2026 Hot Legal Topics for Teachers

Hot Topics:  Legal Series for Teachers:  

Crafting Success for Every Student: Practical Applications of IEP Essentials.

One fee for FOUR sessions!

1.25 hrs Professional Development for a total of 5 hrs for the entire series.

Based on Arizona teacher survey data, AZCEC is offering an affordable 4 part legal series for teachers this school year. The legal series will cover case law, hot topics, guidance from OSEP, and best practices. All learning will be provided by the Law Office of Lorie A Gerkey, PLLC. dba EX-SELS

Lorie A. Gerkey, has over thirty years of experience in the field of special education beginning as a teacher for students with disabilities, then a district-level student services administrator for small, medium, and large school districts in Arizona.   As an attorney, Lorie focuses on supporting school districts and charter schools in the areas of special education and disability law. At the end of each session, Lorie will provide relevant legal cases and information to the session topic as well as updates on any litigation that may affect Arizona.

Dates: Tuesdays 9/22/26, 10/20/26, 11/17/26, 12/15/26

Time: 4:30pm -- 5:45 pm: 60 minutes of training, 15 minutes for Q & A

Where: In the convenience of your classroom, office, or home

Cost: $40 Total for all 4 sessions!

**All sessions will be recorded, no matter when you sign up or which sessions you can attend, you will have access to all 4 recorded sessions.

9/22/26 Session 1: Crafting Post Secondary Transition Plans – Legal Requirements & Legal Updates

10/20/26 Session 2: 5 Step Process for Crafting Accommodations & Legal Updates

11/17/26 Session 3: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About PWN but Were Afraid or Didn’t Know to Ask & Legal Updates

12/15/26 Session 4: Manifestation Determination:  Behavior – How it Connects to the Disability & Legal Updates