Teaching certificates usually expire every few years, depending on the state. In order to renew a teaching certificate, each teacher must participate in a certain number of hours of professional development through classes, seminars, and other applicable criteria. Educational conferences are a great place to achieve these hours while learning from professional colleagues.

Part 1: Conferences

Conferences are organized by a variety of agencies, including professional organizations and state departments of education. Identify two national or IOWA conferences on moderate to severe special education and review the emphasis of each conference. Based on the information you learned, in (500-750 words), compose a proposal convincing your administration of the benefits of the conference.

• Summarize pertinent information about each conference including:
  • The title, audience, dates, and location
  • Sponsoring organizations
  • Theme or focus
  • Corporate sponsors, if applicable
  • Registration requirements for attendees (including costs)
  • Information and requirements for speakers who want to submit proposals (including stipends)
• Reflect on the following:
  • Describe how attending conferences will benefit you professionally.
  • Identify ethical considerations when attending conferences, collaborating with other professionals, and using what you learned with students.
  • Explain how sharing your knowledge and engaging with other educators could be a collaborative technique for supporting students with moderate to severe disabilities. Provide specific examples of how the suggested conference could provide support for students, as well as advance the profession through engagement in advocacy and mentoring activities .

Part 2: Presentation Proposal

After researching and reflecting on available conferences, (create a 12-15 slide) digital presentation in which you propose a session for a national or state conference that is being offered for parents/guardians, special education educators, and related service providers.

Create a presentation proposal that addresses the following:

• The effect that having a child with a moderate to severe disability has on a family and the best strategies for families to be involved with their education.
• With the understanding that students with moderate to severe disabilities develop at different rates and have different abilities, explain the importance of differentiated instruction for students with moderate to severe disabilities.
• Explain how diversity is a part of families, cultures, and school. Provide an example of how you will ethically support the diversity that impacts each student's learning environment.
• Explain how complex human issues (challenges, obstacles) can interact with the delivery of special education services and learning of individuals with disabilities and how they can be overcome to provide students an environment in which they can flourish.
• Explain how to advocate for students with moderate to severe disabilities, including education of staff and equality of access for all students.
• Include a title slide, reference slide, and presenter's notes.

Support your presentation with at least two scholarly resources.

Digital presentation should include graphics that are relevant to the content, visually appealing, and use space appropriately.

(Use APA to cite resources)