Director Special Education Division, California Department of Education

Heather Calomese, currently the State Director of Special Education at the California Department of Education, joined the field of Education as a career-changer. Calomese’s early experiences as a graduate student and paraprofessional within the Special Education community had a profound impact on her decision to center students with disabilities as her life-long work. Calomese began her teaching career in Iowa before moving to Chicago to teach in the Chicago Public Schools as a Special Education teacher. Calomese’s pursuit of equity and excellence in education intensified when she transitioned from teaching to administrative roles.Calomese first worked at the Illinois State Board of Education in 2008 as a Corey H. monitor, working with schools that were facing sanctions and/or closure because of persistent Special Education issues. Calomese has also worked as a Special Education Administrator within the Chicago Public Schools and was also the founding Director of Specialized Instruction at Acero Charter Schools. In 2017, Calomese returned to the Illinois State Board of Education where she was the Executive Director of Special Education. In 2019, Calomese accepted the role of Executive Director of Programs. This role focused on the alignment of systems and supports for students receiving Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education services. Calomese has earned a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa, and a M.A. in Special Education from the University of Iowa.

DJ/Entrepreneur

"Hello, I am Teresa Burnett and my stage name is DJ B Diamond. I love people, music and dancing. That's why I'm following my dream of being a DJ. Having Down syndrome has not stopped me from being a confident and very capable adult. Plus, I am supported by my wonderful family.
I’ve been a DJ for three years and have performed at over 60 events.
In my eyes, everyone is equal and included no matter who they are or where they come from.
My goal is finding ways to help the homeless.
I also aspire to be an actress/model.
One quirky fact about me is I am a Foodie!
You can also check me out and follow me on Instagram @djbdiamond7

Co-Coordinator CAPTAIN - Project Coordinator SELPA Content Lead-ASD

Ann England, M.A., CCC-SLP-L is the Project Coordinator of the SELPA Content Lead-ASD in partnership with Marin County SELPA and the California Autism Professional Training And Information Network (CAPTAIN). This five-year grant is part of the Statewide System of Support with the California Department of Education and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence. She provides professional leadership and technical assistance to support SELPAs and LEAs to improve academic and social outcomes, increase successful inclusive education opportunities, and improve post-secondary success for students with ASD and other Developmental Disabilities. Ann also connects with other leaders, consultants, state agencies, and members of the Statewide System of Support to develop and share resources and tools to build capacity and maximize collaborative efforts to improve outcomes for all students with disabilities.

"Co-Coordinator CAPTAIN / Executive Coordinator SELPA Content Lead-ASD

"Patricia Schetter, M.A., BCBA is a board certificated behavior analyst who has worked in public education since 1999 as a Program Specialist, classroom teacher, behavior analyst and provider of behavioral services and teacher training. Schetter came to the UC Davis MIND Institute in 2010 where she is the Coordinator of Autism Education Initiatives for the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Schetter was the co-chair of the Statewide Special Education Task Force Early Learning Workgroup and serves as a member of the Students with Disabilities Statewide Collective. Presently, she coordinates the California Autism Professional Training and Information Network (CAPTAIN), which provides training, coaching and resources in evidence-based practices to educators as part of the Statewide System of Support. She is also an adviser and instructor for the UC Davis Extension Autism Spectrum Disorders Professional Concentration program, an implementation specialist for the Autism Interventions Research - Behavior (AIR – B) Network and a Classroom Pivotal Response trainer and coach.

Senior Partner, Culture Partners

Vince Martinez brings over 25 years of experience in facilitating, training, and business development as well as certification as a Master Trainer in Consultative Selling and Developmental Coaching. He has worked with companies around the world in a wide variety of industries, including the retail, education, IT, nonprofit, and publishing sectors. Vince’s business pedigree includes working as a Director of Training and Sales Effectiveness for Cengage, Director of Training and Sales Systems for Thomson/Cengage Learning, Sales Director for Pearson Sales, and being one of the top sales representatives for Harcourt College Publishing. Having excelled in these roles, Vince is able to relate to individuals, leadership teams, and organizations in a practical and personal way. As a sought after speaker and facilitator, Vince has worked with international audiences in Malaysia, Australia, South America, Europe, and throughout the United States and Canada. Vince is known for his engaging approach, dynamic energy, and captivating style. Vince earned his undergraduate degree from Berklee College of Music with a major in education. A former public school teacher, Vince also has graduate level coursework and teaching experience in all aspects of Organizational Development and Leadership.

