September 2026
SERC Scoop Newsletter

Director’s Letter

We are more than a month into the school year, and in the world of special education, I don’t need to tell you things are already moving at a fast pace!

The hectic nature at the start of the year can feel like pure chaos – schedules are full and everchanging, individualized education program (IEP) meetings are underway, concerns are surfacing, and small issues can become disagreements. We are already seeing an increase in disputes and heightened emotions between families and schools.

One thing I continue to notice is how easily people tend to view one another as the problem, rather than viewing them as partners and allies. Parents can feel like they have to circle the wagons around their child. Educators and administrators can feel like they have to protect their school, their staff, or their decisions. Once both parties view each other as the problem, it can become very difficult to really hear one another. People start preparing their defense instead of listening to what the other person is saying. We assume intentions, become guarded, and before long, a conversation started with a concern has turned into an “us versus them” situation. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do in those moments is pause and ask questions for better understanding. A question can open a door when an assumption quickly closes.

Before we talk about communication and collaboration, we must first address taking care of ourselves. I don’t mean getting a massage, taking a vacation, or drinking enough water, although those things are enjoyable and have their place! I mean taking care of ourselves in a way allows us to show up for the people around us. When we are stressed, overwhelmed, frustrated, or feeling attacked, our ability to listen and problem-solve is hindered. We can become defensive, assume the worst about others’ intentions, or be unable to hear what someone is trying to communicate because we are instead preparing our response. We have all been there!

Parents are carrying the enormous responsibility of advocating for their children. Educators are balancing the needs of students with increasingly complex demands. Administrators are trying to support their staff, students, and families. Everyone is carrying something. When things feel heavy, a difficult conversation can feel like one more thing to defend against rather than an opportunity to come together.

Self-care may mean knowing when you need to pause. It can be taking a walk, stepping away from your computer, calling a trusted person, getting some sleep, or simply giving yourself time to process before responding to a heightened email. It can be beneficial to recognize you may be too frustrated to have a productive conversation now and communicate that to the other person. It is okay to take a break or to return to a difficult conversation more than once, as not everything can be solved in one interaction. Sometimes self-care also means asking for help; don’t let your pride get in the way of progress!

We cannot effectively take care of others when we are depleted ourselves. It is easier to slow down and truly listen if we can recognize that the parent sitting across the table may be worried, exhausted, or scared for their child, and the educator sitting across the table may also be stressed, overwhelmed, and trying to navigate a difficult situation. This doesn’t mean concerns aren’t legitimate. It doesn’t mean difficult conversations shouldn’t happen. It certainly doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t advocate or schools shouldn’t be held accountable. It simply means how we enter those conversations makes a difference.

At SERC, our mission is to help schools and families resolve disputes at the earliest stage possible. We believe resolving disputes happens best when people have the opportunity to slow down, communicate, understand different perspectives, and work toward solutions with the student at the center. The school year is long, and there will be hard meetings, difficult emails, misunderstandings, disagreements, and days when everyone is drained. When those moments come, prioritize understanding and working together, even when we disagree. We will continue to support Oklahoma families and schools through those difficult moments – not by taking sides, but by creating space for communication, understanding, and a path forward together.

Take care of yourselves out there.

Dr. Allison Conch
SERC Assistant Director

SERC Training Opportunities

Facilitation Training

SERC offers Facilitation Training as a one-day training to school district personnel, including administrators and special education directors/staff. The training provides an overview of facilitation, including facilitator qualities and skills, key functions of a facilitator, the facilitator’s role before, during, and after a meeting, along with a toolbox of practical facilitator strategies and techniques to use during a meeting. This training provides helpful resources to those who want to sharpen their skills and tools for facilitating meetings, including difficult meetings! It will also benefit districts wanting to develop in-house facilitators for individualized education program (IEP) meetings.

The training is offered in-person with regional classes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The course is held from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This training is available at no cost to those attending through our partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Choose from the training dates below and register online for the training that fits your schedule. For more information, contact SERC’s Program Coordinator, Rob Keiter, at rob.keiter@okstate.edu.

Facilitation Training Agenda (PDF)

Upcoming Fall Semester Facilitation Training Dates (One-Day Training)

Tulsa Regional – Monday, October 5, 2026
SERC Office Training Room, Tulsa, OK (see registration form for details)
Register for the October Facilitation Training class

OKC Regional – Monday, November 9, 2026
Mid-Del Special Services Building, Del City, OK (see registration form for details)
Register for the November Facilitation Training class

Tulsa Regional – Monday, December 7, 2026
SERC Office Training Room, Tulsa, OK (see registration form for details)
Register for the December Facilitation Training class

Please note for all Facilitation trainings – If, by three business days before the session, the class does not have at least 10 registrants, the class will be cancelled, and registrants will be notified and allowed to register for another date. Reimbursement for associated travel and sub coverage costs for these trainings is available through OSDE Project 613 funds.

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is a nationally recognized training designed to help people have difficult conversations they are afraid to have or equip people with the tools necessary to have effective conversations. The focus of the training is not just about communication; it’s about helping people get the results they want and need.

