Transition Academies 2024

This summer, Transition Tennessee will host 3 in-person transition academies to share best practices as they relate to providing transition services to students with disabilities. This year, we invite you to submit a presentation proposal! If you have successfully implemented a transition practice you want to share with others, fill out the proposal application below!

The in-person academies will be in each of the three grand regions (west, middle, east). *You will not be expected to present at all three locations.

  • June 6th at Dickson County High School (Dickson, TN)
  • June 27th at Bartlett High School (Bartlett, TN)
  • July 9th at East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN)

Description of Presentations

Presentations should focus on an area(s) of transition (e.g., instruction, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) service delivery, community resources), that include best practices, as well as practical tips for implementation. Each presentation will be 50 minutes. Dynamic presentations that involve participants are highly encouraged.
Below, we list some examples of presentation topics we would welcome. Please note, these are just suggestions! We look forward to your creative ideas.

  • You and an employer present about your partnership and student employment opportunities.
  • You present on transition assessment strategies you have used to meaningfully include students.

Please use the links below to register for the 2024 academies and/or to submit a proposal.

 *The deadline to submit your application is March 29th at 5 pm (CST). Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by April 12th.*

 

Past Conferences

Helping students transition well to adulthood is a primary purpose of special education. Passport to the Future provides educators, community rehabilitation providers, VR staff, family members, and others an opportunity to learn about best practices in preparing students for life after high school.

The 2021 Passport to the Future conference was held virtually on January 25. It was the pre-conference day for the Partners in Education (PIE) statewide special education conference. Over 800 people registered to attend 25 sessions and hear from over 72 presenters.

Our keynote panel of family members from the 2020 Passport to the Future conference returned to discuss their perspectives on how educators can partner with and empower families during a time when many are working and learning remotely. Watch the full keynote panel from the 2021 conference now!

2022

The 2022 Transition Summer Academies were held in Shelby, Rutherford, and Knox Counties. Below you will find recordings of the sessions

2021

View highlighted sessions from the conference below

2020

Our Passport to the Future conference was held on January 27th, 2020 in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Education’s Partners in Education (PIE) statewide special education conference at Music City Center in Nashville. Passport to the Future will equip educators, school administrators, VR professionals, providers, family members, and others with the tools and strategies to prepare young people with disabilities for life after high school.

Click here to download the program!

2019

Our 2019 keynote speaker, LeDerick Horne, inspired attendees with his keynote address. Diagnosed with a learning disability in the third grade, LeDerick Horne defies any and all labels. He’s a dynamic spoken-word poet. A tireless advocate for all people with disabilities. An inspiring motivational speaker. A bridge-builder between learners and leaders across the U.S. and around the world. We had an opportunity to capture some of his spoken-word poetry: “Dare to Dream”