Executive Director

Sam Drazin is a certified elementary educator who taught for many years in public schools. Born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare congenital disorder resulting in both facial anomaly and hearing loss, Sam underwent seven surgeries as a child. Sam’s experiences, both as a student with a difference and as a teacher working in an inclusive classroom, helped him recognize the importance of improving awareness of and understanding about differences. Sam serves as the Executive Director of Changing Perspectives, an educational nonprofit that promotes disability awareness, and holds leadership roles on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.

Mobile Behavior Inclusion Team Lead, Soquel Union Elementary School District

Carlo Albano's experience as a veteran teacher has supported his integral work for the Inclusion, Social-Emotional, and Bilingual programs at the public schools he has served. He is passionate in his profession about equity, social justice, and continuing to learn more about behavior. Along with leading the Mobile Behavior Inclusion Team for Soquel Union Elementary School District, Carlo is passionate about spending lots of time outdoors with his family, playing music, and staying devoted to community advocacy through numerous venues for social equity and youth empowerment.

Director of Student Services, Soquel Union Elementary School District

Eric is the Director of Student Services for the Soquel Union Elementary School District. He has been working in public education for 20 years as an Education Specialist, Special Education Principal, Assistant Principal, and School Principal. His main goal is making sure students are included in the least restrictive environment. His main passions outside of family and work are Baseball, exercising, and food

Co-Director, Desired Results Access Project, Napa County Office of Education

Patty Salcedo is Co-Director of the Desired Results Access Project, which developed and supports the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP 2015) statewide assessment for children with Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and collaborates with the Embedded Instruction—California Project. Patty has worked in California’s training and technical assistance systems for twenty years and previously worked in early intervention and early childhood special education. She is the mother of two adult daughters, one of whom has multiple disabilities.

Training Manager, Desired Results Access Project, Napa County Office of Education

Therese Snyder, works for the Desired Results Access Project, Embedded Instruction for Early Learning CA Project, funded by the CDE, Special Education Division in collaboration with the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, University of Florida and the Early Childhood Special Education Statewide Implementation Coach Cadre to support participating coaches and teachers to implement evidence-based professional development strategies related to Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) and effective practices to support inclusion (such as Embedded Instruction for Early Learning, and relevant universal and targeted teaching practices from the Pyramid Model) with preschool children with disabilities in inclusive settings.

Special Education Program Coordinator, Orange Unified School District

Bio Coming Soon

Special Education TOSA, Orange Unified School District

Bio Coming Soon

Lead Classified on Special Assignment - Inclusive Practices, Poway Unified School District

Nancy Brundrett is currently the Lead Classified on Special Assignment support Inclusive Practices for the Poway Unified School District. She spent 19 years as an Instructional Assistant in a variety of settings supporting students with various learning and behavioral challenges. For the past 3 years her work has focused on including students in general education that were previously in segregated settings. Nancy is passionate about improving the lives of students and breaking down the barriers that have been historically marginalized.

Classified on Special Assignment - Inclusive Practices, Poway Unified School District

Alexandra Hatch is part of the Inclusive Practices team at PUSD. She supports paraprofessionals, students, and teachers as the district moves to include more students with disabilities in general education spaces. She is a former teacher, instructional assistant and swim coach. She believes strongly that good communication and ongoing collaboration between paraprofessionals and teachers is vital to student success.

Classified on Special Assignment- Inclusive Practices, Poway Unified School District

Christina Abosamrais currently the Classified on Special Assignment for Poway Unified School District. She has worked in various educational settings over the past decades. Experiencing first hand the dimensions of inclusion in different states and abroad. Christina has spent most of her career advocating for students with disabilities. She continues this work, encouraging change in classroom settings and promoting inclusion for all learners.

