This webcast is intended for special educators, related service providers, and other staff members who work with students with Autism on a daily basis. This webcast will provide educators who work with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder an opportunity to learn how to incorporate the use of visuals into their classrooms. They will learn the importance of using visuals within four critical areas: instruction, environment, behavior, and communication. Teachers will be provided with ways to implement visual strategies into both self-contained and general education environments. At the end of the webcast participants will be able to better plan for creating visual strategies into various parts of the school day.  

Amy Horne is a graduate of Springfield College (BS) and Smith College (MED), both in western Massachusetts, as well as University of Mary Washington (M.Ed.) in Fredericksburg, VA. She taught students with hearing impairment for four years after receiving her master’s degree in 2003 in deaf education. She taught elementary students with autism in Stafford County Public Schools for eight years before becoming the autism coordinator in 2014, which is her current position. She has worked collaboratively on multiple committees and projects within Stafford County and continues to support autism programs and teachers throughout the county at this time. 

Tracey Phillips is a graduate of Syracuse University.  During her time at SU she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (k-6) and Special Education (k-12), as well as a specialization in Psychology.  She is endorsed in the disability areas of ED, LS, and LD.  Upon graduation she moved to Virginia where she has dedicated the last 19 years working as a Special Education teacher in Stafford County Public Schools. The first eight years of her career she served as an ED teacher at Brooke Point High School.  After a brief stint working outside of the classroom as a resource teacher for children with Autism and those with Emotional Disabilities, she decided to return to her roots as a teacher at Kate Waller Barrett Elementary. She has spent the last nine years back in the classroom devoting her time to working with children with Autism.  She is a Level 2 teacher who is certified in both TEAACH and PECS Level 1 and 2.

Nancy Sorrentino is currently the Autism Coordinator for Elementary School programs with Stafford County Public Schools.  She is a 30 year veteran in the field of special education beginning as an autism teacher in 1985 after graduating from James Madison University.  She has been a classroom teacher, Transition Specialist, Behavior Specialist and Autism Coordinator.  Throughout the years Nancy has collaborated with TTACs and independently with school systems throughout the state to assist in Person-Centered Planning training as well as PBIS.