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Fitting the IEP Pieces

Together

Parents, Teachers, Related Service
Providers, and IEP Coordinators 
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Parent Advocacy

Watch a recording of our wildly successful interactive panel of experts to explore and enhance your Individualized Education Program (IEP) navigation skills! Moderated by a licensed social worker, the panel included diverse perspectives from a parent, social worker, district coordinator, and an IEP coordinator. We know the IEP process is highly complex, so through your watching the recording, we aim to mitigate confusion and solitude, empowering you with strategies for successful meetings.

WATCH IT HERE
Tammy Burns, Clerc Center Project Manager
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Two ladies looking at the iphone and smiles as one point at phone.

Viewers will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn about the roles and responsibilities of the members in IEP meetings and listen to different perspectives on those roles. They will also learn other practical approaches to create a common ground and the least harmful outcome for the deaf or hard of hearing child in an IEP meeting.
  • Explore the Clerc Center’s Parent Advocacy site, organized into three main categories (IEP Meetings, 504 Meetings, and Other Types of Meetings), to become more aware and prepared for meetings.
  • Use available resources in IEP Toolkits for deaf and hard of hearing students. A comprehensive list will be provided two weeks after the event, enhancing participants’ awareness, options, and opportunities for sharing IEP resources.

Meet the Moderator

In the picture, a smiling white Hispanic cisgender man faces the camera. He has short dark hair, a beard, glasses, and a grey polo shirt. Behind him is a light blue background with abstract shapes resembling a city skyline in the lower right corner.

DT Bruno

DT Bruno, LSW, LMSW, is a deaf Latino social worker from Florida. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Gallaudet University and Columbia University, respectively. Bruno spent three years in community mental health after receiving his master’s degree, during which he worked with children and collaborated with school districts. He currently teaches social work courses in the master’s degree program at Gallaudet. Bruno also does private practice, for which he provides psychotherapy services. 

Meet the Panelists

Yiesell Huerta

 

Parent

Yiesell Huerta, a mother of three, focuses on supporting families with deaf children, drawing from her experiences raising son Marcus, who communicates in American Sign Language and English. With 12+ years of experience, she empowers parents to advocate for their children. Huerta is the Latino Family Outreach coordinator for the American Society for Deaf Children. She is also the vice president for CA Hands & Voices and the camp director for the Inland Valley DHH and Microtia Atresia Family Camp. 

Brown hair, brown eyes, straight brown chin-length hair.

Stefanie Kessen

Educator/School District
Coordinator for DHH

Stefanie Kessen, MEd, is renowned for her expertise in the Itinerant Model, boasting over 25 years in the field. Her diverse experience includes roles as a teacher of the deaf in various settings and as a college and community interpreter. As a former education specialist for deaf and hard of hearing students in Wisconsin, she supported itinerant teachers statewide. In 2017, Kessen founded The Online Itinerant. She is currently president of the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf, continuing her impactful contributions to the field of deaf education.

A light skinned Hispanic woman with brown eyes and brown mid-length hair.

Madalyn Perez

IEP Coordinator/Administrator

Madalyn Perez, a learning disabilities teacher consultant at Newark Public Schools, boasts over 19 years of special education experience. Holding degrees in deaf education and special education, she’s worked with various districts, including Paterson and Newark. Beyond education, Perez pastors Newark Community Church, recognized for its community impact, alongside her husband. She treasures her family, comprising her husband Carlos and their three boys. Her paramount goal is to create cherished memories with her loved ones while living a God-centered life.

Holly is a white cis woman with light skin, blue eyes, straight blonde hair, pictured smiling wearing black shirt, on gray sofa with green pillow and light blue wall.

Holly Rioux

Related Service Provider

Holly Rioux, LICSW, a deaf social worker, brings nearly 20 years of experience in deaf mental health and human services. Notably, she directed a statewide deaf mental health program at Greater Nashua Mental Health in New Hampshire, expanding its services. Rioux’s advocacy extends to supporting legislation such as the New Hampshire Deaf Child Bill of Rights. She is currently a communication access administrator at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, focusing on macro social work initiatives for local communities.

Fitting the IEP
Pieces Together

Parents, Teachers, Related Service
Providers, and IEP Coordinators 

If you missed our recent live event, “Fitting the IEP Pieces Together,” it is now available in our online community!

WATCH IT HERE

About the Clerc Center

The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center with exemplary elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard of hearing students and is tasked with developing and disseminating innovative curricula, instructional techniques, and products nationwide while providing information, training, and technical assistance for parents and professionals to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students from birth to age 21.

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This site was supported by federal funding. Publication of this material shall not imply approval or acceptance by the U.S. Department of Education of the findings, conclusions, or recommendations herein. Gallaudet University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, hearing status, disability, covered veteran status, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, childbirth, or any other unlawful basis.

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