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is available to participants for free through our partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). To register for a Crucial Conversations class, register online via SERC’s Stakeholder Training webpage or choose from the training dates below. For more information, please contact Rob Keiter, SERC’s Program Coordinator, at rob.keiter@okstate.edu.

Crucial Conversations In-Person Training Agenda (PDF)

Upcoming Fall Semester Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue Training Dates (Two-Day Training)

OKC Regional – Tuesday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 11
Mid-Del Special Services Building, Del City, OK (see registration form for details)
Register for the November Crucial Conversations class

Tulsa Regional – Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9
SERC Office Training Room, Tulsa, OK (see registration form for details)
Register for the December Crucial Conversations class

Please note for all Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue trainings – If, by three business days before the session, the class does not have at least 10 registrants, the class will be cancelled, and registrants will be notified and allowed to register for another date. Reimbursement for associated travel and sub coverage costs for these trainings is available through OSDE Project 613 funds.

Wisdom Wednesday Webinars

Working together and through conflict to support students with disabilities can be challenging for parents and schools. Learn helpful information, tips, and techniques from the experts you can use to help navigate difficult situations. Join SERC for a free 1.5-hour webinar series every month from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Central Standard Time (CST). Register today on the SERC’s  Wisdom Wednesday Monthly Webinars webpage.

Fall Semester Wisdom Wednesday Webinars

Dyslexia: What It Is and What It Isn’t

October 28, 2026 – with Michele Keiper, Founder of Decoding Dyslexia Oklahoma
This webinar will clear up confusion and separate the myths from the facts concerning schools’ obligations to students with dyslexia. Join Michelle Keiper, founder of Decoding Dyslexia Oklahoma to learn more from her expertise as we celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Month!
Register for the October 2026 Wisdom Wednesday Webinar

Don’t Start with Placement – What is the Right Way to Build an IEP

November 18, 2026 – with SERC leadership
How can we build a well-aligned individualized education program (IEP), and where do teams often go off track? In this one-hour presentation, we’ll walk through how strong IEPs are built step-by-step, connecting assessment data to educational needs, present levels, goals, and services. Participants will leave with a clear, practical framework to ensure every part of the IEP works together to support meaningful student progress.
Register for the November 2026 Wisdom Wednesday Webinar

Future Spring 2027 Wisdom Wednesday Webinar Topics

• January 20, 2027 – Behavior, Discipline, Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) 
• March 10, 2027 – Related Services – Clinical Model vs. Educational Model 
• May 12, 2027 – Reengaging Trust Between Families and Schools

Archived Wisdom Wednesday Webinars

SERC has recorded and archived all Wisdom Wednesday Webinars from 2021 to the present. New webinars are added regularly as they are hosted, creating a rich library of insights from experts and leaders across the state and nation in the field of special education. This free resource is invaluable for both parents and educators. Explore the Wisdom Wednesday Webinar archives for various topics of interest or to learn more about SERC’s services.

Additional Resources and Guidance

Special Education Acronyms Series on SERC Social Media

Each Wednesday, SERC publishes a new post highlighting 10 of the most common special education acronyms used in individualized education program (IEP) meetings.

Language plays an important role in helping people communicate and work together effectively. School teams use special education acronyms every day, so these terms become second nature. For many parents, however, these acronyms may be unfamiliar, making it more difficult to follow the conversation and participate fully in the meeting.

Each week we’ll highlight one acronym, explaining what it means, how it’s commonly used, and why it’s important when discussing the unique educational supports and services a student may need.

Our goal is simple – to help everyone at the table share a common understanding so conversations can be more collaborative, meaningful, and productive.

New Resource – Dispute Resolution Summary Overview

If you have questions about the dispute resolution options available in the state of Oklahoma, take a look at the English and Spanish versions of SERC’s Dispute Resolution Summary Chart  breaks down each service and how it can be beneficial to you.

Our hope is this resource encourages individuals to pause, review the available pathways, and make informed decisions based on their specific needs and goals. An informed decision is often a more effective decision. Understanding the purpose, expectations, and possible outcomes of a process can help everyone move forward with greater confidence and fewer surprises.

Follow SERC on Socials

Special Education Resolution Center
5314 S. Yale Ave.
Suite #206
Tulsa, OK 74135
okserc@okstate.edu • okserc.org

If you haven’t followed us on Instagram and Facebook, you’re missing out! Do you want to stay up to date on the most recent goings-on at the organization, including interviews with our service providers and a glimpse into the day-to-day lives at SERC? Do you want tips and tricks on bridging communication gaps and education for families and parents on dispute resolution? Surely you would benefit from updates on other special education news and happenings in the community that might affect YOU!

Give us a follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Contact SERC

For more information about any of the content in this newsletter, please reach out to SERC Assistant Director, Dr. Allison Fennell-Conch.

Phone: 918-270-1849 or 888-267-0028 (toll-free)
Email: allison.conch@okstate.edu