A further expansion of my ongoing work at MAAPS, the association supporting the Commonwealth's approved special education schools.MEMBERSHIP: Assist the Association in achieving its mission by recruiting and retaining members. Member recruitment, onboarding, assessment, and services. Stakeholder engagement.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Planning and management of meaningful and responsive professional development activities, working groups, and listservs.COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING: Management of Association branding and communications, member and stakeholder communications, briefs, infographics

The Director of Member Assistance and Professional Development advances MAAPS’ planning and strategy initiatives to prepare the Association for current and future impacts and opportunities in education, manages a variety of projects and initiatives related to MAAPS’ mission “to representprivate special education schools in their goal of providing the highest quality educationto students with special needs,” with a primary focus on areas of analysis and impacts ofeducation policy, regulations, and the ability to provide technical assistance, all insupport of MAAPS’ approved special education school members and programs. Duties include managing working groups, organizing professional development including DEIB and leadership trainings, member communications and social media, listservs, website, advertisements and interactive school directory, as well as planning and execution of special events, awards, and conferences. Participate in state agency working groups including DESE Special Education Advisory Group, DMH Restraint Seclusion Prevention Initiative, DESE CHAMP change coalition, and other groups as needed.

As the Program Director of a state approved Ch. 766 alternative day school for students with autism and related diagnoses, I oversaw the daily operation of a special education program for students ages 5-22. I facilitated admissions in cooperation with public schools and parents, evaluated special education referrals, recruited and hired teachers and support staff, oversaw scheduling and program development, participated in MA DESE regulatory compliance, engaged in behavior management (including non- violent crisis interventions), managed student disciplinary procedures including suspensions and terminations, and maintained overall program quality. In addition, I created and maintained the school website and Facebook page, facilitated community involvement (including cooperation with other non-profits, fundraising efforts, and marketing), and organized special events such as field trips and school wide celebrations. I crafted the school mission statement and core values, revised the school policies and procedures, and created new mechanisms for improved transparency and accountability in reporting behavior interventions with students in our program. Relevant administrative experience included understanding of private special education compliance, successful DESE mid-cycle reviews, program reconstruction, special circumstances salary upgrades, experience with DESE incident, waiver, and termination processes, and facilitation of teacher licensure. I initiated improved hiring practices to recruit high quality staff. I created procedures and materials for employee orientation and facilitated employee onboarding. In my tenure, I focused on maintaining the integrity of our school model, specifically standardizing environmental expectations, streamlining daily communication with parents, supporting collaboration between departments, and promoting the use of evidence-based practices, especially Applied Behavior Analysis.

I was the lead teacher for a group of special education students with High Functioning Autism, Asperger's, and related learning and behavior challenges. I implemented IEP objectives, reported on student progress, communicated with parents, and collaborated with clinical support staff to help students reach their highest potential. In addition to addressing the MA curriculum frameworks, I also taught daily social skills lessons, implemented individual behavior support plans, and successfully co-taught with another licensed teacher in a self contained, multi-age class. At Summit Academy, I have been a lead teacher for grades 4-8.

Small group tutoring in reading and math; Soar to Success reading intervention curriculum; Project CRISS training- metacognitive teaching strategies across the curriculum. Attended Marlborough district summer ABA institute, a 3 week mini-course conducted by NECC.

Moved to Central MA in January of 2004 and worked half the year as 1:1 aide for a grade 3 student with autism. Social and behavioral support throughout the day, comic strip conversations, small group reading support.

After completing two years of student teaching experiences at the Pine Grove School, I accepted the position of third grade classroom teacher. In my fourth and fifth years of employment, I "looped" with my students in a pilot 2-year continuous teaching program.

Oversaw programming for a Christian summer camp (week long overnight sessions), grades 3-12, families, seniors, and adults with special needs.

Summers 1989-1994Christian summer camp, children in grades 3-12 and adults with special needs. 24/7 direct care, supervision of staff, planned and oversaw teen leadership training program