WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS & SPECIAL NEEDS PROVIDERS

Shake Up Old School Approaches with Real-World Solutions.

Amy Slutzky is here to shake things up! As a speaker and clinical educational advocate, her mission is to equip school professionals and special needs providers with clinically-based solutions that work wonders for learners, teachers and providers.

How is she able to do this?

DEI Illinois Teacher Burnout IEP Workshops

Amy brings a rare blend of experience as a special education policy expert, former teacher, licensed counselor, and parent of a child with special needs.

Her fresh perspective challenges outdated educational paradigms and flips them on their head. Brace yourself for the spark that ignites real change - inspiring you to ditch the status quo for something that, well, just makes sense. Amy’s workshops empower you to embrace innovative, science-backed strategies that are grounded in real-world practicality.

The result? Support that makes a difference for all learners—while easing burdens on teachers and providers!

Past Speaking Engagements

SIGNATURE WORKSHOP

Redesigning Best Practices: Boosting Student Success While Giving Teachers a Break

Today’s classrooms are juggling a LOT. With so many student accommodations on their plates, teachers are left scrambling to balance lesson plans with individualized education plans. Is there a better way, you ask? Yes! This workshop is all about flipping the script and raising the bar for EVERY student—not watering down expectations to accommodate a few.

Amy introduces a fresh set of best practices that give every student more “rungs on the ladder” to climb, without piling on extra work for teachers or aides. You’ll learn practical strategies that drive real student progress (yes, even for those who don’t fit the typical mold) while saving teachers from drowning in paperwork and one-size-fits-all accommodations.

In this workshop, Amy will show you how to streamline your approach, so you can tackle everything from supporting students with learning disabilities to helping gifted kids with specific challenges—without burning out. Get ready to feel empowered as a teacher and a professional!

This is a game-changer for general and special education teachers, school admins, and service providers. You’ll leave with tools to boost classroom effectiveness, simplify your teaching methods, and create a more inclusive, energized learning environment for everyone.

Other Workshops


The Arc of Anxiety: Managing Discomfort without Triggering Anxiety (Part 1)

  • Spotting Anxiety Before It Hits the Roof

  • Understanding How Anxiety Sneaks Up on Students (and YOU)

  • Identity and Anxiety: How Personal Struggles Show Up in the Classroom

  • Practical Ways to Manage Discomfort BEFORE It Becomes a Full-Blown Crisis


The Arc of Anxiety: Anxiety Definitions & Dissolutions (Part 2)

  • From Stress to Distress: Understanding the Anxiety Spectrum

  • Classroom Crisis Management: What to Do When Anxiety Takes Over

  • The Calm After the Storm: Behavioral Tools for De-escalating Anxiety

  • Building Resilience in the Classroom: How to Stay Cool, Even When Things Heat Up


Help for the Helpers: Understanding Self Concept to Ensure Self Care

  • Understanding Why You Matter: Prioritizing Your Own Well-Being

  • Take Care of You, So You Can Take Care of Others

  • Understanding the Roots of Self-Concept for Better Self-Care

  • How to Protect Your Own Energy While Helping Others


Did I check for DEI in the IEP?

  • Are You Really Meeting Every Student’s Needs?

  • Taking a Hard Look at Your IEP—Are Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Part of the Plan?

  • How to Ensure Your IEP Works for ALL Students, Not Just Some

  • Beyond the Basics: Integrating DEI into Your IEPs for Real Impact


Using a Small "c" to Make a Big Difference: Counseling Skills to Bridge the Support Gap Between Home and School

  • Boosting Your Cultural Competence for More Effective Support

  • Motivational Interviewing: The Skill You Didn’t Know Could Help Bridge Home and School

  • Grief and Loss Skills: Adapting Them for Educators and Parents

  • Teachers with counseling skills? Absolutely! How Small Skills Make a Big Impact

  • Strengthening Parent Relationships with Just a Few Simple Strategies


The Five P's of Classroom Management: How Policy, Procedure, Placement, Power, and Personalization Create Successful Mood-Tone

  • Get the Five P’s Working for You in Any Classroom

  • Why Policies and Procedures Are Your Secret Weapon for Classroom Harmony

  • Power Moves: How to Maximize Student Engagement Without Losing Control

  • Personalized Learning: It’s Not Just for Special Ed Anymore

  • Get Your Classroom Vibe Right: Mastering the Five P’s for Perfect Mood-Tone

  • "AMY IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATING OTHERS AND EMPOWERING THEM TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILD(REN). SHE IS AN EXCELLENT AND ENGAGING PRESENTER!"

    LINDSEY FRY, PEDIATRICS INTERACTIONS CONTINUING EDUCATION COORDINATOR | WORKSHOP: E/I ERECTOR SET: USING COUNSELING SKILLS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND SUSTAIN SELF

  • "I LEARNED ABOUT SENSORY OVERLOAD AND HOW TO MAKE THE CLASSROOM MORE CALMING."

    PARTICIPANT FROM CHRIST LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL | WORKSHOP: WHEN DID THIS BECOME THAT? HISTORY OF SEL + ADHD. BUILDING LONGEVITY: BE CALM

  • "COME BACK ANYTIME. WE LOVE WHEN YOU PRESENT!"

