PUMP IT UP!

Dan Habib produced and co-directed the Emmy Award-winning My Disability Roadmap, a 2022 New York Times Op-Doc featured at Hot Docs, Doc NYC, and Hot Springs. He is the Director/Producer/Cinematographer of the nationally broadcast (public television) documentary films Intelligent Lives, Who Cares About Kelsey?, Mr. Connolly Has ALS, and Including Samuel. He served on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities under President Obama. He is currently the Inclusive Communities Project Director at the Westchester Institute for Human Development.

Samuel Habib co-directed the Emmy Award-winning My Disability Roadmap, a 2022 New York Times Op-Doc. The film was a Critics Choice nominee and featured at festivals including Hot Docs, Doc NYC, and Hot Springs. Samuel was also a story consultant on the nationally broadcast film Mr. Connolly Has ALS and has presented nationally on disability rights. Samuel is a college student who navigates significant, chronic health challenges due to his underlying GNAO1 Neurodevelopmental Disorder. He works at the Westchester Institute for Human Development.

Zach Smith is a highly experienced education professional with 20 years of expertise in various roles in the field. His focus lies in promoting equitable and inclusive teaching practices, implementing tiered support systems, fostering communities of practice, and leading school system transformations. With a strong foundation in improvement science and systems thinking, Zach strives to reimagine educational outcomes that work for all students. He has held diverse positions ranging from substitute teacher to university professor. He resides in Fresno, California, with his wife Dorothy and their four daughters - Grace, Amy, Isabella, and Sydney. 

Zach's academic achievements include a bachelor's degree (B.A.) in liberal studies from Fresno State University and a master's degree (M.A.) in special education from the same institution. Additionally, he holds a doctorate in education leadership (Ed.L.D.) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency and ensures that Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities are guaranteed the same full and equal opportunities for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as all Americans. 

Sheraden Nicholau leads a Bay Area based team, executing the State Council on Developmental Disabilities’ core functions of advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change. This team is also responsible for data collection and community engagement for the National Core Indicators Project.

Sheraden has held both lead and individual contributor roles in cross-sector and intra-industry advisory committees, task forces, and collaboratives, affecting change in inclusionary practices, policy and legislation. Previously in her career, Sheraden served as an associate executive director for a nonprofit service and advocacy organization. She received her MA and BA in Sociology, focused on social justice, social capital, and human services.

Rebecca Corbett has been a self-advocate for much of her life but learned about systems advocacy 10+ year ago when being part of an advocacy group called Consumer Action Committee (CAC)  through her Futures Explored day program. As an advocate, she has spoken to a variety of programs and schools about advocacy needs and issues of importance for people with disabilities. She has been a part of the East Bay Legislative Coalition (EBLC), and her county’s Developmental Disabilities Council, where she has advocated to and educated local and state legislators about disability rights, including during Town Halls, legislative meetings and the EBLC Breakfasts. Recently, Rebecca was a presenter at the CA Parent Teacher Association Convention, speaking on the values and elements of inclusive education. Additionally, Rebecca has been involved in rallies and die-ins focused on disability rights -- how our lives would be if the government were to cut our services, support, and health care.

Elizabeth Grigsby is an advocate for all people-- with disabilities and without disabilities. She believes that we all have something special to bring to the table in leadership. Elizabeth has worked for Golden Gate Regional Center since 1995 as the agency’s Rights Advocate. She provides education about the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act and self-advocacy, and serves on many committees, coalitions, and working groups that benefit the community. She advocates for marginalized people to have their voices and experiences heard and respected -- so that they can access what they need and want for their own life. She speaks from her lived experience and from others in the community. Previously, has served as an Advisor for the People First Chapter of Alameda County, and served for 2 terms, 6 years on the Bay Area Regional Advisory Committee of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, where she has served as Chairperson. Additionally, Elizabeth advocates for sexual health and safety. She believes that no one should be victimized, and that no one should be touched or have their space invaded without consent. Elizabeth advocates for and believes that we all can live as equals one day.

In her words: I’m a disabled activist and I’m not going to stop until the world that I want becomes a reality. Hopefully, it will happen in my lifetime.

Alex Madrid was born in Manila, Philippines, with Cerebral Palsy.  In 1996, he moved to San Francisco and later attended the University of California, Berkeley. While he was a student at UC Berkeley, Alex became a strong advocate for disability rights. Currently, Alex is the Housing Specialist at Golden Gate Regional Center. Before that he was Housing and Peer Support Coordinator at the Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) in San Mateo. In his positions, he assists people with disabilities to identify resources, strategies, and equipment for achieving maximum independence. He joined the San Francisco Mayor’s Disability Council in 2017 and continues to be a champion for the rights of people with disabilities in his community. His areas of interest are accessible transportation, programmatic access, and accessible information technology. He also on the board member of San Francisco In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority, and SamTrans Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).

