Gentle Teaching International Conference 2026
Join us for two days of presentations and discussions all about Gentle Teaching and the power of connection.
When?
November 16th and 17th from 11:00am - 3:00pm EST.
Where?
This year, the conference will be held entirely virtual via Zoom. Once registered, you will receive the Zoom link that will go live the day of the event.
Who?
Anyone. Everyone. If you value connection and strengthening relationships, we're your people.
|
|
Schedule of events
Monday, November 16th
11:00am - 11:30am : Opening Remarks from hosts Easterseals MORC and Community Living Services
11:30am - 12:30pm : Simone Schipper-Eindhoven (Europe)
12:45pm - 1:45pm : Dave Lappin (Canada)
2:00pm - 3:00pm : Dr. Karyn Harvey (USA)
11:30am - 12:30pm : Simone Schipper-Eindhoven (Europe)
12:45pm - 1:45pm : Dave Lappin (Canada)
2:00pm - 3:00pm : Dr. Karyn Harvey (USA)
Tuesday, November 17th
11:00am - 11:30am : Opening remarks from GTI 2027’s hosts, Poland!
11:30am - 12:30pm : Monika Niewiarowska-Zych and Aleksandra Motylewska (Europe)
12:45pm - 1:45pm : Shannon Wiebe & Magan Himmelspach (Canada)
2:00pm - 3:00pm : Jennifer Haak (USA)
Stay tuned for presentation topics and details!
11:30am - 12:30pm : Monika Niewiarowska-Zych and Aleksandra Motylewska (Europe)
12:45pm - 1:45pm : Shannon Wiebe & Magan Himmelspach (Canada)
2:00pm - 3:00pm : Jennifer Haak (USA)
Stay tuned for presentation topics and details!
About the conference speakers
Dr. Simone Schipper-Eindhoven
In her work at Prinsenstichting; an organization that provides care, support and treatment for people with an intellectual disability. Simone's main focus is building relationships especially with those that have the most difficulty experiencing companionship. She strives to create an environment of unconditional love, acceptance, and mutual respect and believe that this approach not only benefits the individuals we care for but also creates a positive impact on society as a whole. Simone has a master's in orthopedagogy and did a post-master's in health care psychology. In 2004 she received GT advanced mentor training from John McGee, one of the founders of Gentle Teaching, and Michael Vincent. Since 2004 she's been responsible for implementing GT in different organisations serving people with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric disorders. Simone has served as a member of the GTI board and am now one of key people for the GT Europe network. In 2015 she started her training as EMDR Europe practitioner and since then has been combining these therapeutic skills with the Gentle teaching framework. In 2020 Simone started as a PH. D candidate on Gentle Teaching in support and treatment for people with intellectual disabilities.
Dave Lappin
Dave Lappin is the Executive Director of the H.O.M.E. Society in Abbotsford BC and has been supporting Adults with Developmental Disabilities for over 38 years. Dave started his career with the Burnaby Association for the Mentally Handicapped (Now BACI) in 1998 as a part-time overnight caregiver and has since worked in almost every capacity of front line and leadership roles within Community Living. In 1995 Dave was seconded from the Burnaby Association to assist with opening of the first four homes within the HOME Society and was responsible for hiring, training and placement of all caregivers at this time. It was in 1997 that Dave spent the first of many training and mentoring sessions with Gentle Teaching founder Dr. John McGee and in 2002 became a certified Gentle Teaching Mentor. Dave has presented at the several Gentle Teaching International Conferences around the world and Canada. Dave, his wife and children have shared their home in Abbotsford with two adults with developmental disabilities for over twenty-six years and very grateful for the gifts learned and shared.
Dr. Karyn Harvey
Karyn Harvey has worked as a clinician in the field of intellectual disabilities for over 35 years. She has her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland. She has written three books: Positive Identity Development, Trauma –Informed Behavioral Interventions and Trauma and Healing, as well as a series of chapters in various publications. She currently has a private practice and does therapy with people with intellectual disabilities. In addition, she regularly conducts trainings on trauma-informed support for people with IDD, trauma-informed leadership, and trauma-informed behavioral interventions for both state and individual organizations throughout the US and Canada. She also trains trainers in trauma-informed approaches.
