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Building for Better Outcomes
Register today to join Dr. David Bateman and Special Guests for our FREE 3-part virtual workshop for Special Education Leaders to build stronger systems, supported teams, and ’26–27 readiness.
REGISTER TODAY
Create Sustainable Frameworks for Your District
In just three 1-hour sessions, you'll have a plan that enables you to lead with confidence, plus $1,000+ in take-home tools for you and your staff.
TEAM READY WORKSHEETS to clarify expectations and reduce confusion
PLUG & PLAY COMMUNICATION TOOLS for district-wide consistency
PLANNING TEMPLATES to build durable staffing and service models
Register For Free
What You'll Get From Each Session
Building Strong Foundations
for Special Education Teams
Build clarity and confidence through strong internal collaboration, communication, and support systems.
By spring, directors aren't onboarding—they’re recalibrating. Staff are tired. Systems are stretched. Expectations may be inconsistent across sites. This session helps leaders realign their internal teams now, and prepare to roll stronger systems into summer and fall.
Presented By: Dr. David Bateman and guest speaker Angie Balsley, Special Education Director in Indiana
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Leaders will learn how to revisit expectations mid-year, clarify what’s non-negotiable vs. flexible, and create alignment across campuses without overwhelming staff.
- Build predictable communication systems that reduce confusion and prevent last-minute escalations.
- Implement simple, sustainable tools that increase transparency and confidence across the team.
RESOURCES & HANDOUTS:
- Non-Negotiables vs. Flex Points Worksheet
- Campus Consistency Checklist (Service delivery, Data practices, Escalation protocols, Instructional expectations)
- Staff Reflection Prompt Sheet (Helps teams identify what’s working and what needs adjustment)
Building Cross-Campus Collaboration to Support Special Education Success
Shifting from crisis response to proactive, schoolwide collaboration that strengthens systems.
Directors often live in a triggered, crisis-only interaction cycle. This session focuses on how ongoing contact reduces fires and increases shared ownership.
Presented By: Dr. David Bateman and guest speaker Amy Gleeson, Special Education Director in Michigan
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Empower site leaders with actionable tools that reinforce Special Education practices across every campus.
- Build predictable communication routines that strengthen trust and prevent last-minute escalations.
- Align school teams and families around clear, consistent expectations that rebuild trust.
RESOURCES & HANDOUTS:
- Parent playbook
- Team gratitude cards
- Team meeting mock agenda / Icebreakers for team building
Building Strategic Plans for Sustainable Support
Stay Ahead: Building Long-Term Systems, Reducing Burnout, and Preparing for Next Year
This session helps directors move from reactive planning to intentional system design, ensuring teams are supported, staffed, and aligned before burnout peaks or service gaps appear. Participants will learn how to assess current capacity, anticipate next year’s needs, structure sustainable staffing models, and proactively engage partners around renewals.
Presented By: Dr. David Bateman and guest speaker
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Leaders will walk away with tools to review data, staffing patterns, and service demands to understand where teams need support now—before issues carry into summer or fall.
- Plan early for next year’s needs by projecting staffing demands, aligning caseloads, and engaging teams in proactive conversations that build sustainable service models and prevent start-of-year chaos.
- Attendees will learn strategies for partnering with school and district leaders early—clarifying expectations, outlining support needs, and aligning on what success should look like in the year ahead.
RESOURCES & HANDOUTS:
- Next-year readiness checklist
- Retention and recognition ideas playbook
- Annual Special Education systems calendar
- Burnout reflection worksheet for team leads
MEET YOUR FACILITATOR
About Dr. David Bateman
I'm David F. Bateman, Ph.D., a former professor in Pennsylvania where I taught courses on special education law, assessment, and IEP development. I've also worked as a due process hearing officer, building administrator, and classroom teacher for students with a range of disabilities.
I’ve spent my career focused on helping schools support students with disabilities—not just because it's required by law, but because it's the right thing to do. I believe in empowering educators to feel confident and legally sound in the decisions they make for their students.
I use my background in litigation and special education law to help school districts stay in compliance, recover from disputes, and most importantly, build proactive, meaningful supports for students. I also work with state agencies on system-level change and policy improvement.
In this session, I’ll share practical insights to help you navigate special education law, avoid common legal pitfalls, and strengthen your IEP processes. My goal is to support you in leading with clarity and confidence in a complex legal landscape.
specialedconsultant.orgMeet Your Guest Speakers
Angie Balsley is the Founder and CEO of Unified Leadership. She also serves as a Senior Consultant for the national Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE).
Angie is a licensed special education teacher, principal, special education director, and superintendent with twenty-seven years of experience working in schools. She earned her doctorate in Education Leadership & Policy Studies from Indiana University and a masters degree in Strategic Management from the Kelley School of Business.
Angie has a history of effective and collaborative leadership in both career and community roles. She is the Past President of the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education (ICASE) and served as the Policy & Legislative Chairperson for national CASE.
Amy is deeply passionate about contributing to the betterment of public education. With over 25 years of experience in K–12 education, she has served as a school counselor, principal, and director of special education, bringing a comprehensive and student-centered perspective to every role she holds.
A dynamic and collaborative leader, Amy is recognized for building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with educators, families, and community partners. As a systems thinker, she excels at conceptualizing and implementing structures that drive continuous improvement and promote successful outcomes for all learners.
Beyond her professional work, Amy brings the same energy and balance to her personal life. She enjoys paddleboarding, skiing, boating, and spending time outdoors, believing that a healthy balance of work and play fuels both personal fulfillment and professional excellence. This balance has supported her countless contributions to strengthening public education over the course of her career.