Fairfax County Public Schools announced on Apr. 28 that attendance at its annual Special Education Family Conference more than doubled this year, with nearly 500 community members participating in a day of learning. The event was held in collaboration with various internal and external partners to support families and educators.
The conference’s theme, “Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools,” highlighted the importance of partnerships between families and schools to positively impact every student. Attendees heard from keynote speaker Shelley Moore, an inclusive education researcher, teacher, consultant, and storyteller. Moore’s address, “The Evolution of Inclusion,” discussed how understanding diversity and identity has influenced the evolution of inclusion in education.
Breakout sessions during the conference encouraged collaboration among participants, focused on empowering students, developing effective goals and support systems, and providing tools for families to assist their children’s educational journeys. An exhibitor hall featured resources from 29 organizations about community events and services. A student showcase celebrated the talents of Fairfax County Public Schools students; among those highlighted were teams from Annandale High School Special Olympics, Bull Run Elementary School Special Olympics, and Marshall High School Unified Special Olympics.
At the conference, the Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities recognized 13 individuals or teams with First-Class Awards for excellence in supporting students with disabilities. Melissa Muse-Brown received the Central Office award as an administrative assistant in Special Services. Muse-Brown said after receiving her award: “[It is truly an honor] to be recognized for my efforts to ensure all our students receive the best education. This recognition encourages me to keep pushing and advocating for our students.”
Other honorees included teachers Colleen O’Carroll (Rolling Valley Elementary), Liz Smith (Aldrin Elementary), Katie Shaw (Annandale High School), administrators Christine Berry (Mount Vernon Woods Elementary) and Montell Brown (Centreville High School), specialists such as Dr. Sheila Moore-Neff (Vision & Hearing Services), program staff Meredith Renard and Julieta Luna Lopez (Davis Career Center), community partner Marissa E. King (PE Systems Inc.), students Kairo-Aicha Boyd and Madison Roegner, as well as a team from Franklin Sherman Elementary.
The work of these award winners supports Fairfax County Public Schools’ Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, Empowered—aiming to foster student safety as well as an inclusive school climate.
