Educators will share strategies for helping every child reach their full potential at ACSA’s 2027 Every Child Counts Symposium in Palm Desert. This annual event, ACSA’s biggest conference of the year, invites teachers, site leaders, counselors, psychologists, social workers, district leaders and more to deepen their impact in special education and student services.

Inspired by the location for this year’s event, the planning committee has selected the theme, “Desert Bloom: Leading Systems in Challenging Landscapes.”

“The desert is a symbol of resilience. It is an ecosystem that adapts under constraints and still thrives,” said Ginese Quann, assistant superintendent, Charter SELPA with El Dorado County Office of Education and chair for the symposium planning committee. “Our educational system is also juggling constraints and demands such as tight budgets, workforce shortages, and ever-shifting compliance requirements. The ‘Desert Bloom’ is a reminder that growth and beauty are still possible and tend to thrive in rough conditions.”

This year’s keynote speakers will deliver engaging and practical information to guide educators through any season.

Dr. Shelly Moore: On Monday, the educator, researcher and host of the “Five Moore Minutes” podcast will bring her trademark wit and inspiring message to this year’s conference. “Shelley has a rare gift in that she can talk about serious, often under-addressed equity issues in inclusive education and still make a room laugh at the same time,” Quann said.

Terrence Davis: On Tuesday, the superintendent of Banning USD will share how leadership that focuses on clear expectations, strong relationships and measurable progress can transform school culture. “His emphasis on building effective systems that support educators fits right into our ‘Leading Systems in Challenging Landscapes’ theme,” Quann said.

Jan Thomski & Jonathan Read: These two partners at F3 Law will close out the conference on Wednesday by addressing the day-to-day realities of the work. “It’s one thing to talk about best practices; it’s another to have experts in the room who can speak directly to how those practices hold up when tested,” Quann said. “Jan and Jonathan are also very engaging and there will be no shortage of laughs throughout their presentation.”

This conference is planned each year by members of ACSA’s Council of Student Services and Special Education Leaders, who choose speakers and sessions based on attendees’ needs and what special educators and student service professionals are experiencing in the field.

This year, the planning committee has focused on the following topic strands shaping the profession:

To get the most out of their conference experience, Quann suggests that attendees get specific about what would help them in their role.

“Come with a real challenge you’re facing and seek breakout sessions that can support you,” she said. “Pick one idea or best practice you learned to try within 30 days of getting home.”

The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa makes for a beautiful and relaxing backdrop for educators to network, connect and have fun. Don’t miss planned activities such as morning yoga, breakfast talks with law firms, and an ice cream social.

A room block has been reserved for conference attendees at a special rate of $289 per night. To receive this discounted rate, reservations must be made by Dec.19, 2026 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Whether educators are new to the field of student services or special education, or a veteran with lots of experience facing a changing landscape, the Every Child Counts Symposium is an essential learning experience.

“It’s one of the best conferences that you can bring staff to,” said Laura Fisher, assistant superintendent, Desert Sands USD, who attended last year’s event and has been coming to the event for more than two decades. “Even though I’ve been doing it a long time, you continue to learn new things.”

Barby Castro, executive consultant with South County SELPA, was a presenter at last year’s conference.

“[Special education] has always been my passion. It’s a conference that is really tied to the special education work, and we don’t get a lot of those conferences,” she said. “This really helps us to fill our cups and bring back that excitement.”