2026 Institute

2026 Martha McCarthy Education Law and Policy Institute

June 18, 2026
Indiana University School of Education
201 N. Rose Ave.
Bloomington, IN, 47405

This year’s Institute will feature legal issues surrounding curriculum, instruction, and parental rights as well as other hot topics in education law and policy.

Parking  Agenda  Speakers

Register now

Registration (includes a parking pass and lunch) is $35 for the general public and $15 for IU faculty, staff & students. Presenters, presiders, and volunteers are free.

Parking

Parking is available in the East Parking Garage at 150 N. Eagleson Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405. You may obtain your parking pass from volunteers who will be standing outside the parking garage from 8:30–9:30am.

Agenda

9:00 – 9:30 amRegistration & Light Refreshments
9:30 – 9:45 amWelcome

Janet Decker, J.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Indiana University
Robert Berry, Ph.D., School of Education Dean, Indiana University
9:45 – 10:45 amKeynote Presentation: The Right to Bubble-Wrap Children in the Bible: Dissecting Mahmoud v. Taylor

Jessica Heiser, J.D., Owner & Attorney, Imprint Legal Group
11:00 – 11:45 amBreakout Sessions Round 1

1. Hot Topics in College Athletics
Stephen Harper, J.D., Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer for Indiana University

2. Special Education Updates in Indiana
Monica Conrad, J.D., Director, Lewis Kappes

3. Public Employee Speech & Expression Rights
Ed Darden, J.D., Senior Program Officer at Gates Foundation; Adjunct Professor, Indiana University

4. DEI & Civil Rights in the Trump Era
Maria Lewis, J.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education, Pennsylvania State University

5. Indiana Legislative Update
Andrew Manna, J.D., Partner, Church Church Hittle + Antrim

6. Attorney-Administrator Relationships: What Each Wants the Other to Know
Thomas Bunger, J.D., Partner, Bunger & Robertson
Markay Winston, Ph.D., Superintendent of Monroe County Community School Corporation
11:45am – 12:30pmLunch 
12:45 – 1:45 pmPanel: Curriculum & Parental Rights

Jennifer Rippner, J.D., Ph.D., Adjunct Associate Professor, Indiana University
Erin Cooperman, J.D., M.P.H., President of Monroe Country Community School Corporation School Board
Jessica Billingsley, J.D., Partner, Church Church Hittle + Antrim
Facilitator: Alli Fetter Harrott, J.D., Ph.D., Lecturer, Butler University
2:00 – 2:45 pmBreakout Sessions Round 2

1. Hot Topics in College Athletics
Stephen Harper, J.D., Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer for Indiana University

2. Special Education Updates in Indiana
Monica Conrad, J.D., Director, Lewis Kappes

3. Public Employee Speech & Expression Rights
Ed Darden, J.D., Senior Program Officer at Gates Foundation; Adjunct Professor, Indiana University

4. DEI & Civil Rights in the Trump Era
Maria Lewis, J.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education, Pennsylvania State University

5. Indiana Legislative Update
Andrew Manna, J.D., Partner, Church Church Hittle + Antrim

6. Attorney-Administrator Relationships: What Each Wants the Other to Know
Thomas Bunger, J.D., Partner, Bunger & Robertson
Markay Winston, Ph.D., Superintendent of Monroe County Community School Corporation
3:00 – 3:45 pmChalk & Gavel Podcast Live Recording

Chris Thomas, J.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Florida
Jamie Kudlats, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina Charlotte 
3:45 – 4:00 pmConcluding Remarks

Sylvia Martinez, Ph.D., Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Department Chair, Indiana University
Hannah B. Gahimer, J.D., Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor, Indiana University

Speakers

Janet Decker

Janet Decker, J.D., Ph.D.

Janet Decker, J.D., Ph.D., is an associate professor in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Indiana University. Her research focuses on legal and policy issues in special education and legal literacy of educators and administrators. Her publications include two books: The Legal Rights of School Leaders, Teachers, and Students, 8th ed. and How to Prevent Special Education Litigation: Eight Legal Lesson Plans and two edited books: The Principal's Legal Handbook and A Guide to Special Education Law.

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Robert Berry

Robert Berry

Robert Berry III, Ph.D. is the Dean of the School of Education and Professor of Mathematics Education at Indiana University. He previously served as the Dean of the College of Education at the University of Arizona and was the Samuel Braley Gray Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Virginia. Berry is a National Academy of Education member, elected in 2022, and a past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). His research focuses on mathematics education, including standards-based teaching practices and the use of technology in learning.

