Our Advisory Board comprises eight accomplished individuals with a variety of expertise in working with students with disabilities. They provide the Access Center with valuable feedback concerning our activities, updates on what is going on in the field, and insightful suggestions for future endeavors.
Joan Baratz-Snowden is the Director of the Educational Issues Department at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). She is also a member of the communication and outreach department of the American Education Research Association. She has extensive experience and publications in issues related to educational school reform, standards and accountability, teacher quality and professional standards.
Fred Brown is the Associate Executive Director for Professional Services at the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). He also serves on the Advisory Board for e-Lead, a leadership development partnership connecting school systems throughout the country.
Don Deshler is Professor and Project Director for the University of Kansas, Center for Research and Learning. His work focuses on enhancing the use of research-based instructional practices to facilitate student outcomes. Specifically, his work centers on Instructional Interventions for at-risk Learners and Learning Strategies.
Sandra Gillins is an educator with 25 years of experience in teaching, assessment, curriculum adaptation, and LEA policy issues. She has worked with the Akron Public Schools in Ohio and has served as an Elementary and Middle School Technical Assistance Center (EMSTAC) Linking Agent. Currently, she serves as an educational consultant to local school districts in Ohio. Ms. Gillins holds a vision that includes success, opportunity, and equity for all students.
Bill Henderson is the Principal of an inclusive school in Boston, Massachusetts and has received many awards for his leadership at the school. He and his staff use innovative methods to support learning and high achievement for children with physical, sensory, cognitive, and emotional disabilities.
Bernetta Harrell-Snell, the parent of a child with cognitive disabilities, has over 10 years of teaching experience and is currently a teacher for the Alliance City School District in Ohio. She served as an EMSTAC Linking Agent to implement scientifically based practices related to academic programs to facilitate access to the curriculum for children with disabilities.
Robert Runkel is the State Director of Special Education for Montana and the former President of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). He is highly noted for his work in local school reform issues, including implementing practices aligned with current research and best practices.
Latrice Seals is the Research Director of Reading Rockets, an OSEP-funded project at WETA. Prior to joining Reading Rockets, Latrice was with the University of Texas’ Center for Academic and Reading Skills in Houston, which is headed by Dr. Barbara R. Foorman. Latrice was the lead researcher on a secondary study, The Vocabulary Enrichment Program, within the NIH-funded grant entitled Early Interventions for Children with Reading Problems. She was also responsible for conducting pre-service and in-service teacher training, as well as providing in-classroom support and mentoring to teachers at research sites in Houston, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
