Dr. Ed O'Leary
Dr. Ed OLeary has spent over 35 years working in and with schools as a secondary special education teacher, special education consultant, transition specialist, work experience coordinator, program specialist, and program director. He has also taught at the graduate and undergraduate level and has worked in Vocational Rehabilitation. He has trained and presented nationally on the transition requirements under IDEA 97 and IDEA 2004 and has developed an approach in helping districts and states meet the transition requirements and demonstrate improvementand results. The Transition Outcome Projects has or is operating in 28 states/territories and over 2,000 districts. States/districts that have been implementing the Transition Outcomes Project (TOPs) have demonstrated, through trend data, improvements in meeting many of the transition requirements. He was co-author of: Transition Requirements A Guide for States, Districts, Schools, Universities and Families (2000).
CYNTHIA S. BUECHLER, ATTORNEY AT LAW
CYNTHIA S. BUECHLER is a partner with the Austin, Texas law firm of Buechler & Associates, P.C. Ms. Buechler served as a Hearings Examiner and Assistant General Counsel for the Texas Education Agency until 1987. Since leaving TEA, Ms. Buechler has practiced exclusively in the area of school law. She developed a specialty in the area of special education law and is board certified in administrative law. Ms. Buechler is a frequent speaker at in-service programs and law seminars and is also the director of the National Educators Law Institute.
Nancy Hunter
Nancy Hunter holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Texas-San Antonio, and has been a special educator for 28 years. In the public schools, she has been a LIFE Skills and Special Needs teacher, a district Transition Coordinator and a secondary special education Coordinator. For seven years, she was the Transition Specialist at ESC, Region 20.
She has served on a number of state-level task forces and development committees for Transition, post-school outcomes, developmental disabilities, and TAKS-Alt. She is a 24 year volunteer for Special Olympics Texas, has served on their Board of Directors, and is currently an Outreach Consultant to schools and ESCs, for that organization.
She “officially” retired in June, 2008, and is currently working across the state as a special education consultant in the areas of Transition, Work-based Learning, VAC, and LIFE Skills.
Jeanne Patrick
Jeanne Patrick is the Transition Specialist at ESC Region VI. She received her BS from Northwestern State University and her M Ed from Prairie View A&M University. She has served as ESC Liaison to the Texas Association of Vocational Adjustment Coordinators for ten years and is past president of the TX Division on Career Development and Transition. She coordinates the Texas Transition Conference with Cheryl Grenwelge from Texas A&M University. Jeanne has presented at numerous regional and state conferences and her passion is providing good transition services for students with disabilities that adequately prepare them for life after high school.
Aric Bostick
Aric Bostick is one of America’s top youth Success and Leadership speakers. As a former teacher and coach he has created a winning formula that teaches young people how to succeed in school and life. Aric has spoken for some of the largest leadership organizations in America, such as People to People Ambassador programs, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Peer Assisted Leadership organizations, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, MADD Power Camp and at state and regional Student Council Conferences across the country. He is also one of the most sought after school assembly speakers in America.