NSSEO District Coaches Tara Hanson and Sheena Gunia sit down to chat with Shannon Wess and Carly Franzgrote to talk about their upcoming sessions at the NSSEO Institute Day on January 5, 2026. Shannon will be presenting Beyond Compliance: Earning Instructional Control While Prioritizing Dignity and Respect - Easter Seals - AM Session 8:30-11:30. Carly's session titled Look Who's Talking! Increasing Communication Across Environments - Easter Seals - PM Session will be from 12:30-3:30 both at Harper College. NSSEO and member district staff can click on the links to register through Kickup. You won't want to miss these! Shannon Wess, MSW, BCBA, is a behavior analyst with a strong background in autism services, special education coaching, and staff development. She has led training and professional learning programs that energize and empower educators, and she created First Response, an autism awareness program for first responders. Shannon has presented at regional, national, and international conferences. She holds a master's in social work with a behavioral health focus and a post-master's certificate in applied behavior analysis. Carly Franzgrote, MS, CCC-SLP, is an Autism Specialist with the Illinois Autism Partnership. She began her career as a respite care provider, which sparked her passion for supporting individuals with autism and complex communication needs. As a speech-language pathologist in school settings, Carly developed deep expertise in AAC, functional communication, and coaching teams to carry over communication strategies. She holds a BA in elementary education with a special education endorsement and an MS in speech-language pathology from St. Ambrose University, along with her LBS1 and ASHA clinical certification. You can find more information about the important work that Shannon and Carly do at EasterSeals, along with helpful resources on their website. Also, follow them on Instagram @eastersealsiap.