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GiGi's Educator Symposium

Teaching Strategies for Individuals with Down Syndrome

 

Saturday, March 7, 2026
8-12:45 PT / 9-1:45 MT / 10-2:45 CT / 11-3:45 ET
Virtual Presentation

Educate. Inspire. Believe. 

GiGi’s Playhouse is the ONLY international network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers created to provide FREE, life-changing therapeutic and educational programs for all ages of development and for the unique needs of individuals with Down syndrome.   

Join a team of experienced educators and therapists from across the GiGi’s Playhouse Network to learn how to teach individuals with Down syndrome the way they learn best. Since 2003, we have been working nonstop to empower individuals with Down syndrome to reach their full potential and move toward independence.  

We encourage the families we serve to invite their teachers, paraprofessionals, and therapists.   

Saturday, March 7, 2026
8-12:45PT / 9-1:45MT / 10-2:45CT / 11-3:45ET
Virtual Presentation

Register Today!

What you can expect: 

  • Introduction and Welcome from our Chief Belief Officer, Nancy Gianni and “The” GiGi herself! 
  • Down Syndrome 101  
  • How I Learn 
  • Strategies for Teaching Math and Literacy 
  • Supporting Speech and Motor skills for students with Down syndrome in the Classroom 
  • Promoting Positive Behavior 

Presenters: 

  • Nancy Gianni, Chief Belief Officer, GiGi’s Playhouse National Office
  • GiGi Gianni, “THE” GiGi, GiGi’s Playhouse National Office
  • Shari Andress, M. Ed., GiGi’s Playhouse National Office
  • Kristin Housel, M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC, GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester
  • Cindy Marie Judy, MS Ed., GiGi's Virtual Playhouse
  • Dr. Sarah Mann, PT, DPT, MBA, NSCA-CPT
  • Vicky McKinney, MS Ed., BCBA, GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville
  • Katherine (O'Neill) King, MS, OTD, OTR/L, GiGi's Playhouse Hillsborough
  • Dr. Jennifer Spiric, PT, DPT
  • Kathleen Tynes, GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit

Watch virtually or join a watch party at a participating GiGi's Playhouse!

Some of our Playhouses are offering an in-person Watch Party! If you would like to attend one of those, please choose the location on the registration form.

  • Canton - 4061 Bradley Circle NW  Canton, OH 44718
  • Hoffman Estates - 2350 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
  • Houston - 1704 Seamist Dr., Suite #400 (Building #4), Houston, TX 77008
  • Lancaster - 2501 Oregon Pike, Suite 101, Lancaster, PA 17601
  • Little Rock - 301 N Shackleford Suite D2, Little Rock, AR 72211
  • Nashville - 1724 Carothers Parkway Ste 400  Brentwood, TN 37027
  • Portland - 8538 SW Apple Way  Portland, OR 97225
  • Quad Cities - 3906 38th Ave., Moline, IL 61265
  • Tampa - 3611 W Hillsborough Ave, #200, Tampa, Florida, 33614
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Continuing Professional Education credits generously offered by our education partners:

MDSDE Logo

Maryland Educators are eligible for Professional Development Points (PDPs). Click HERE for more information.

Print this flyer to share with your peers

If you have questions, please contact us via email at programs2@gigisplayhouse.org. 

Cathy C.

Portland, OR

This was such a fun presentation! The materials were current and so positive about inclusion. 

Heidi H

Atlanta, GA

This was such a valuable symposium. I shared my notes with our whole special education team and turnkeyed it at our special education team meeting this past Monday. 

Shannon C.

Knoxville TN

I learned so much that I can use in my classroom! I am very glad that I attended!! 

Danette C

Ogden UT

I just began teaching a student with Down Syndrome and am feeling a little clueless. This training was both comprehensive and specific in the information you shared... Within the first hour, I had a page of notes of things to think about and try. So good! 

Khadija

Pakistan

The symposium was an imperative experience for my team and me. We have already started applying a few of the strategies we learned in the symposium in our classes. 

Register Today!