Meg Benedetto has been the Assistant Principal of Primrose Elementary in the Somers Central School District since July 2016.  During her time at SCSD, she led the anti-bias work at the elementary level and was instrumental in her school’s recognition as a Gold Star No Place for Hate School, through the Anti-Defamation League.  She joined the Somers team after serving as the Assistant Principal of Dows Lane Elementary in Irvington, NY for three years.  Her teaching career started at Austin Road Elementary in Mahopac, NY where she taught third and fourth grades for seventeen years, including more than five years as an integrated co-teaching partner.  Meg attended Marist College as an undergraduate where she earned Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in addition to elementary and special education certifications.  She went on to earn a Master’s in Special Education from Western Connecticut State University. Later, she earned her Master of Education and her School District and Building Level certification through the Future School Leaders Academy at Bank Street College.

Dr. Neil Broxterman has served the North Penn School District community for all 17 years of his educational career.  Prior to his current role as Special Education Supervisor for North Penn High School, a high school serving roughly 3,200 students,, Neil taught social studies at the middle school level, served as an assistant principal at the high school, and was the principal of A.M. Kulp Elementary School.   Neil received his bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University in Secondary Education with concentrations in Spanish and Social Studies.  He later obtained his master’s degree from Wilkes University and his principal certification from Gwynedd Mercy University.  Most recently, Neil completed his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at Immaculata University along with his letter of eligibility for superintendency. Throughout his career, Neil has enjoyed advocating and working with students with disabilities.  His passion for special education extends beyond his professional career as a parent of two children who are on the Autism spectrum.  It helps inform his decision-making and efforts to partner with parents in the education of their children.  He enjoys partnering with parents, staff, and most importantly, students in helping them learn and grow.

Dr. Joyce Carr began her career in education as a special education teacher 29 years ago. She spent 10 years teaching at the middle and high school level before moving into administration. Dr. Carr has been an assistant principal at the middle school level, an assistant supervisor for special education and CSE chairperson grades K-12. Ms. Carr is currently the Supervisor of Special Education in a district of 5,000 students. She received her B.S. in Special Education, M.S. in Health Education, district administrative degree and Doctorate in Special Education. Ms. Carr initiated inclusive reform in her district 4 years ago and has worked with staff, administration, community agencies and parents to make this paradigm shift in the service delivery for students with disabilities.

Ms. Suzanne Comstock has been an educator for 27 years. She began her educational career as a remedial reading teacher at both the high school and elementary level.  She spent 10 years as a general education classroom teacher at the elementary level before moving into the roles of instructional support and administrator.  Currently, Mrs. Comstock is in the role of Assistant Supervisor of Special Education and a district CSE chairperson.  She received her B.S. in Education from Mansfield University, M.S. in Literacy from Elmira College and Administrative degree from University of Scranton.  Mrs. Comstock has been an pivotal person regarding the implementation of inclusive educational opportunities for students with disabilities in the Elmira City School District.  Ms. Comstock also provides professional learning opportunities for staff in the district regarding best inclusive practices and strategies.

Julie Causton, Ph.D. is the founder and CEO of Inclusive Schooling, author of six books and over forty articles on inclusive schooling. She works with administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals and families across the country to help them promote and improve inclusive practices. Her dynamic presentations focus on engaging ways to educate all students within the context of general education. Julie has spent the past 20 years studying best practices for inclusive education.  She was a Professor teaching future educators in the Inclusive and Special Education Program at Syracuse University and before that taught elementary, middle and high school special education.  She knows firsthand how inclusion leads to better outcomes for all students. She lives in Manlius, NY with her two awesome children.

Ruth Desiderio, Supervisor of Special Education, has worked in North Penn School District since 1998.  She began in the district with a combined position as both a Learning Support teacher and an Instructional Support teacher at the elementary level.  She became a Supervisor of Special Education in 2010.  Ruth earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College.  She then earned her master’s degree and certification in Elementary and Special Education from LaSalle University, and continued on to obtain her Supervisor of Special Education certificate from Penn State University.  Ruth has also taught several courses as an adjunct professor at LaSalle University, and has supervised graduate students as they pursued certification through LaSalle’s summer inclusion practicum.  In her current role, Ruth shares supervisory responsibility in programming for students with IEPs at North Penn High School, including the District’s “Post-12” program.  Ruth also oversees the district’s team of Behavior Specialists, who work closely with school teams to facilitate the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classes, provide district-wide trainings to build the capacity of staff to understand and respond to behaviors, and conduct crisis intervention and response trainings.

is an autistic self-advocate and currently a PhD student in special education and disability studies at Syracuse University. Brianna has a masters degree in special education and bachelors degree and teaching certification in elementary education. She is currently a research assistant at the Institute on Communication and Inclusion which researches and supports typing to communicate. As someone with her own neurodivergent and alternative communication journey, her research and work focuses on exposing the possibilities when different ways of being are centered in schools, in the community, and in research.

