Special education conference brings district staff together for professional development

KENNEBUNK, Maine — Special education staff from across RSU 21 gathered for a first-of-its-kind professional development conference focused on integrating special education services with general education and least restrictive environments.

The conference, held on Mar. 6 at the Arundel Masonic Lodge #76 in Kennebunkport, featured group activities and speakers like public school attorney Eric Herland from Drummond-Woodsum, who covered a wide array of topics, including a discussion about the least restrictive environment requirements and educational accommodations.

"What we have to think about is what is required and necessary for students while also thinking about what the educational benefit is for them," said RSU 21 Assistant Director of Special Services Will Putnam, Ph.D. "What Eric did beautifully is to articulate the fact that that's always a balancing act with our students."

The event marked the first time all special educators in the district were brought together for a unified training day. Traditionally, such gatherings have been limited to individual departments like math or English.

"The room was filled with so much positive energy,” said RSU 21 Special Services Director Rachel Bratter. “Watching our staff connect with district partners was truly inspiring. We picked up insights that will change how our whole department works, and we're already talking about what to cover next year.”

"Our strategic plan inspires us to think about that in brand new ways," Putnam added. "This is an effort to do something similar to what the social studies department or the math department or the English department throughout the entire district, to get our teachers to collaborate with one another, to hear similar messaging, to gain consistency throughout the department."

Jason Kenuk, a resource teacher and case manager at Kennebunk High School, appreciated the legal insights provided during the conference.

"I loved hearing Eric speak. He’s very informative about the law," Kenuk said. "A lot of what he talked about is new knowledge to me.”

Greg Hesse-Stromberg, a social worker at the Middle School of the Kennebunks, also valued the opportunity to connect with colleagues.

"I have really loved learning about the legal side of the least restrictive environment," Hesse-Stromberg said. "It’s really helpful learning new information about how we can help our students be more integrated into the classrooms and support them in those roles."

The conference also provided rare networking opportunities for specialists who don't often interact with their counterparts at other schools.

"As a social worker, I don't see the other social workers in the district very often," Hesse-Stromberg added. "Being together with them, but also having that connection to the resource room teachers and the other specialists is all incredibly beneficial for us."

The conference adds another chapter to the growing relationship between RSU 21 and the Masons, who donated the space to the district. In 2024, the Masons gave $48,000 to the district to support the Orton-Gillingham intervention program, a rigorous course for educators to become certified instructors for students with dyslexia.

“The Masons have been an incredible partner,” Bratter said. “They have been so supportive of our mission and vision, and letting us use their lodge for this first-of-its-kind professional development shows just how much they value our community and educators.”