Passport to the Future Conference 2021
Helping students transition well to adulthood is a primary purpose of special education. Passport to the Future provides educators, community rehabilitation providers, VR staff, family members, and others an opportunity to learn about best practices in preparing students for life after high school.
The 2021 Passport to the Future conference was held virtually on January 25. It was the pre-conference day for the Partners in Education (PIE) statewide special education conference. Over 800 people registered to attend 25 sessions and hear from over 72 presenters.
Our keynote panel of family members from the 2020 Passport to the Future conference returned to discuss their perspectives on how educators can partner with and empower families during a time when many are working and learning remotely. Watch the full keynote panel from the 2021 conference now!
View highlighted sessions from the conference below
Past Conferences
2020
Our Passport to the Future conference was held on January 27th, 2020 in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Education’s Partners in Education (PIE) statewide special education conference at Music City Center in Nashville. Passport to the Future will equip educators, school administrators, VR professionals, providers, family members, and others with the tools and strategies to prepare young people with disabilities for life after high school. Click here to download the program!
2019
Our 2019 keynote speaker, LeDerick Horne, inspired attendees with his keynote address. Diagnosed with a learning disability in the third grade, LeDerick Horne defies any and all labels. He’s a dynamic spoken-word poet. A tireless advocate for all people with disabilities. An inspiring motivational speaker. A bridge-builder between learners and leaders across the U.S. and around the world. We had an opportunity to capture some of his spoken-word poetry: “Dare to Dream”
Think Employment! Knoxville Summit
Our regional summit in Knoxville brought together individuals with disabilities, family members, educators, providers, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and employers with the goal of sharing best practices and building community partnerships to improve employment outcomes for Tennesseans with disabilities. Download the program here. It was a partnership with UT CLEE, the Knoxville Area Employment Consortium, UTHSC Center for Developmental Disabilities, Vanderbilt University, and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. We are currently exploring the possibilities of future regional summits. Check back for updates!