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 
Strengthening Family Engagement for Kindergarten Through Grade 3 (K–3) Educators to Boost Literacy Success at Home for Students with Disabilities Sherry Duboff March 13, 2026 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. 

Session Title Presenter(s) Date and Time
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Preschool: Best Practices That Support All Children Eva Kovacs and Shana Stanley March 4, 2026 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. 
Designing Inclusive Preschool: Putting Principles into Practice Together Jennifer Nicosia, Ilene Goy, and Sriparna Bhattacharyya March 9, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 
Let’s Discuss Trauma‑Informed Practices for Young Children Corinne Catalano March 12, 2026 | 1:30–2:30 p.m.

Session Title Presenter(s) Date and Time
Secondary Transition Planning for Students with High‑Incidence Disabilities Sarah Spitzmiller March 4, 2026 | 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (ET)

Session Title Presenter(s) Date and Time
Strengthening Instruction and Access for Students with Autism Across Educational Settings Amanda Philp and Kaitlin Eberhardt March 5, 2026 | 12:00–1:30 p.m. 
Enhancing Instruction for Multilingual Students with Disabilities (MLSWD) Eileen Osieja March 12, 2026 | 12:00–1:30 p.m.

Session Title Presenter(s) Date and Time
Using the Educational Environment Dashboard 2.0 to Improve System‑Level Results Eileen Osieja and Alexandra Pensiero March 3, 2026 | 9:30–11:00 a.m.
Introduction to the New Jersey (NJIP) Inclusion Project Michele Gardner March 12, 2026 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. 
Meet the Early Literacy Specialist in the Office of Special Education Sherry Duboff March 10, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

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