TAER 2025 Conference: Full Schedule

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10:00am CDT

Feel the Beat, Touch the Art: A Multi-Sensory Journey LIMITED

Saturday March 22, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CDT

This session is an immersive, hands-on experience designed to engage participants in the world of art and music through touch and sound. Techniques from the TSBVI publication, “Artful Instruction,” will be introduced and participants will use their sense of touch, hearing, and intuition to experience creativity in new ways.

Speakers

Kat Heitman

TSVI, TSBVI

Kat Heitman is currently a TSVI at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired where she works as a teacher and program coordinator in Short-Term Programs. She holds a master’s degree in Special Education and has a combined amount of fourteen years teaching content and... Read More →

Eva Van Houten

TSVI, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Eva VanHouten is an experienced and passionate music educator at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She is dedicated to empowering students who are blind or have low-vision through the transformative power of music. With over fifteen years of experience as a music... Read More →

Saturday March 22, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CDT
Corpus Ballroom A - Breakout 900 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401

ECC

10:00am CDT

Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program’s Nonvisual Skills Training for Independence LIMITED

Saturday March 22, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CDT

Laguna Madre

Feedback Survey

Every person who is visually impaired will encounter moments where their vision is not "working for them". This presentation will describe how the Blind Children’s Program developed a hands-on nonvisual skills training program to enhance program participants’ independence, community engagement, and future vocational success.

Speakers

Shirley Franklin

Program Development Consultant, Health and Human Services Blind Children's Program

Shirley Franklin holds an MBA from National American University at Austin, TX and B.S. in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. She holds a certification as a contract manager with the state of Texas. Shirley is a program development consultant and... Read More →

Marshall Burns

Blind Children's Coordinator, TX HHSC- Blind Children's Program

Marshall Burns holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Currently, he works for the Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program as a program coordinator. In this role Mr. Burns assists with training new hires to work with children... Read More →

Saturday March 22, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CDT
Laguna Madre 900 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401

ECC

11:30am CDT

APH Abacus Bee Texas Style LIMITED

Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm CDT

Nueces B - Breakout

Feedback Survey

The APH Abacus Bee is a fun and engaging competition designed to ignite a passion for mathematics for blind or low vision students. The competition ensures participation through individual learning styles through print or braille and encourages the use of mental math and abacus skills unlocking mathematical potential.

Speakers

Maricela Garza

TSVInRetired ProfessionalnESC Adjunct Consultant, ESC Region 20

Mari Garza is a Teacher for Students with Visual Impairments with 20 years of experience. She has worked in schools and has been the VI Consultant at Education Service Center, Region 2, and Education Service Center, Region 20. Her background includes Speech Therapy, Assistive Technology... Read More →

Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm CDT
Nueces B - Breakout 900 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401, USA

ECC, Math

11:30am CDT

Empowering Self-Advocacy through Creative Strategies LIMITED

Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm CDT

Corpus Ballroom A - Breakout

Feedback Survey

Professionals will gain insight into fun ways to empower students with confidence to advocate for their needs in the classroom and community. In this session, participants will explore a variety of ways to help students learn about their vision and accommodations they need through various lesson plans and accompanying activities.

Speakers

Shay Utley

COMS, Mansfield ISD

Shay Utley has been a COMS for 27 years. She began her career at the Lighthouse for the Blind in Fort Worth, Texas for 6 years and she has been serving students in the Mansfield ISD for the last 21 years. Shay has served students ages 0-22 years of age with diverse visual and cognitive... Read More →

Anissa Letterman

TSVInCOMS, Mansfield ISD

Anissa Letterman previously taught Pre-K Music and Stretch-N-Grow toddlers to 6th graders, assisted in Special Ed Resource and taught 3rd grade. She graduated from SFASU with her Masters. Since 2017, she worked in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD as a Teacher of students with Visual Impairments... Read More →

Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm CDT
Corpus Ballroom A - Breakout 900 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401

ECC

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11:30am CDT

Go-Go Gadgets LIMITED

Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm CDT

Aransas - Breakout

Feedback Survey

A variety of Independent Living Skill gadgets will be presented to help one teach students of varying abilities different ways to approach kitchen skills. Additionally, images of high-marked appliances will be shown to provide guidance for increasing accessibility at school and home.

Speakers

Dori Senatori

TSVI, The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Yvonne Corson

TSVI Residential Teacher, TSBVI

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and taught general education algebra for 20 years. I am currently a TSVI and have worked as a Residential Teacher at TSBVI for 7 years teaching Independent Living Skills.

Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm CDT
Aransas - Breakout 900 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401

ECC

11:30am CDT

The Legacy of Blind Blues Musicians LIMITED

Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm CDT

Laguna Madre

Feedback Survey

Throughout history, blind musicians have demonstrated skill across many musical forms. Many found a niche in the American blues scene. This presentation will discuss blues genres chosen and sometimes dominated by blind performers. We'll also discuss the artists themselves: their stories, their contributions, and offer representative music samples.

Speakers

Billy Brookshire

Retired Professional, Retired

Billy Brookshire has over forty-five years experience in rehabilitation and training. He has presented workshops throughout the US and Canada on a variety of topics. He served as President of AER, Executive Chair of the Intergovernmental Training Council, & Chair of the Hall of Fame... Read More →

Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm CDT
Laguna Madre 900 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401

ECC