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Sylvia Martinez

Sylvia Martinez

Sylvia Martinez, Ph.D., is a Professor and Department Chair of the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department at Indiana University. She received her PhD in sociology from the University of Chicago in 2006 and joined the IU faculty that same year. Dr. Martinez is jointly appointed in ELPS and in the Latino Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on Latino/a education, Latino/a ethnic identity development, and sociology of education issues more generally.

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Hannah Gahimer

Hannah Gahimer

Hannah B. Gahimer, J.D., is a Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Indiana University. She teaches undergraduate and graduate-level courses focused on school law, education policy, and ethics. Professor Gahimer is the Director of the Martha McCarthy Education Law & Policy Institute and Coordinator for the Education Law Certificate Program. Her research interests include student and employee constitutional rights, tort law and school liability for negligence, and employment-related civil rights compliance.

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Jessica Heiser

Jessica Heiser

Jessica Heiser is the Founder of Imprint Legal Group, a law and consulting firm that partners with organizations to create legally compliant, inclusive cultures. Following her graduation from Northwestern University, Jessica went on to teach middle and high school students in Los Angeles and St. Louis and ran a private-public partnership to raise graduation rates in Indianapolis schools. She attended the DePaul University College of Law, and while in law school, she worked for Legal Aid Chicago and the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. Jessica returned to Indiana to practice school law in private practice, where she advised K-12 school districts, colleges, and universities. In 2023, Jessica opened Imprint Legal Group with the goal of focusing on proactive solutions to education-related legal issues instead of reactive litigation. Imprint Legal Group focuses on protected class issues, such as disability, sex and gender, race and ethnicity, and religious rights. Throughout her career, Jessica has received the Legal Studies Thesis of Distinction Award for her research on affirmative action, Benjamin Hooks Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Diversity in Law Award.

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Monica Conrad

Monica Conrad

Monica Conrad, J.D., is an attorney at Lewis Kappes. She has extensive experience representing schools in special education matters, collective bargaining, labor arbitration and mediation, employment discrimination, civil rights, board governance, student issues, and unfair labor practices. Prior to practicing law, Monica was a special education administrator and educator, having attended Indiana State University, where she received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Special Education. She is a member of the National Council of School Attorneys, National School Attorneys Association, and the Indiana Council of School Attorneys.

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Stephen Harper

Stephen Harper

Stephen Harper, J.D., is the Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer for Indiana University. In addition to directing the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and Revenue Sharing programs within IU Athletics, Stephen manages day-to-day operations related to human resources, compliance, risk management, and legal affairs and contracts. Prior to assuming his current role, Stephen served as a high school English teacher and coach, then went on to attend the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. While in law school, Stephen worked as an Associate Instructor in the School of Education and taught Legal and Ethical Issues for Teachers with Dr. Martha McCarthy. Stephen also has experience working as an attorney in the IU Office of the Vice President and General Counsel.

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Ed Darden

Ed Darden, J.D.

Edwin Darden, J.D., is a Senior Program Officer with the Gates Foundation. In his role, he is responsible for devising the policy, advocacy, communications, and governmental relations strategies for K-12 and higher education. The foundation’s aim is to increase opportunities for all students – especially Black, Latinx and low-income students – to graduate from high school and succeed in college and careers. Throughout his career, Edwin has worked in a number of education law related positions including as a national consultant with the Education Advocacy Firm, founder of the Practical Education Law Team, director of Education Law and National Network Collaboration with Appleseed, a network of public interest justice centers in 16 states and Mexico, and a Senior Staff Attorney with the National School Boards Association. Edwin specializes in issues of education law and policy. In particular, he emphasizes federal statutes, the Constitution, and the key intersection of poverty, equity, and opportunity. Edwin is an Adjunct Instructor at Indiana University and a member of the McCarthy Institute Advisory Committee.

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Maria Lewis

Maria Lewis

Maria M. Lewis, J.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in Education Policy Studies and an affiliate faculty member with the law school at Pennsylvania State University. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn State, Dr. Lewis worked as a School Administration Consultant on the Special Education Team at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, where she provided support to school districts and conducted complaint investigations related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Her research applies a critical lens to examine the intersection of education law, policy, and leadership. Specifically, her research explores the ways the law may hinder or support the educational experiences of minoritized students, the relationship between social science research and laws or policies that implicate educational equity, protecting and enforcing federal civil rights under the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, and systemic change for equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice in education.