Co-Director, Thompson Policy Institute on Disability, Chapman University

Audri M. Gomez, Ph.D., is the Co Director at the Thompson Policy Institute in the Attallah College of Educational Studies at Chapman University. Previous to her current assignment, Dr. Gomez was a special education teacher before becoming a special education administrator. She is currently involved in the California Alliance for Inclusive Schooling, Cal-TASH Legislative and Policy Committee, and California Department of Education’s Improving Special Education Committee. Dr. Gomez focuses her research on inclusive schooling, teacher preparation, professional development, and school culture.

Director and Associate Professor, Thompson Policy Institute on Disability, Chapman University

Dr. Meghan Cosier and Associate Professor and the Director of the Thompson Policy Institute on Disability. She collaborates with schools and school districts across the country to promote and improve special education service delivery models that allow ALL students to learn and play together. Her work focuses on systematic development and implementation of inclusive supports and services, and the role of leadership teams in sustainable school transformation. In addition, Dr. Cosier is extensively involved in teacher development and teacher education for quality inclusive schooling.

Senior Transformation Specialist, Thompson Policy Institute on Disability (TPI), Chapman University

Charlotte Achieng Evensen, Ph.D., will lead CalEPIC as the Senior Transformation Specialist. Dr. Evensen comes to TPI with over 22 years’ experience as a K-12 practitioner. She has served in a variety of roles, including secondary humanities and language arts teacher, district program coordinator, curriculum design, and professional development. In addition to her K-12 experience, Dr. Evensen teaches university courses in educator preparation programs. Her scholarship focuses on the intersections of critical teaching practice, African Indigenous philosophies, and decolonization. Dr. Evensen's scholarship and professional experience position her to fulfill the mission of CalEPIC to design, develop, and deliver innovative supports for educator preparation programs that prepare a diverse and thriving teaching workforce.

Special Education Director, Hollister School District

Gwen Baquiran considers herself as an advocate for ALL students. She started her career as an educator for general education and then special education teacher for various specialized programs before she moved into coaching support for teachers then into administration. She takes a critical role in San Benito County SELPA and Hollister School District in improving the special education system and structures. She has established excellent practices and protocols in place and updated policies to shore up deficiencies including monitoring and addressing CDE compliances. She is highly skilled in facilitated IEP, mediation process and dispute resolution through relationship building and facilitating creative resolutions.
Gwen is a firm believer that all students deserve a level playing field. As part of her work, she conducts training and gives presentations on a range of topics to support all students including evidence-based practices and Positive Behavior Intervention. She also has trained county and district teams in a trainer of trainer’s model for best practices in supporting special education students in an inclusive setting. She has presented in various ACSA conferences such as Leadership Summit and Every Child Counts Symposium on Building Inclusive Practices and Reimagining Therapeutic Programs in Public Schools. Due to implementation of innovative programs and legally defensible practices for special education, she has been recognized as ACSA Region 10 Special Education Director of the Year for 21-22 school year.
As a champion for all students, Gwen believes that with the community support behind her and with the vision of equity and one coherent system at the forefront, nothing can stop her passion and commitment to advance equitable practices for students.

Special Education Coordinator, Hollister School District

Mai is an educator who values service, dedication and excellence. She has been in the field of education for almost 17 years. Her passion in serving students with special needs started when she taught as an inclusion teacher in a high school program. She later on held various teaching positions in Special Education such as a Special Day Class (SDC) teacher and Resource Specialist serving students with mild to moderate disabilities. Her teaching career has been a model of service. Her dedication to inspire and influence others continued to grow when she took on leadership roles such which includes Extended School Year (ESY) Coordinator, Program Specialist, Assistant Principal at a comprehensive middle school and Special Education Coordinator. She is known to have innovative initiatives which includes thematic and multi sensory based summer program, focused support to new teachers through the district and county’s first SPED Bootcamp, conducting professional development to administrators, teachers and support staff, leading inclusive practices in the district through UDL and co-teaching and strong collaboration with different stakeholders.
In her spare time, Mai enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.