Emily Witkin is the Chairperson for the CA State Council on Developmental Disabilities. She also serves as a tutor for K-12 students with disabilities (all subjects through 8th grade and specializing in math and science). Emily is involved in social justice communities online, with others from the United States and from overseas. She is also a voting member of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Accessibly Task Force.

Previously, Emily served as elected Class President for the Transitions Options Program (TOPS), through Mount Diablo Unified School District. TOPS is an educational program serving adults with autism and related disabilities. During that time, she organized fundraisers and worked to expand student leadership by creating new leadership positions and establishing regular student council meetings, to give students with disabilities more voice in shaping their program. Emily has pursued Master of Arts coursework in Educational Therapy. Her expansive interests include adult services, legal rights, health care equity and access, well as those systems that impact her friends and community, like housing and employment. She is an advocate for those in the cross-disability community, as someone with multiple disabilities, and has strengths in peer mentorship, education, and social justice advocacy.

Heather DiFede, Executive Director for East County SELPA, serves as co-director for the High Quality IEPs project, a resource lead within the Statewide System of Support. Ms. DiFede is the Past Chair of the SELPA Administrators Association for California, and she continues to serve as a co-chair for the CALPADS & Compliance Committee. Through her work, including serving on the IEP Expert Panel, she strives to ensure the active engagement of all team members in the IEP process.

Dr. Jennifer Yales has over twenty-five years of experience in Special Education, from a school psychologist to SELPA Director. Dr. Yales has been a director working within the California Statewide System of Support for the past six years and currently serves as the Executive Consultant for the HQ IEPs project. Dr. Jennifer Yales is a dedicated educator and the parent of a child with autism, bringing both professional expertise and personal experience to her role.

Dr. Hinda Nadif is a dedicated educator with over 22 years of experience in special education. With advanced degrees in Special Education and Transformational Leadership, Dr. Nadif’s diverse background, including roles as a teacher, administrator, and specialist, informs a passionate advocacy for inclusive education and equity for diverse families.

Noreen has been in education for over twenty years. She worked in group homes, taught general and special education, was an Improvement Facilitator with the SIL project, and is currently a Program Administrator for the High Quality IEPs project. As an adoptive foster parent and sibling to a neurodiverse brother, Noreen firmly believes in the potential of ALL children to thrive, advocating as their steadfast champion.

Stephanie Coleman, is an educator with 17+ years' experience as an Education Specialist. Holding a Master's in Special Education, she's also a Part-Time Instructor at CSUS, sharing expertise with aspiring educators. As the Coordinator of Inclusive Practices and Integrated Systems at Sacramento County Office of Education, Stephanie champions instructional strategies fostering inclusivity, belonging, and academic success for all students. Her unwavering commitment to enhancing education for diverse learners profoundly impacts building an inclusive and supportive educational system.

Elizabeth oversees the management of the Desired Results Access Project contract, leading strategic planning and long-term goal setting to enhance the use of the DRDP across California. Since joining the DR Access Team in 2011, she has coordinated research efforts, provided expertise in longitudinal data analysis and psychometrics, and developed reports for teachers and families of young children with disabilities. With over twenty years of experience in research and evaluation focused on early childhood special education, both nationally and within California, Elizabeth remains dedicated to advancing data-driven practices in the field.

Cornelia specializes in developing assessments and data systems that promote equity and improve outcomes for children with and without disabilities. Her work is grounded in implementation science, ensuring that every project leads to practical, actionable improvements. She is passionate about collecting only the data that people can use and helping them apply it to create systems that are more equitable—culturally, linguistically, racially, and for children with disabilities.

In her current role at the Desired Results Access Project, Cornelia leads the development and implementation of a statewide assessment system in California. She manages data systems, conducts in-depth analyses for quality assurance and program improvement, and collaborates with state, district, and program leadership to ensure data supports meaningful decision-making. Her work focuses on designing and refining assessments that align with the diverse needs of children, families, and educators, ensuring equitable and inclusive practices. 

