Special education mediator Sadie Cort presented on conflict resilience at the 2024 SELPA Administrators of California ADR Conference, empowering educators, parents, and dispute resolution professionals with practical tools for navigating conflict.
For professionals working at the intersection of special education and mediation, few gatherings are as impactful as the annual SELPA Administrators of California ADR Conference.
Bringing together educators, administrators, mediators, facilitators, parents, and special education leaders, the conference serves as an important space for advancing collaborative approaches to some of the most complex challenges facing schools and families.In March 2024, Sadie Cort joined that conversation as a featured presenter, leading a session titled “Conflict Resilience: Self-Exploration & Transformation” at the 2024 SELPA Administrators of California ADR Conference in Riverside, California.
Distilling Lessons, Supporting Conflict Resilience for Others
For Sadie, the event represented both a professional milestone and a continuation of work that has become central to her mission.
Reflecting on the experience afterward, she shared:
“I greatly enjoyed speaking at and attending one of my favorite events of the year, the 2024 State SELPA ADR Conference. It was an honor to present on the topic of Conflict Resilience and how participants can utilize the tools and skills I covered in my training in order to successfully navigate conflict in the special education setting and beyond.”
Her presentation focused on a concept that is increasingly important in education settings: conflict resilience.
While conflict is often viewed as something to avoid, Sadie encourages educators, parents, and professionals to see conflict differently. Conflict is a normal part of human relationships and organizational life. The challenge is not eliminating conflict entirely, but developing the skills, awareness, and resilience necessary to engage with it constructively.
Drawing from her experience as a mediator, Certified Behavioral Therapist, special education practitioner, and individual with lived experience navigating the IEP process, Sadie explored practical techniques participants could use to better understand conflict dynamics, strengthen communication, and foster more productive conversations.
Resonating With Families Across the Nation
The topic resonated strongly with attendees.
“[It was] deeply rewarding to hear educators and parents alike share how they connected to the material and felt empowered to utilize conflict resolution techniques,” Sadie reflected.
That response highlights a growing need within special education systems nationwide.
As disputes involving Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), accommodations, evaluations, and educational services continue increasing, many educators and families are searching for alternatives to adversarial approaches. Collaborative problem-solving, mediation, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills are increasingly recognized as essential tools for preserving relationships while keeping the focus where it belongs: supporting student success.
Sadie’s work occupies a unique space within that conversation.
Her professional background includes training in Special Education IEP Meeting Facilitation, family mediation, and court-connected mediation, while her lived experience navigating special education systems provides an additional perspective that many families find relatable and valuable.
Leadership in Her Life’s Work
This combination of professional expertise and personal understanding has helped establish Sadie as a respected voice within both the dispute resolution and special education communities. The next year, she received a nomination to be the Vice President of Kids Managing Conflict for the Southern California Mediation Association Education Foundation.
The conference also provided an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and leaders working to advance alternative dispute resolution practices in education settings.
“So amazing to experience a professional environment where you feel so at home,” Sadie shared. “I am so grateful for the connections I made and look forward to continuing to create and foster meaningful relationships in this community.”
She also noted the opportunity to spend time with respected leaders and pioneers in the special education and ADR fields, including Carlo Rossi.
For Mosaic Collaborative Consulting, Sadie’s participation reflects a broader commitment to advancing healthier approaches to conflict in education, families, and communities.
It also reflects something deeply personal to Sadie herself, not simply a career.
Sadie sees her life’s work as helping people understand that conflict is normal, that difficult conversations can be navigated skillfully, and that stronger relationships often emerge when people learn how to engage conflict with curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Learn More About Sadie’s Unique Approach
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