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Markay Winston

Markay Winston

Markay L. Winston was appointed Superintendent of the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) in January 2025. Dr. Winston is a career educator and has served at the executive level for the past two decades. She has a track record of successfully leading and executing large-scale strategic initiatives. Her leadership has prioritized two-way communications, strengthened the corporation’s financial stability, elevated student success and fostered meaningful connections throughout the community. Through transparent budgeting and careful stewardship, Dr. Winston is leading MCCSC toward financial balance while protecting educational quality. She has increased financial transparency through a new online portal and continues to honor the corporation’s referendum promises. Under her leadership, referendum funds have expanded student access to high-quality programs, more than doubled family access to Preschool and Pre-K, waived AP and CTE course fees, and ensured families no longer need to purchase school supplies. She has also strengthened MCCSC communications through regular digital updates and accessible community forums. For Dr. Winston, achieving financial balance is essential to sustaining the high-quality programs, supports and opportunities that help every student thrive. Students are at the center of every decision she makes, and student excellence is the driving force behind each strategic priority: strengthening health and safety, accelerating learning for everybody’s children, expanding early learning, ensuring state-of-the-art facilities, and strengthening fiscal and operational health.

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Andrew Manna

Andrew Manna

Andrew Manna, J.D., is a partner in the School Law group at Church Church Hittle + Antrim. He represents schools in matters associated with labor and employment law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and wage and hour compliance. Andrew also engages in the defense of school corporations against claims under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), First Amendment, and other constitutional and civil rights law matters. He also represents schools with respect to general school policy review. Andrew is a member of the McCarthy Institute Advisory Committee.

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Allison Fetter-Harrott

Allison Fetter-Harrott

Allison Fetter-Harrott, J.D., Ph.D., is a Lecturer at Butler University and of counsel at Church, Church, Hittle & Antrim. She is a graduate of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and the IU School of Education. Alli previously worked at Franklin College where she was a Professor and Williams Chair of Law & Public Service. She was also the founder and coach of the award-winning Franklin College Moot Court team. Prior to entering academia, Alli served as a law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and practiced in a large law firm, advising clients on employment and school law issues.

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Jennifer Rippner

Jennifer Rippner

Jennifer Rippner, J.D., Ph.D., is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Indiana University School of Education where she teaches education law and policy courses. Dr. Rippner previously served as a full-time faculty member at IU. Prior to her academic position, she served in a variety of education policy positions at the state level, including education advisor to Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and Executive Director of Georgia's Office of Student Achievement. She has also served as Senior Policy Advisor with EducationCounsel, LLC based in Washington, D.C. Dr. Rippner received her J.D. from the University of Florida and Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Georgia.

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Erin Cooperman

Erin Cooperman

Erin Cooperman, J.D., M.P.H., is the President of the Board of School Trustees of the Monroe County Community School Corporation as well as a Lecturer at the IU School of Public Health. Erin earned her M.P.H. from the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and earned her law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. Since 2007, Erin has been teaching law-related courses for the Department of Applied Health Science. Throughout her first ten years at IU, she directed an AmeriCorps program for the School of Public Health focusing first on health promotion in general and, eventually, implementing coordinated school health in rural school districts. Her prior work experience includes representing defendants in the Toledo Municipal Court and teaching human sexuality to middle school students for the YWCA. She is a licensed attorney and secondary education teacher.

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Jesse Billingsley

Jesse Billingsley

Jesse Billingsley, J.D., is a partner in the School Law group at Church Church Hittle + Antrim. She advises public school corporations, charter schools, private schools, and institutions of higher education on matters related to civil rights, employment discrimination, students with disabilities, and constitutional speech and expression. Jesse graduated from DePauw University cum laude and Indiana University McKinney School of Law magna cum laude. She was recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

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Jamie Kudlats

Jamie Kudlats

Jamie Kudlats, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he teaches courses in the Master of School Administration and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership programs. Jamie also developed and currently leads the Independent School concentration of the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, coordinates the Superintendency Ed.D. program, and serves as the Co-Chief Editor of Law & Policy in Schools. His research interests include positive and caring school leadership, interpersonal relationships in schools, school law, and school leaders’ impact on school culture and climate. Jamie earned his PhD in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Master of Arts in Education (Leadership and Educational Administration) from The George Washington University. Jamie also served as a math teacher in grades 4 through 8, a middle school assistant principal, and a middle school principal in Atlanta for 15 years.

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Christopher Thomas

Christopher Thomas

Christopher D. Thomas, J.D., Ph.D., is an assistant professor of educational leadership and policy at the University of Florida. Chris served as a high school English teacher before earning his J.D. and Ph.D. from the Ohio State University. He has worked for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the General Counsel, served as a judicial extern for a Sixth Circuit judge, and represented school corporations as an attorney at Frost Brown Todd. His research explores the intersection of education law, policy, and practice, with special attention to issues of democratic governance and participation. He is the author of Reclaiming Democratic Education: Student and Teacher Activism and the Future of Education Policy, which received the Education Law Association's 2022 Stephen S. Goldberg Award for outstanding scholarship in the field of Education Law.

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