Caitlin Shanley, MS CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathologist Boston Public Schools
Caitlin currently works in the Boston Public Schools in one of their Inclusion Programs. She has 22 years of experience as a Speech Pathologist, primarily working in public schools. In 2016, she received the Golden Bell Award for Excellence in Teaching in California. She previously sat on the Advisory Board for KEEN San Francisco, which is a 1:1 exercise program for children with disabilities. She worked at Camp Shout Out for Youth who Stutter from 2018-2022. Since coming back to Boston in 2019, she has been focusing a lot on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Language and Literacy to support Language access. Caitlin also currently serves on the MDSC Education Task Force.
Crista Yagjian, M.Ed., Lecturer at Vermont Higher Ed Collaborative and University of Vermont
Crista is a Vermont special educator and reading & writing specialist who lives in Guilford, Vermont. She believes in student-centered planning that leverages student strengths and utilizes a collaborative teaming model to help all students access learning alongside their peers. In 2020, Crista completed UVM’s LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program as a Family Fellow and focused her work on family and school partnerships. Currently Crista supports new special educators in VT-HEC's Special Education Academy and is a teacher for the class, Meeting the Instructional Needs of All Students with Complex Profiles. She also teaches a graduate special education literacy class at the University of Vermont. Crista shares that one of her most favorite jobs is as a parent educator for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress' Learning Program. In addition to being an educator for over 25 years, Crista is also a parent to her curious, very determined, and music-loving son, Nate, who has Down syndrome.
Chuck Zucco, MSW, Special Education Case Manager and LEA, Tewksbury Memorial High School
Chuck Zucco, MSW has been the High School Special Education Case Manager & LEA, Tewksbury Memorial High School since 2010. Over that time, he has run thousands of IEP meetings and written or reviewed as many IEPs. He is adjunct faculty in special education for Endicott College. Chuck started in special education working at the Gifford School 30 years ago. While he has specialized in adolescents with social, emotional, and behavioral needs and designing and overseeing programs serving this population, he has worked with students with a wide range of needs through his clinical and special education work at public and private schools and private tutoring and consultation with families. Chuck established PassTheMTEL.com in 1999 and has trained several thousands of Massachusetts educators to pass their teacher certification exams. He has been trained by and worked with Allan Blume, the author of the Blume Method of understanding and writing IEPs.
Iris Long, Assistive Technology Regional Center Director, UCP of Western Massachusetts
In 2022, I proudly graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in Computer Technology, fueled by an unwavering passion for the vital intersection of disability and accessibility. My heart has found its purpose in my two years at UCP of Western Massachusetts, where I have poured my energy and commitment into empowering residents with disabilities across our beautiful state. Each day, I strive to be a beacon of hope, providing crucial resources, invaluable information, and innovative technology to ensure that everyone can experience the fullness of a life without limits.
Lyndsey Nunes, Ph.D., MPH, Director, Westfield State University Inclusive Postsecondary Education (WIPSE)
Lyndsey Nunes, Ph.D., MPH, has served as the Westfield State University Inclusive Postsecondary Education (WIPSE) Director since 2013. Lyndsey is focused on systems and policy changes that result in more inclusive higher ed opportunities for individuals with ID/D in Massachusetts. Lyndsey has more than 15 years of experience working with students with disabilities ages, 8-22 in a variety of settings such as public schools, private schools, home consultations, and inclusive postsecondary education. She received her PhD in Special Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Masters of Science, Behavior Analysis and Masters of Science, Special Education from Simmons University, and her Master's of Public Health from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Mary Price, MAICEI State Director
Mary Price took the role of MAICEI Director for the Department of Higher Education in January 2020. In this role, Mary oversees the fourteen MAICEI (Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative) programs at many public colleges and universities throughout the state. Since her start as the MAICEI Director at the DHE, Mary has guided the MAICEI Coordinators throughout the state in helping support the students during the pandemic and consulted with public community colleges and universities on the proper procedures in submitting grant proposals. She has worked with campuses regarding the proper steps needed to take to lead a MAICEI Program, and has planned statewide conferences for Coordinators, as well as leading monthly meetings where campus updates are shared
Micaiah Elow, Self-Advocate Keynote Presenter
Micaiah Elow is a 15 year old student at the William Henderson School in Dorchester. He is the youngest of 3 children, he has an older sister and brother that he loves to hang out with. Micaiah likes to laugh and to prank his friends and family. He started high school this year and is very excited about being a 9th grader. Micaiah has been a member of the Yawkey Boys and Girls Club since he was 6 years old. He enjoys being in the Technology Center and has taken cooking classes there as well. Micaiah was able to apply for and secure a job as Young Leader both last year and this year. He was nominated for Junior Youth of the year this year. He did not win but made it to the final 2 at the Yawkey Club. While being a Young Leader he has had the opportunity to attend Financial Literacy workshops with KPMG and learn other life skills. He has been a member of Brookline Special Olympics since 2022 and enjoys meeting new people. He continues to participate and raise money for the MDSC Buddy Walk as head of Micaiah’s Army and a proud member of 21 Shades Down Syndrome Support Group. His parents, Melissa and Darryl Elow are very proud of him.
Patricia McDaid, Ed.D, Inclusive Education Consultant
Dr. Patricia McDaid, Ed. D. has worked in the field of Special Education for more than 30 years, teaching and learning from students with a wide variety of complex learning and behavioral needs. Dr. McDaid completed her undergraduate degree in Learners with Severe Special Needs at Boston College, followed by Masters and Doctoral studies at Boston University. After 5 years working for the TIES National Technical Assistance Center on Inclusive Practices and US, Dr. McDaid now consults to school districts across the country. The focus of her current work is to support schools and districts to create equitable and inclusive school communities by leveraging implementation science within a systems change model.
Richard R. Reid, PhD, Licensed School Psychologist
Richard Reid, Ph.D. is a licensed School Psychologist with over 40 years of experience working in the field of psychology. He is the founder of Green Mountain Psycho-Educational Services, an organization that provides staff development, consultation, systems change support, individual assessment services, and program evaluations to school districts. Dr. Reid has been affiliated with the University of Vermont, St. Michael’s College, Southern New Hampshire University, and Vermont State University where he provided instruction to teachers and mental health professionals on assessment and interventions for students with unique and complex learning profiles. His areas of professional interest and expertise include student assessment, early intervention, student progress monitoring, systems change and innovation, Responsiveness to Intervention (RtI), and program evaluation.
Shelby Cortis, MS OTR
Since 2004, I have dedicated the first part of my career as a Physical Therapist Assistant within diverse healthcare environments. In 2018 I graduated from Bay Path University with a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy. I am deeply committed to assisting individuals in reaching their fullest potential. In my current position as Senior Director of Assistive Technology at UCP of Western Massachusetts, I have found an organization that mirrors my own passion for compassion—a vision of a life without limits. I am an active member of both the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). Before assuming my current role, I gained valuable experience as a clinical occupational therapist in school and home care settings.
Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Teaching & Learning Department, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, Boston University
Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston University. A former special education teacher and inclusion facilitator from New Hampshire, Dr. Rossetti’s research focuses on social interactions and friendships between students with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), specifically the contexts and dynamics of such relationships and how educators and families may facilitate social opportunities. His research also examines the experiences of families with children with IDD by centering on participation and language access in IEP meetings, community participation, family-professional partnerships of culturally and linguistically diverse families, and sibling roles and relationships. Dr. Rossetti co-authored "Affirming disability: Strengths-based portraits of culturally diverse families" (2020, Teachers College Press). He also co-authored "Seeing the Charade: What We Need to Do and Undo to Make Friendships Happen" (2006, Inclusive Solutions: Nottingham, UK).