Agenda

Desiree Peña, MA, CCC-SLP is a Maine-licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) who holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Langauge Hearing Association. She is the owner of Panorama Speech Therapy. In 2024, she earned the Advanced Certificate in bilingual speech-language pathology from Teachers College at Columbia University. She has extensive experience in the areas of multilingual speech and language development, AAC evaluation and treatment, and culturally responsive evaluations and therapy. 

According to the Maine Department of Education’s Multilingual Learner Dashboard, the number of multilingual preK-12 students continues to increase every year. Currently, 4.7% of all Maine students are identified as multilingual learners and the number continues to grow, especially among younger students. This information highlights the need for all educators to find ways to connect with culturally and linguistically diverse students and to establish avenues for two-way communication with their parents. This keynote will highlight culturally responsive teaching practices that can be incorporated into their classroom. It will also address the important connection between educators and parents and discuss actionable strategies for strengthening engagement among the two. We will be centering the value of partnering with culturally and linguistically diverse families as a means to enrich school communities and to increase academic success for all students.

• Developing Executive Functions in Students of All Ages  
• Repairing the Harm and Leading with Conscience in Predominantly White Spaces 
• AAC Implementation for Ed Techs: Providing Access to Language Across the Day 
• Attendance IS Behavior 
• Become More Financially Savvy and Secure 
• Supporting Students and Staff Through Implementation of the Dangerous Behavior Prevention and Intervention Law   

• AI in Action: From Classroom Productivity to Student Agency 
• Learning and Leading Together: A Model for Building Family Leadership 
• Action Steps for Equity 
• Climate Literacy for All Pre-K – 12 Classrooms   
• Workplace Conversations: A Lesson for School Staff 
• Secrets of a Successful Organizer (part I of III)  

• The Empty Chair: Helping Students Cope with Grief 
• Strengthening Relationships through Wabanaki Studies 
• Storytelling to Strengthen Your Union 
• Responding to Challenging Behaviors Through Root Cause Analysis 
• Teach ME Outside: Building a Culture of Teaching Outside 
• Secrets of a Successful Organizer (part II of III)  

• Dreaming of Inclusive Media
• Special Education Referrals Post-COVID: What’s Changed and What You Need to Know
• School and Employment Law Basics 
• Keeping Disruptive Students Engaged: Examining the Need for Targeted Classroom Management Training  
• Building Community, Student Agency, and Critical Thinking Through Philosophy 
• Secrets of a Successful Organizer (part III of III)  

Ric Calhoun is a campus supervisor, football coach, union activist, and the 2026 NEA Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year.

Ric began his career in education 17 years ago as a paraeducator at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, Washington, supporting a student with behavioral and emotional needs for three years. After briefly working at a state-run facility for adults with disabilities, he returned to Inglemoor High School, where he served as a campus supervisor for 11 years, striving to create a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students. As a football coach and strong advocate for inclusion, he led efforts to expand Unified Sports under the Special Olympics umbrella, bringing together students with and without disabilities to foster friendships and break down stigma. Ric is the full-time release Vice President for ESPs in the Northshore Education Association (NSEA) and Co-chair of the Washington Education Association (WEA) ESP Bill of Rights Subcommittee. He also serves on multiple bargaining, labor-management, and equity teams. Through organizing, advocacy, and equity-focused leadership, Ric works to improve representation, foster inclusive workplaces, and strengthen support systems for ESPs. As NEA ESP of the Year, Ric serves as an ambassador for education support professionals across the country, speaking about the work and importance of ESPs at local, state, and national events.

Ric lives in Washington with his two sons and wife, Cheryl, who is a teacher at Inglemoor High School.

• Roll for Initiative! Dungeons & Dragons as a Method to Teach Union Values 
• Building Better Classroom Management: Assessment and Evidence-Based Classroom Management Strategies for School Teams 
• Family and Community Engagement  
• Playful Sensemaking: Nurturing Science and Engineering Through Play 
• National Board Certification: Improve Your Teaching. Support Your Students. Earn More Money.  
• End Your Day with Yoga