Skip to Content

2026 Hot Legal Topics for Teachers

September 22, 2026
Banner image for 2026 Hot Legal Topics for Teachers

Based on Arizona teacher survey data, AZCEC is offering an affordable 4 part legal series for teachers this school year. The legal series will cover case law, hot topics, guidance from OSEP, and best practices. All learning will be provided by the Law Office of Lorie A Gerkey, PLLC. dba EX-SELS

Lorie A. Gerkey, has over thirty years of experience in the field of special education beginning as a teacher for students with disabilities, then a district-level student services administrator for small, medium, and large school districts in Arizona.   As an attorney, Lorie focuses on supporting school districts and charter schools in the areas of special education and disability law. At the end of each session, Lorie will provide relevant legal cases and information to the session topic as well as updates on any litigation that may affect Arizona.

9/22/26 Session 1: Crafting Post Secondary Transition Plans – Legal Requirements & Legal Updates

10/20/26 Session 2: 5 Step Process for Crafting Accommodations & Legal Updates

11/17/26 Session 3: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About PWN but Were Afraid or Didn’t Know to Ask & Legal Updates

12/15/26 Session 4: Manifestation Determination:  Behavior – How it Connects to the Disability & Legal Updates


Tucson Values Teachers is providing limited scholarships for educators to attend PD opportunities, if you are interested, click here for more information


  • For questions regarding this resource, please contact Arizona Council for Exceptional Children (AZCEC).
  • Contact Name: Arizona Council for Exceptional Children
  • Phone No: 5204811749
  • Email Address: jay@localfirstaz.com