Audience

All Educators

Presenter Name(s)

Kelly Mertens, M.Ed., CAGS

Presenter Bio(s)

Kelly Mertens, M.Ed., CAGS,  has worked in special education for the past eighteen years.  She is currently a Supervisor of Special Education for Stoneham Public Schools. Previous to this position, she was a Special Education Administrator for Lexington Public Schools.  Kelly is also an adjunct faculty member at Boston University (where she focuses on student teacher programs that include teachers at the Landmark School in Beverly), Salem State University and a consultant for EDCO Collaborative. She has provided extensive PD for districts across the state. Kelly was a special education teacher at both the middle and high school level.  

Kelly earned her Bachelor’s degree from Union College,  a Master’s degree in Special Education from Salem State University and a C.A.G.S. in School Leadership and Administration from American International College.

Kelly is an approved independent PDP provider through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Massachusetts and holds the following licenses:

• Superintendent
• Administrator of Special Education, All Levels
• Principal/Assistant Principal, levels PK-6, 5-8, 9-12
• Teacher of Moderate Disabilities, levels PK-5, 5-8, 9-12
• SEI Endorsed

Description

This course satisfies 15 Professional Development Points (PDPs) toward educator recertification in Massachusetts.

This six-session asynchronous series equips educators with practical strategies to create inclusive classrooms by leveraging co-teaching models and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Participants will explore foundational concepts of inclusion, collaborative planning and instruction, flexible lesson design, and the application of accommodations and modifications to support diverse learners. Each session includes reflection, case studies, and opportunities to apply learning directly to practice.

Session Topics:

• Module 1: Foundations of Inclusive Practice
• Module 2: Co-Teaching Fundamentals
• Module 3: Co-Teaching in Action
• Module 4: Universal Design for Learning
• Module 5: Lesson Redesign and Collaboration
• Module 6: Case Study, Problem Solving & Reflection

Synchronous / Asynchronous

Asynchronous

Location

Online

Dates & Times

10/27 – 12/8/25

PDPs

15 PDPs

Credit

Pending approval, participants may choose to apply for one graduate credit for an additional fee of $125 payable to Worcester State University

Cost

$295 ACCEPT members/$355 non-members

Team Rates Available

Registration Deadline

October 14, 2025