Session 1: Understanding Neurodiversity–Identification, Referrals, & Assessment
Presenter: Dr. Kirstina Ordetx, founder of Pinnacle Academy

Description: This foundational session will provide educators and school leaders with essential knowledge to better understand and support neurodiverse learners. Participants will gain clarity on how to interpret neuropsychological and educational reports, explore the various types of assessments commonly used, and key tools in accommodating student needs.

We will address such questions as: 

• What symptoms or behaviors may indicate a need for diagnostic testing?
• When and how should a school refer a student for evaluation?
• What is the school’s role—and limitation—in recognizing versus diagnosing?

This session will also explore the importance of data collection, internal school policies for referrals, and the collaborative team approach required for effective support. A brief overview of common diagnoses will be included, helping participants build shared language and understanding across roles. Whether you are new to these processes or looking to strengthen your school’s referral framework, this session will help you move from uncertainty to confidence in supporting all learners.

Session 2: Supporting Neurodiverse Students in the Classroom–Accommodations & Progress Monitoring 
Presenter: Dr. Kirstina Ordetx, founder of Pinnacle Academy

Description: Building on the foundational knowledge from the first session, this session will focus on translating assessment data into actionable strategies for classroom instruction and student support. Participants will explore how to use data effectively to guide decision-making, tailor instruction, and support the individual needs of neurodiverse learners.

This session will cover: 

• Understanding the role of classroom-based and formal assessments
• Implementing MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) as a framework for intervention
• Designing and applying strategies to address diverse learning profiles
• Using progress monitoring tools to track growth and adjust instruction

Educators will leave with a deeper understanding of how to bridge the gap between assessment and instructional practice, along with practical strategies to implement immediately in their classrooms.

Session 3: Tools, Tech, and Teaching–Resources to Support Neurodiverse Students
Presenters: Tanya Lynch and Brandon Boston, The Boston Group

Description: This session will equip educators with tangible tools and strategies to create more accessible and inclusive learning environments for all students. Participants will learn to distinguish between differentiation and accessibility, and how each plays a critical role in meeting the needs of neurodiverse learners.

• Practical, high-impact resources to support students with challenges in reading, writing, listening, attention, and executive functioning
• How to select and apply tools that promote accessibility without compromising rigor.
• Uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in education—and how AI can be leveraged to foster equity, engagement, and individualized support

Educators will leave with a toolkit of strategies, tech-based resources, and a forward-thinking mindset for supporting neurodiverse students in modern classrooms.

Session 4: Strengthening Executive Function in the Classroom
Presenters: Peggy Campbell Rush, Tanya Lynch and Brandon Boston, The Boston Group

Description: In this closing session of this series, we turn our focus to executive functioning—an essential area that significantly impacts student learning, behavior, and independence. Participants will explore practical strategies to strengthen executive function skills in the classroom, including organization, time management, task initiation, and self-monitoring.

This session will address: 

• How to embed executive functioning support into daily instruction
• Simple routines, tools, and scaffolds that benefit all learners
• Responsive approaches for students who struggle with planning, focus, and follow-through

The session will conclude with a submitted Q&A segment, providing space to reflect on key learnings, revisit complex topics from the series, and share ideas across roles and school settings. This collaborative wrap-up ensures participants leave with clarity, confidence, and actionable next steps.

Dr. Kirstina Ordetx holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology and recently retired from a 20-year tenure as Head of School at the Pinnacle Academy in Lakewood Ranch, Florida to relocate to North Carolina.  She is an educational and literacy specialist with over 30 years of clinical experience, research, and consultation with schools in the public and private sectors.  She is a Certified Dyslexia Interventionist with the International Dyslexia Association, Wilson Certified Dyslexia Practitioner, and a Master Trainer for the Institute for Multisensory Education.  She is a published author and university adjunct professor, presenting at various national and international conferences on topics related to executive functioning, literacy, and issues related to neurodiversity.  Currently, she works in an advisory role at a local charter school and provides consultation to private and public schools.

Brandon Boston currently serves as the Director of Eagles Landing International, a summer camp that brings together students ages 7–18 from around the world for academic enrichment in language and global leadership, paired with a classic U.S. summer camp experience. He is also the founder of The Boston Group, an educational consulting firm that partners with schools and families to support student growth through faculty workshops, family guidance, and strategic consulting in both K–12 and higher education spaces.

Prior to his work in camp leadership, Brandon was the Director of Lighthouse Point Academy at North Broward Preparatory School, a program designed to support students who learn differently. His background in special education, accessibility, and technology integration, and his ongoing work supporting neurodiverse learners, shapes the way he helps educators create inclusive, student-centered classrooms. Brandon is known for his practical, engaging approach and brings warmth, clarity, and insight to every workshop he leads.

Tanya Lynch is the high school principal at North Broward Preparatory School in South Florida and the co-founder of The Boston Group, where she leads professional development for educators and partners with schools to support instructional growth and accessibility. With 22 years of experience as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and consultant, Tanya specializes in creating inclusive, student-centered learning environments that emphasize high-quality instruction. Her areas of expertise include Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Standards Based Learning, and cultivating school-wide cultures that support critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Tanya is known for her clear, thoughtful approach and her ability to help educators turn research-based strategies into real-world practice.

Peggy Campbell Rush currently serves as a US Government Fulbright Education Specialist and has helped over 150 countries with educational best practices. She is a nationally and internationally recognized education expert who has presented her keynotes and workshops at schools and conferences around the world. Peggy is doing educational consulting in the US and abroad with administrator coaching, mentoring, and instructional support and mentoring for teachers.

Peggy retired as the Head of the Lower School at the Bolles School, Jacksonville, Florida in 2021. She has been in education for 47 years and has been an administrator and teacher in both the United States and England. Peggy has sailed around the world twice studying global education on the Semester at Sea Program. Peggy has been honored as a Fulbright Specialist, Fulbright Fellow and two-time National Teachers Hall of Fame finalist, USA Today All-American Teacher Team award, two-time New Jersey Teacher of the Year finalist, and named Walmart Teacher of Year.  Peggy’s current international travel and professional development include Singapore, Indonesia, Costa Rica and Ecuador. And lastly, in addition to many education articles in periodicals, Peggy is the author of seven books and working on her eighth.