As the Assistant Director of Professional Learning and Leadership Development, Dr. James McKenna leads CCEE's internal and external support for Universal Design for Learning (UDL), including leading the UDL Implementation Learning Network. Over the past decade, Dr. McKenna has supported educators across the state to begin their UDL journey and has designed numerous online learning resources. He also supports CCEE’s direct technical assistance (DTA) efforts, including providing direct support to identified districts and facilitating a learning network of county office staff focused on providing differentiated assistance (DA). 

Dr. McKenna authored “Upskill, Reskill, Thrive!”, the first application of UDL to organizational learning and development, which was featured in the November 24 special issue of the Harvard Business Review. He received a Doctorate in Education Leadership/Education Psychology from the University of Southern California and is certified as a Master Instructional Designer by the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

Heather Fujita, M.A. proudly serving as a Coordinator and Implementation Specialist for the California Coalition for Inclusive Learning (CCIL) with the Placer County Office of Education. She is committed to building strategic partnerships with educators at all levels to advance equitable access to education. Through these collaborations, she supports the effective implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to create inclusive and responsive learning environments. Her ultimate goal is to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education that meets their diverse needs.

As a coordinator, she works alongside teachers, site, district, and county office administrators to embed UDL principles from the classroom to the system level. Additionally, she collaborates with geographical leads and Statewide System of Support partners to strengthen statewide initiatives that foster inclusive practices and build coherence in UDL implementation.
Her 22-year career in special education spans multiple roles, including special education teacher, instructional coach, professional development facilitator, curriculum support specialist, and special education administrator. These experiences have deepened her passion for cultivating sustainable educational systems, enhancing literacy instruction, addressing learner variability, and championing inclusivity to unlock the full potential of every student.

Emily is a Program Specialist and UDL Content Lead for the Placer County SELPA. Her background is in special education teaching and working as a Program Specialist for school districts. She has seen firsthand the amazing learning opportunities that Universal Design for Learning can create for children on school campuses. Emily believes in the importance of supporting learning variability in our children to help them understand their learning diversity and build their confidence and knowledge that all humans learn differently. When not working, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and young children, usually outside doing chores on their small budding homestead.

Karissa is the Director at Redwood Preparatory School in Fortuna, California, which is in Humboldt County. Redwood Prep has been focused on implementing UDL on campus for years now and it is truly part of the school culture. Karissa was born and raised in Fortuna and loves the small community. She enjoys cooking, running, biking, and spending time with her family at the beach, when she's not working.

Heather Green is a dedicated educator with a robust background in Early Childhood Special Education. Currently serving as a Teacher on Special Assignment for Early Childhood, Heather brings over a decade of hands-on experience from her previous role as an inclusive preschool teacher. Her career is marked by a deep commitment to developmentally appropriate practices and a passion for meeting each child where they are. Heather's work is driven by the belief that every child deserves a nurturing environment tailored to their unique needs and strengths. She is particularly passionate about early childhood as the critical entry point for a child’s educational journey, advocating for foundational experiences that set the stage for lifelong learning and success.

Nicole Hosmer is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience in the field. Based in San Diego, Nicole completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego, and obtained a master’s degree from San Diego State University. She currently serves as a Teacher on Special Assignment for Early Childhood within the Poway Unified School District. Nicole is passionate about early childhood interventions, coaching and training staff, and making joy a central goal in the learning process. Her commitment to fostering positive educational environments and supporting both children and educators has been a cornerstone of her career.

Dr. Marla Crowder Silversmith is a pioneering educator and advocate for inclusive special education, currently serving as the Superintendent of Burlingame School District. Her passion for inclusive education is deeply personal, rooted in her experience as a younger sister to an amazing woman with Down Syndrome, whose parents had to fight tremendously just to bring her home from the hospital and secure her right to education.

With over two decades of experience in special education leadership, she has been instrumental in developing innovative inclusion strategies that center student strengths and potential. Her work focuses on dismantling traditional deficit-based models of education, replacing them with holistic, person-centered approaches that recognize each student's unique capabilities.

A respected thought leader, Dr. Silversmith has presented nationally on inclusive educational practices, developed strategic inclusion planning frameworks, and consulted with school districts across the United States. Her doctoral research explored systemic barriers in education and developed collaborative models for meaningful student engagement.

As a sister, mother, wife, educator, and systems change agent, she continues to challenge traditional paradigms and advocate for educational environments where each and every student belongs.

