Timely Topics. Trusted Voices. Transformative Conversations.
The PLACE Exchange is a forum where UW–Madison School of Education faculty and staff join educational and organizational leaders, families, and community members to discuss timely education topics related to pre-K-12 and the broader lifespan.
Key Information:
- 90-minute virtual gathering
- Fully-funded–no cost to participants
- Focused presentations of foundational knowledge
- Engaging Q&A spaces for dialogue and addressing specific questions
During each PLACE Exchange, participants gain:
- Evidence-based insight and access to the latest research
- Up-to-date resources and effective strategies
- A welcoming space for your questions and dialogue
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, parent, policy maker, or community advocate, the PLACE Exchange offers accessible, actionable learning to help you stay informed and empowered.
Upcoming – Education Law Webinars:
- New Legal Developments for Educators – January 10th, 2026 | 9:00 am – 10:15 am CST
- First Amendment Rights for Students – February 7th, 2026 | 9:00 am – 10:15 am CST
- Understanding Special Education Law: Exploring What’s Old and What’s New – March 7th, 2026 | 9:00 am – 10:15 am CST
As we grow this new forum, please share any topics you’d like to see covered in the future by clicking the link below:
Education Law Webinars led by Professor Suzanne Eckes
New Legal Developments for Educators – January 10th, 2026 | 9:00 am – 10:15 am CST | Virtual via Zoom
This session will provide educators with a basic legal update on a variety of pressing matters that impact K-12 public schools. For example, issues surrounding student discipline, student injury, religion in schools, FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), social media and teachers’ SPEECH RIGHTS, book bans, curricular challenges, and other emerging topics will be discussed. This update will be useful to classroom teachers/aides, school leaders, school board members, parents, and others interested in school legal issues.
First Amendment Rights for Students -February 7th, 2026 | 9:00 am – 10:15 am CST | Virtual via Zoom
During this session we will explore legal issues that address students’ First Amendment rights in k-12 public schools. For example, can a student wear a political t-shirt to school? Can a student criticize a teacher on social media? How much leeway does a student have to express their opinions off-campus? When does freedom of speech cross the line into bullying and harassment? When do dress code policies (or policies related to hair) abridge students’ First Amendment rights?
Understanding Special Education Law: Exploring What’s Old and What’s New – March 7th, 2026 | 9:00 am – 10:15 am CST | Virtual via Zoom
This session, featuring Dr. Julie Mead, retired UW-Madison Professor Emeritus, will provide an overview and an update to special education law. It will explore topics like: 1) The difference between 504 Plans and IEPs and teachers’ roles in developing and delivering each; 2) Understanding the term “benefit” when thinking about what a child needs on an IEP; 3) Understanding parents’ rights in the process; 4) Understanding teachers’ roles in the discipline of children with disabilities; and 5) Understanding your obligations under federal and state law given the changes happening at the United States Department of Education.
Click here to subscribe for updates about the Education Law Webinars
* The Education Law webinars are hosted by the UW-Madison School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and the office of Professional Learning and Community Education (PLACE). This partnership was made possible by the generosity of the School of Education Dean’s Office and the Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center.
Suzanne Eckes
Susan S. Engeleiter Professor of Education Law, Policy, and Practice at the School of Education
Suzanne Eckes is the Susan S. Engeleiter Professor of Education Law, Policy, and Practice at the School of Education. Much of her research focuses on how civil rights laws impact education policies in K-12 public schools. She is a co-author or co-editor of several articles and books, including Legal Rights of School Leaders, Teachers and Students (8th ed., Pearson). She is a faculty affiliate with the University of Wisconsin Law School. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Wisconsin School of Education, she was a professor at Indiana University, a lawyer, and a public high school teacher.
Julie Fisher Mead
Professor Emerita in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis
Julie Fisher Mead is a professor emerita in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis. Dr. Mead researches and writes about topics related to the legal aspects of education. Dr. Mead’s research centers on legal issues related to special education and legal issues raised by various forms of school choice.
Stephanie Richards
Outreach Program Manager
Stephanie Richards is an Outreach Program Manager, administering, evaluating, and growing outreach programs, including the UW Community Arts Collaboratory. Richards earned her master’s in public health from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She has served in various community outreach capacities within UW–Madison for 15+ years, from Industrial Engineering, leading research and training programs across the country, to Public Health coaching community coalitions to advance health and equity throughout Wisconsin. In her spare time, Richards is an aerialist, instructor, producer, and board member at Madison Circus Space.
Sandra Taylor-Marshall
Outreach Program Manager
Sandra is an Outreach Program Manager at PLACE who develops and facilitates programs with UW-Madison faculty that exemplify the Wisconsin Idea in action. For example, she designed the Coalition for Leading Anti-Racist Schools with Dr. Anjalé Welton, which utilizes job-embedded coaching to support educators and organizational leaders engaging in an anti-racist cycle of inquiry. A passionate leader and coach, Sandra strives to create high quality, engaging experiences that utilize job-embedded coaching, advance equity, and integrate authentic opportunities to put research into practice. A former PK-5 literacy coordinator, instructional coach, classroom teacher, and interventionist, Sandra earned her Master of Science degree in Education with an emphasis on reading. She received her reading specialist license from Concordia University Wisconsin.
Program Partners
Professor emeritus, educational leadership and policy analysis School of Education
Julie Fisher Mead is a professor emerita in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis. Dr. Mead researches and writes about topics related to the legal aspects of education. Dr. Mead’s research centers on legal issues related to special education and legal issues raised by various forms of school choice.