We are excited to announce that the 2024 LEA Academy will be held on October 24th and 25th at the Hot Springs Convention Center. This year’s Academy will feature a variety of sessions designed to assist educators as they lead their districts toward Mapping the Journey to Improved Outcomes. We are also thrilled to introduce our two keynote speakers for this year’s Academy.

Keynote Speakers

Jessica Saum As the 2022 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Jessica Saum used her platform to focus on supporting educators in ensuring meaningful inclusive practices for students who receive special education services. Previously working as a self-contained special education teacher, she currently serves as the Collaboration and Inclusion Coordinator for the Cabot Public School District, supporting educators and working as an agent of change with a relentless commitment to inclusive education. Jessica’s inclusion journey has been a transformative experience from cultivating a culture of inclusion as a classroom teacher, to becoming a champion for changing mindsets about the way students are served. She is committed to improving student outcomes and ensuring meaningful access and participation for all students in all spaces. 

 José Martin Mr. José Martín is a partner at the school law firm of Richards Lindsay & Martín, L.L.P. in Austin, Texas, specializing in disabilities issues and litigation affecting schools, including special education under IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the ADA. He represents numerous public school districts in Texas, helping them navigate compliance with state and federal disabilities law. A graduate of the University of Texas in Journalism and the University of Texas School of Law, José frequently publishes on legal issues concerning public schools and their disabled populations. He served as Chief Editor and Writer for the RLM Texas Disability Law Advisor and is currently a Contributing Editor to LRP’s The Special Educator. José is known for his preventive legal practices and delivers presentations at national and regional conferences, local in-services, and workshops on disabilities law, receiving consistently positive evaluations for his knowledge, experience, accessibility, and humor.

We welcome all Superintendents, Principals, Special Education Supervisors, Early Childhood Coordinators, and other leaders in education to join us for the 2024 LEA Academy. This event promises to be both inspiring and informative, offering an opportunity to learn from leading experts and collaborate with fellow educators to enhance your district’s educational practices.  We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 LEA Academy!