Monika Niewiarowska-Zych
Monika Niewiarowska-Zych is a licensed psychologist with a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Gdańsk (2003) and postgraduate specialization in early support and development for children with autism. She has completed numerous professional trainings, including Solution Focused Therapy, and in 2026 earned her Gentle Teaching Mentor Certification, deepening her commitment to relationship based, compassionate support. Since 2003, she has worked at the Psychological and Pedagogical Counseling Center in Chełmno, providing psychological assessment and guidance for children, adolescents, parents, and educators. In 2006, she expanded her practice to the Occupational Therapy Workshops at the Ludzie Ludziom Association, where she supports individuals with disabilities as well as their therapists and caregivers. She also runs a private psychological practice. Her primary areas of expertise include neurodiversity (autism, Tourette syndrome, intellectual disability), early childhood development, parenting competencies, and psychological resilience. She has extensive experience delivering workshops and training for teachers, parents, and social service professionals, and is dedicated to sharing knowledge that is practical, respectful, and grounded in evidence based practice. As a Gentle Teaching mentor, she promotes a care philosophy rooted in safety, connection, and unconditional value. Her work is guided by professionalism, empathy, and deep respect for every person. She believes that each individual—regardless of age, ability, or social status—has inherent worth and deserves to be met with dignity, understanding, and genuine presence.
Aleksandra Motylewska
Aleksandra Motylewska holds a Master’s degree in Special Education (Oligophrenopedagogy) and is a speech and language therapist and a therapist working with autistic people. She has also completed postgraduate studies in Educational Institution Management. She is a Gentle Teaching Mentor. With 20 years of professional experience, she has worked with people with disabilities of different ages and their families. Her professional interests focus on building meaningful, respectful and trusting relationships with the people she supports, deepening her understanding of their needs, and exploring ways of providing support that promotes dignity, belonging and genuine human connection. She is the President of the Przybij Piątkę Association, where she is involved in fundraising and developing projects that support people at risk of social exclusion and their families and communities. She also coordinates the Gentle People Team Chełmno, supporting the implementation of Gentle Teaching principles, professional and personal development within the group, and cooperation aimed at creating environments based on safety, respect, connection and belonging.
Shannon Wiebe
Shannon Wiebe has served people with disabilities and their families since 1990. She began working at Creative Options Regina in 2018 in the role of Mentorship and Outreach. Most recently her role has changed to be the lead with Family Transitions. Before COR she had the privilege of planning with families through single point of entry access to residential services in Regina. A certified GT Ambassador, Shannon has been instrumental in promoting GT at COR and across Saskatchewan having worked closely with John McGee and Tim Jones.
Magan Himmelspach
Magan lives with her sister Karlee and has been supported by COR since 2019. Magan loves everything sparkly, colorful hair and nails, music, wrestling and her job with the RCMP.
Jennifer Haak
Jen Haak is a Licensed Bachelor Level Social Worker. She has been actively supporting others for the past 25 years. Currently, she is working at Life Circles - PACE (Program for the All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly). She is a behavioral health and dementia specialist. Jen provides dementia education and care strategies to participant families and the community. Jen works with the Crisis Intervention Team in Muskegon County as a trainer providing education about supporting older adults in crisis and a role player to help participants of the training, practice the skills taught. Jen's work experience also includes assisting those with pervasive mental illness, as well as people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Jen provided Working with People Training, throughout the State of Michigan. She completed the Gentle Teaching Certified Mentor Program and assisted The Center for Positive Living Supports with the 3-Day Gentle Teaching Training. She is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), leading groups to regulate strong emotions, improve interpersonal effectiveness and activate distress tolerance skills during times of crisis. Jen has been a case manager on an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team and a supervisor of an Intensive Case Management (ICM) Team for individuals with both mental health and intellectual/developmental care needs while at Healthwest (Muskegon County's, Community Mental Health).