A passionate advocate for inclusion, innovation, and the teaching profession, Principal Matthew Pavao has worked to push his school forward by building a cutting-edge teaching environment that has not only led to exemplary student outcomes but also a positive and accepting culture. In his 11-year tenure at Roosevelt Elementary School in Burlingame, Principal Matthew Pavao has led the school to acknowledgment as a Partnership for 21st Century Learning Exemplar School, a California Gold Ribbon School, and a Title One Academic Achievement School.  Mr. Pavao has also been acknowledged as an Administrative Trailblazer by the Digital Innovation in Learning group. He is currently working with Supporting Inclusive Practices to develop a model school for inclusion. A father of two, Mr. Pavao enjoys reading, playing tennis, going to old movies and the San Francisco Giants.

Sandra is an Improvement Facilitator with the System Improvement Leads Project within the CA Statewide System of Support. She currently works as a coach and facilitator for teams across the state looking to improve outcomes for Students with Disabilities. Prior to this role, she worked as a School Psychologist, MTSS Coordinator and Coordinator of Continuous Improvement. She lives in Chico, CA and loves hiking and traveling.        

Dr. Erik Carter is the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities at Baylor University and Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. His research addresses strategies for supporting inclusion and belonging in schools, workplaces, and congregations for children and adults with disabilities. He has published widely in the areas of educational and transition services, including more than 300 articles, chapters, and other publications. Read more about his work at www.erikwcarter.com/writing and his center at https://bcdd.soe.baylor.edu.

Angie Caster is the Assistant Director of Alignment, Implementation and Measurement at the SWIFT Education Center, Life Span Institute, University of Kansas.  Angie’s personal and professional experiences with students, families, teachers, and administrators, across elementary and secondary settings have set a strong foundation for the work of transforming educational systems.  Angie enjoys working with educators across the system to affect change in the educational landscape. Angie has leadership experiences at the district and state levels and is passionate about ensuring equitable access and instruction to all students through implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Support.

Dr. Erik Carter is the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities at Baylor University and Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. His research addresses strategies for supporting inclusion and belonging in schools, workplaces, and congregations for children and adults with disabilities. He has published widely in the areas of educational and transition services, including more than 300 articles, chapters, and other publications. Read more about his work at www.erikwcarter.com/writing and his center at https://bcdd.soe.baylor.edu.

Melanie Hertig received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Azusa Pacific University in California. She started her career working with young children with disabilities as an early intervention ABA home program provider in the San Gabriel Valley. This experience led her to a career as a School Psychologist where she provided district wide support for assessments in the area of autism as well as determining eligibility for preschool special education. Melanie has held positions as an elementary and preschool School Psychologist, Preschool Special Education Administrator and Special Education Director in Riverside County. After 10 years as the Executive Director-Special Education/SELPA supporting Irvine USD in Orange County, she is now the Co-Executive Director for the California Early Childhood Special Education Network (CalECSE) a California Department of Education funded technical assistance project.

Dr. Rebecca Brooks serves as an Associate Professor for the School of Education and Program Director for the Aspiring Scholars Program (an inclusive post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities) at California State University at San Marcos. Dr. Brooks has worked with individuals with disabilities in recreational, vocational, residential, and educational settings for over 35 years. Prior to her faculty appointment, she served as a special educator in public schools for 16 years, dedicating her career to including students with disabilities in general education settings. Her research and published works have been in the areas of inclusive education, curriculum adaptations, and peer tutoring. She is a nationwide presenter and consultant in the area of effective inclusive schooling practices.

Dr. Allison Jobin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at California State University San Marcos and investigator at the Child and Adolescent Services Research Center (CASRC). She also serves as the Associate Director of the CSUSM Aspiring Scholars Program. She is a licensed psychologist and doctoral-level board certified behavior analyst with over 20 years of clinical and research experience in the delivery, supervision, and training of others in evidence-based practices (EBPs). Her expertise are in the treatment and evaluation of autism and the effective delivery of EBPs in community settings. Prior to joining CSUSM, Dr. Jobin spent many years at Rady Children’s Hospital and UC San Diego in clinical and research roles, where she gained practical experience moving evidence-based practices for autism into the community. Her work has focused on naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions, parent-mediated treatments, and the implementation of evidence-based approaches for autism within inclusive early childhood education programs. Among her current research interests are the examination of factors influencing intervention delivery in routine care, strategies to promote high-quality practices, and adaptations to improve fit within varied contexts.

Dr. Patty Metheny is the Chief Administrative Officer for the East Valley SELPA. She leads the SELPA in providing regional and program specialist services for its member districts that ensure every student receives the necessary services to thrive. Dr. Metheny is a Past Chair of the SELPA Administrators of California Association and served on its Executive Committee for five year. With over 40 years of service in public education, she served as the Director of Student Services for 13 years and spent many years prior to that as a School Psychologist and Teacher. Dr. Metheny is a strong proponent of inclusive practices, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practices and developing strong family-school relationships. Her expertise and interests include parent education, early childhood education, inclusive education, assessment practices, and special education compliance/policies and procedures.

Jennifer Brooksby is East Valley SELPA’s Program Manager for Regional Services. She supports EV SELPA member districts and area Non-Public Schools by providing training, support and technical assistance in compliance, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), child find, assessment procedures, and inclusion. Prior to working for the EV SELPA, she was a medical based ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist, an education-based Speech-Language Pathologist at various California public schools, and Special Education Coordinator for the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District. Jennifer earned a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Idaho State University and a Bachelor’s in Audiology Speech-Language Pathology from Brigham Young University, Provo. Her areas of interest in special education include early childhood education, inclusive practices, ADR to preserve relationships between families and districts, and compliance.

Sofia Sanchez is a Ukrainian-American actress, model, advocate, and TEDx speaker, celebrated for her work in entertainment and inclusion. She gained global attention with her viral video Down Syndrome Is Not Scary and has appeared in the TV series Switched at Birth, films like The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and campaigns for brands such as Old Navy and Target.
A passionate advocate for empowerment, Sofia works closely with organizations like Best Buddies and the National Down Syndrome Society. She is also the author of three picture books published by Scholastic: You Are Enough, You Are Loved, and You Are Brave. Her advocacy earned her the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.
For more information, visit her website sofia-sanchez.com or follow her on Instagram @the.sofia.sanchez.

Dr. Erik Carter is the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities at Baylor University and Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. His research addresses strategies for supporting inclusion and belonging in schools, workplaces, and congregations for children and adults with disabilities. He has published widely in the areas of educational and transition services, including more than 300 articles, chapters, and other publications. Read more about his work at www.erikwcarter.com/writing and his center at https://bcdd.soe.baylor.edu.

Chiara W. Perry, Ed.S., is an experienced educator and administrator with over 25 years in special education, focusing on inclusive program development in PK-12 schools. Her work in Georgia and California has included co-teaching, growth mindset, and roles as a teacher, department chair, instructional coach, director of special education, and lecturer at San Jose State University. Currently, Chiara is the Assistant Director of the California Collaborative for Inclusive Practices and a professor with the Santa Clara County Office of Education's Educator Preparation Program. She is also a professor with the Santa Clara County Office of Education's Educator Preparation Program and a Lecturer with San Jose State University. A Georgia Southern University alumna, she brings expertise in inclusive practices, co-teaching, Universal Design for Learning, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support-MTSS, culturally relevant pedagogy, Social Emotional Learning, behavior support, and equity-focused education. Committed to “All Means All,” Chiara is dedicated to advancing equitable, inclusive educational systems and using improvement science to help districts evaluate their practices.

Dr. Love’s work focuses on implementing UDL principles to design equitable instructional practices that support diverse learners. He emphasizes the integration of evidence-based strategies to remove barriers in education, ensuring students have multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression. His expertise in assistive and instructional technology (AT/IT) helps educators leverage digital tools and accommodations to enhance student learning, access, and independence.

Beth and her husband, John, are parents to four children: Jack, Mary Kate, Patrick, and Caroline. Their third child, Patrick, has Down Syndrome. He was fully included in school and recently graduated from an inclusive college program. Beth has been an educator for over thirty five years and worked for fifteen years for UC Davis in the School of Education with beginning teachers in their Multiple Subject Credential/Masters Program. In the fall of 2020, UC Davis received a TPSID Grant from the US Department of Education and the Redwood SEED Scholars Program began - a four-year, residential, inclusive college program for students with intellectual disabilities. The first cohort of graduates will gradaute in June 2025! Beth works to build what she calls Continuums of Inclusion: communities that offer preschool through college inclusion so that independent adulthood - inclusive living and inclusive employment - and full belonging are possible. With the launch of the UC Davis Redwood SEED Scholars Program, the City of Davis is now one!

Leah Padilla is a Coordinator of Facilitated Improvement and Support for the Open Access project. In this position, her responsibilities include developing and implementing an integrated, coherent system of resources, interventions, and support in the areas of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Continuous Improvement. She previously was Program Specialist at Placer County SELPA, supporting districts, parents, teachers and students with a range of supports. Leah has over 20 years of experience supporting students in a variety of settings as a teacher, in both general and special education. She has expertise in the area of literacy and enjoys teaching prospective teachers in best practices for literacy instruction. Leah loves to develop learner agency and support the ability it gives our learners to be successful on their own terms.

Dr. Laurie Balsano Wright is the Coordinator of Facilitated Improvement and Support at Placer County Office of Education (PCOE). Her essential responsibilities include developing and implementing an integrated, coherent system of resources, interventions, and support in the areas of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Continuous Improvement. Prior to being a Coordinator for PCOE, Laurie was a site principal of a program improvement school within a district identified for Differentiated Assistance, International Baccalaureate Coordinator, Intervention Teacher, facilitator of professional development, and teacher. Laurie brings knowledge and experience from her work at school sites on instructional leadership, student access and engagement, and collaborative practices. She holds a Doctorate in Organizational Innovation from National University. Her impact as a change agent has resulted in sustained performance improvement by strengthening organizational culture and whole systems thinking focused on continuous improvement within the educational setting. Laurie strongly believes in educating the whole child, understanding individual student needs and development, and encouraging staff growth by supporting professional development, building capacity, and facilitating positive change.

Jennifer Wright is a Program Specialist and AAC Content Lead with the Open Access grant. Jennifer’s professional career has been focused on AAC and Assisitive Technology for over 20 years. Her prior experience includes supporting student’s needs with communication across a range of grade spans. Jennifer goes into every situation ready to ignite enthusiasm and build people’s confidence in doing this exciting work. Somehow, Jennifer manages to find the time and energy to be the Club Director for the Auburn Aces Volleyball Club while also figuring out how to adjust to an empty nest.

Michelle earned her Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Special Education at California State University, San Marcos.  She holds credentials in K-12 Special Education: Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe, K-8 Multiple Subjects, Single Subject English, and in Administration.  Michelle was a Special Education teacher for 8 years in Escondido High School District before becoming a Program Specialist for Poway Unified.  Since she has joined PUSD, she has supported multiple schools through Inclusive Practices work and facilitated numerous trainings to staff to continue improving our support of students.  She has supported our State Testing, DRDP, and ELD departments with state-mandated assessment protocols and training. She has also overseeing the Extended School Year program for the last two years. She has been a Program Specialist for 5 years and a Program Specialist II for 2 years. In addition to her work in Poway Unified, she teaches courses at the SDCOE.

Barbara earned her Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Special Education at California State University, San Marcos.  She holds credentials in K-12 Special Education: Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe, and K-8 Multiple Subjects. Barbara has worked in many settings including 2 years at non-public teaching a functional skills high school class, 5 years at a middle school as a co-teacher and special education department chair, and currently serves as a full Inclusion Specialist for Poway Unified School District. Within her current role, she serves as a mentor to the high school inclusion specialists and facilitates numerous trainings for all staff, including general education teachers, special education teachers, paraprofessionals, as well as administrators. Outside of the classroom, she is also a wife and busy mom to three children.

Niki Elliott, PhD serves as director for the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity at University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences. In this role, she leads the development of research projects and professional certificates for PK-12 educators, school counselors, and college faculty. Prior to this appointment, she served for 7 years as the founding director of the Center for Neurodiversity, Learning and Wellness at the University of La Verne. 

A high-energy, spirited, and inspiring teacher educator, Niki has taught students of all ages for more than 30 years. She is a staunch advocate for students whose lived experiences include learning disabilities, mental health diagnoses, foster care placement, and/or racialized marginalization. Her mission is to galvanize an education workforce that establishes trauma-informed, neuroinclusive learning communities where all students and educators thrive. 

Presently, Niki is a sought-after keynote speaker, retreat facilitator, curriculum developer and trainer. Her unique approach to integrating applied educational neuroscience with mind-body nervous system wellness has supported thousands of administrators, educators, and counselors around the world. Educators who have adopted her mind-body approach report significant reductions in expulsion rates for students of color, improvements in classroom climate, and increases in professional well-being. She delivers these teachings through the Heart-Centered Connections curriculum, which offers professional certificates through the University of San Diego. In addition, Niki serves on the teaching faculty and the board of directors for the Polyvagal Institute (PVI). The certificate programs she has developed with PVI have been implemented by school districts, family service agencies, and helping professionals across the U.S. and 13 countries globally.

Niki is a native of Southern California, where she presently resides with her family. She earned a doctorate in Education at UCLA in addition to holistic certifications in yoga, mindfulness meditation, and clinical breathwork. Her greatest joy is found in helping education professionals establish a mind-body connection for improving learning outcomes for students of all ages and abilities.