Jackie Giammarco has served the North Penn School District for nearly 14 years in varied capacities.   Jackie studied Special Education, Elementary Education and American Studies at LaSalle University, and earned her Master of Science in Reading from Gwynedd Mercy University. She also acquired certifications as Reading Specialist and Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction.  Jackie served as a special education teacher and reading specialist for ten years at North Penn High School.   During that time, Jackie obtained her credentials in multiple reading systems including Wilson Reading, Just Words, and Lindamood Bell: Visualizing and Verbalizing.   In 2015, Jackie became the district’s first inclusion facilitator, supporting inclusive practices across our elementary and secondary buildings.  In this role, she provided job-embedded coaching and professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators to meet the needs of all students.  Jackie supported the expansion and implementation of the inclusion facilitator role across the district.  She also co-led the revamping of her district’s new teacher induction program to provide multi-layers of professional development and support for new teachers, ensuring a strong foundation for new teachers in inclusive practices. At the beginning of this school year, Jackie transitioned to the role of learning coach and has  supported district priorities including, cultural proficiency, mental health and Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports.   In November 2018, Jackie published an article for ASCD Express in an issue dedicated to “STEM for Social Justice.” Most recently, she transitioned to the role of Curriculum Supervisor for Professional Learning and is excited to continue to support the professional learning of teachers, administrators, and staff.

I am a freshman  at Onondaga Community College. I am really excited about participating at this leadership conference as it means a lot to me to share my experiences with the educators. My ability to communicate has changed my life from nothingness to one of completeness. I am quite happy with my life and I am able to express my intelligence to the fullest possible extent. The best part is getting regular education which has been an unexpressed dream of mine for so many years. Philosophy is my passion and Physics interests me greatly. I love writing poems too. My transition from high school to college has been quite arduous as fear of losing the familiar and losing the support of family as I transition into adulthood had made me quite bogged down and overwhelmed to the point of disrupting my quality of life and my family’s too. I am slowly coming out of this fear and want to share this part of my journey to help the educators and parents understand, anticipate,  and come up with creative solutions.

I am a freshman at Onondaga Community College. I hope to graduate and start a small gluten free bakery someday. Making clay art and cooking are my hobbies. I am participating in this leadership conference to share how my ability to communicate has changed my life. My whole life has changed as if I am reborn and no words can describe how wonderful it has been. It has turned my life around 180° from an automated robotic existence under the influence of OCDs getting worse every day, to being able to express my true thoughts and be an equal partner in communication. I am able to advocate for my needs and wants and able to educate my peers and professors that autism may have affected my ability to express like others however, it can’t take away my expression and who I am. There are so many like me who haven’t found their voice yet and I would like to extend a plea to all of you to help those who need a voice to find it by whatever means necessary. Let us all unite together and pave a path for the success of students of all abilities.

I am a mother of three children, of whom two are on the spectrum, twins. Yes, MOTHER is the only identity I feel like I have, as all other roles dissolved into this one mega role. It has been a long, arduous journey to get to where we are now, however there has been plenty of exhilarating moments and experiences too. It has been my greatest honor to be able to help my children to get where they are now and move further beyond. Being a part of this Leadership Conference is a great opportunity for me to share our journey from my perspective and may be we can find ways to make this journey less arduous for others. Life is all about balance. When we lose it, no matter what we achieve, it may not be worth it. I found out that every member of a special needs family needs mental, emotional and moral support. It can be through our friends network, extended family support, or societal support. We shall never feel guilty for taking the time to rejuvenate. It is the key for continued support for our children.

is a writer and learning activist who did not learn to read until he was 12 years old. He is a graduate of Brown University’s class of 2000 and holds an honors degree in English Literature.   Jonathan has spent his entire professional career as a social entrepreneur developing organizations, programs, and initiatives to improve the lives of marginalized groups. In 1997, as an undergraduate at Brown University, Jonathan co-founded Project Eye-To-Eye, a non-profit advocacy organization for students with learning differences.  As the founding president and Executive Director, Jonathan grew the organization from an undergraduate project conceived in his dorm room into a national organization, which currently has 38 chapters in 20 states working with over 10,000 parents, educators, and students.

With the publication of Learning Outside The Lines (now in its 18th printing) when he was 23, Jonathan has established himself as one of the foremost leaders in the neurodiversity and learning revolution. His second book, The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal was published in the spring of 2007 to outstanding reviews in The New York Times Book Review, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune and many other national publications. Jonathan’s work has been widely recognized for its innovation and social impact. In 1999, Jonathan was selected as a Harry S. Truman Scholar for Public Service. In 2000, Jonathan was selected as a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. In 2002, the LD Access Foundation recognized his work for students with disabilities with the Golden Advocacy award.

Jonathan is a highly sought after speaker on neurodiversity, education reform, the learning revolution, and creating college and career pathways for at risk youth. He has lectured in 43 states and three countries. He has been featured and quoted in/on The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, HBO, NPR, ABC News, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe.