Illyce Kaarto, Suzanne Hackett, Susan Baysinger-DCS Montessori Charter School

Illyce Kaarto is currently the Middle School Learning Specialist at DCS Montessori, where she also served as a Lower Elementary Guide for many years.   Happily teaching since 1994, she has been honored to work with students in various planes of development, and finds Montessori to be a deep passion.  She holds her AMS Secondary I-II  and EI Credentials, her M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education, and her Colorado Elementary and Special Education License 0-21.   She loves to hike, garden, cook, and travel with her husband, their two boys (one Montessori High Schooler and one Montessori Farm Schooler), and their much loved Great Dane puppy named Willow.

Title: Special Education in a Montessori School

Description: With Montessori materials and lessons, students with learning or developmental challenges can succeed—after all, Montessori began with children who learn differently. This workshop will offer an introduction to aspects of special education in a Montessori public charter school, including such topics as current federal law and the special education process. We will also present a general overview of learning disabilities, speech and language disabilities, and mental health disabilities. The team of presenters will include Illyce Kaarto (Learning Specialist and Montessori Guide), Susan Baysinger (Speech and Language Pathologist), and Suzi Hackett (School Psychologist).