Keynote Speakers

Julie Weatherly, Esq.

Julie J. Weatherly, Esq. is the owner of Resolutions in Special Education, Inc., a special education law and consulting firm in Alabama. Julie is a member of the State Bars of Alabama and Georgia and for over thirty-six years has provided consultation and legal presentations to school agencies across the country in the area of educating students with disabilities. Julie has developed a number of training programs (in-person and virtual) that support special education legal compliance and has been published nationally for her trainings, workshops, and seminars. In June of 1996, Julie appeared on the CBS news program “60 Minutes” to discuss the cost of meeting the legal requirements of IDEA. In 1998, she was honored by Georgia’s CEC as the Individual who had Contributed Most to Students with Disabilities, and in April 2012, Julie received the Award for Outstanding Service from the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE).

Dr. Eric Hartwig

Dr. Eric Hartwig is a distinguished education leader with over 44 years of service, specializing in behavioral, emotional, and social development in schools. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds advanced degrees in Psychology and School Psychology.

Key achievements include creating b.e.s.t.®, a universal screening tool for behavioral needs, and co-authoring influential works like Disciplining Students with Disabilities: A Balanced Approach. A former Administrator of Pupil Services for Marathon County, Dr. Hartwig is also an award-winning educator, adjunct professor, and sought-after speaker, recognized for his expertise in special education law, discipline, and leadership training.

Kendra Yoch

Kendra, a former special educator, brings a practical, student-centered approach to representing schools. She previously served as Assistant AG for the District of Columbia Public Schools and currently supports public, charter, and private schools, focusing on special education, Section 504, Title IX, and other civil rights. She serves as lead counsel in mediations, due process hearings, state complaints, and OCR complaints. A Paralympic silver medalist, Kendra also provides training and serves as an independent investigator, decisionmaker, and advisor for K12 and higher education institutions.

Ian Lovett

Ian is driven by a passion for education and service, and technology to empower human excellence, not replace it. Raised by educators, and a former Spanish Teacher, he was influenced by the belief that, "to whom much is given, much is required." After a career in the asset management industry, he co founded Playground IEP to support Sean's mission to empower educators and streamline special education services.

Sean Klamm

Sean is an experienced special ed teacher and director, which led him to create Playground IEP & IEP Copilot- a suite of free AI writing tools to enable special educators to be more effective and efficient. Sean combines a passion for special education, technology, AI and design to improve outcomes for special education students and staff. He speaks nationally on AI for Special Education, including National CASE, and as a keynote speaker on AI at the Academy of Law & Leadership.