    PARTICIPANT FROM THERAPEUTIC LINKS | WORKSHOP: THE BIG 3: PROCESS, PROCEDURE, AND PERSONALIZATION HELPING TRANSITIONING CLIENTS CREATE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PLANS

  • "I ENJOYED THE GROUP PARTICIPATION AND GAINING MORE UNDERSTANDING OF DISABILITIES."

    PARTICIPANT FROM CHRIST LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL | WORKSHOP: WHEN DID THIS BECOME THAT? HISTORY OF SEL + ADHD. BUILDING LONGEVITY: BE CALM

  • "WAS ALL AMAZING, INFORMATIVE, ENGAGING. I ENJOYED THE COMIC RELIEF.:

    MORGAN, DISTRICT 46 | WORKSHOP: THE ARC OF ANXIETY

  • "AMY IS A VIBRANT, KNOWLEDGABLE SPEAKER WITH CRITICALLY VALUABLE INSIGHTS IN TODAY'S CULTURE. I LOVD THE WORKSHOP - COME BACK!"

    DISTRICT 46 TEACHER | WORKSHOP: THE ARC OF ANXIETY

  • "I LEARNED HOW TO IMPLEMENT A SET OF RULES TO FOLLOW WHEN PHYSICAL AND VERBAL ABUSE IS ACTED OUT TOWARD A TEACHER OR STUDENT. AND HOW TO ESTABLISH CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR."

    PARTICIPANT FROM CHRIST LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL | WORKSHOP: WHEN DID THIS BECOME THAT? HISTORY OF SEL + ADHD. BUILDING LONGEVITY: BE CALM

  • "ENJOYED AMY'S DYNAMIC, ENTHUSIASTIC, HUMOROUS WAY OF PRESENTING. THE SELF CARE REMINDERS ARE HELPFUL."

    PARTICIPANT FROM THERAPEUTIC LINKS | WORKSHOP: E/I ERECTOR SET: USING COUNSELING SKILLS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND SUSTAIN SELF

  • "VERY DOWN-TO-EARTH AND USEFUL INFO ABOUT IEPS."

    PARTICIPANT FROM THERAPEUTIC LINKS | WORKSHOP: THE BIG 3: PROCESS, PROCEDURE, AND PERSONALIZATION HELPING TRANSITIONING CLIENTS CREATE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PLANS

  • "I LEARNED HOW TO HELP MOMS TO LEAD AFTER EI ENDS - AND MAKE SURE FAMILIES AREN'T DROWNING IN TECHNICAL TERMS."

    PARTICIPANT FROM THERAPEUTIC LINKS | WORKSHOP: THE BIG 3: PROCESS, PROCEDURE, AND PERSONALIZATION HELPING TRANSITIONING CLIENTS CREATE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PLANS

  • "VERY ENERGETIC, FORTHRIGHT, AND ENGAGING. I WOULD APPRECIATE ONGOING WORKSHOPS TO CONTINUE A DIALOGUE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR."

    PARTICIPANT FROM CHRIST LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL | WORKSHOP: WHEN DID THIS BECOME THAT? HISTORY OF SEL + ADHD. BUILDING LONGEVITY: BE CALM

  • "GOOD INSIGHT INTO WHAT PARENTS ARE GOING THROUGH."

    PARTICIPANT FROM THERAPEUTIC LINKS | WORKSHOP: E/I ERECTOR SET: USING COUNSELING SKILLS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND SUSTAIN SELF

  • "I LEARNED THAT WE ARE FACILITATORS, NOT FIXERS. NO MATTER HOW HARD WE TRY TO HELP A DIFFICULT CHILD, IT'S MOST LIKELY NOT POSSIBLE AND NOT TO FEEL GUILTY, ESPECIALLY IF PARENTS ARE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE SITUATION."

    PARTICIPANT FROM CHRIST LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL | WORKSHOP: WHEN DID THIS BECOME THAT? HISTORY OF SEL + ADHD. BUILDING LONGEVITY: BE CALM

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Looking for an event that packs a punch? I’ve got you covered! Whether it’s a high-energy in-person or virtual workshop (ranging from 2 hours to a full day), a captivating keynote, an interactive breakout session, or a deep dive continuing education class—I tailor it all to hit the mark!

  • If you work with kids (especially those who don’t always fit the mold), I’m your speaker! I energize everyone from general education and special ed teachers to school admins, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and special needs groups or organizations. If you’re in education, we’re a match made in workshop heaven.

  • Absolutely! I’m all about making things fit just right. As a consultant, I’ll take the time to understand your audience and your goals, then create a custom workshop that’s tailored to your exact needs—using my expertise to make it relevant, impactful, and unforgettable.

Amy Slutzky, Special Education Advocate Consultant, Licensed Therapist, Mom with Special Needs Child

Ready To Shake Things Up?

Let’s bring the spark, creativity, and fresh ideas to your group or event. Whether in-person or virtual, I’ll make sure your audience leaves feeling inspired and equipped to make real change.