Equity, Disproportionality and Design

Email:  [email protected]

Website: https://www.stjohns.edu/academics/faculty/samuel-o-ortiz

Dr. Ortiz is Professor of Psychology and Director of Graduate Programs in School Psychology at St. John's University, New York. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Southern California and a credential in school psychology with postdoctoral training in bilingual school psychology from San Diego State University. He has served as Visiting Professor and Research Fellow at Nagoya University, Japan, as Vice President for Professional Affairs of APA Division 16 (School Psychology), as member and Chair of APA’s, Committee on Psychological Tests and Assessment, as member of the Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education, as representative on the New York State Committee of Practitioners on ELL and LEP Students, and as member of APA Presidential Task Force on Educational Disparities. Dr. Ortiz serves or has served on various editorial boards including Journal of School Psychology, School Psychology Quarterly, and Journal of Applied School Psychology and is a member of the Society for the Study of School Psychology (SSSP). Dr. Ortiz has published widely on a range of topics and is a frequent presenter at professional conferences as well as an internationally recognized expert on issues involving nondiscriminatory assessment, evaluation of English learners, Cross-Battery Assessment (XBA), and specific learning disabilities. He is author of the Ortiz Picture Vocabulary Acquisition Test (Ortiz PVAT)—the first test with dual norms designed specifically for English learners and English speakers. He is also primary co-author of the Cross-Battery Assessment Software System (X-BASS v2.0), the Culture-Language Interpretive Matrix (C-LIM), and co-author of the Intervention Library: Finding Resources for Students and Teachers (IL:FIRST v1.0). His books include “Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students: A practical guide,” which is currently under revision, and “Essentials of Cross-Battery Assessment, 3rd Edition.” Dr. Ortiz is bilingual (Spanish) and bicultural (Puerto Rican).

Dr. Ortiz has studied and published on topics that include assessment of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, application of modern intelligence theory in testing through CHC Cross-Battery assessment methods, differentiating cultural and linguistic differences from disorders, and development of the CHC Culture-Language Matrix as a method for determining the primary influence of culture and language on test performance. He recently authored three chapters in NASP's Best Practices IV on nondiscriminatory assessment, contemporary intellectual assessment, and working with culturally and linguistically diverse children and families. Dr. Ortiz is also the author and developer of the WWW School Psychology Homepage, which was the very first site on the internet devoted exclusively to school psychology (published Oct. 1994).

Podcast #1: Andy Cohn 

The United Districts of San Diego is a partnership of sixth and seventh graders from the National School District, Sweetwater School District, and Coronado School District with a goal of raising awareness around the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through local actions. SDG #10 is Reducing Inequalities. 

The United Districts of San Diego collaborated to envision and record this mini-podcast series in an effort to raise awareness around differently-abled people.  

Guest Andy Cohn was born in Tempe, Arizona. At age sixteen, on the way home from school as the passenger in a car, he was involved in an automobile accident. His subsequent injuries included a broken neck and spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic. Andy was part of four medal-winning Paralympic teams, including the gold medal winning team in Beijing 2008. Andy recently published his book, Wither. He lives in Southern California with his wife and son.

In this interview, Andy encourages us to see the person, not the disability. Thank you for helping The United Districts of San Diego with our goal of raising ability awareness, and reducing inequalities, by listening to our interviews.

Podcast #2: Austin Diepenhorst

The United Districts of San Diego is a partnership of sixth and seventh graders from the National School District, Sweetwater School District, and Coronado School District with a goal of raising awareness around the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through local actions. SDG #10 is Reducing Inequalities.

The United Districts of San Diego collaborated to envision and record this mini-podcast series in an effort to raise awareness around differently-abled people.  

Guest Austin Diepenhorst was born in Hawaii, and now lives in Santee, California. Although blind, Austin Diepenhorst is a professional piper. He is the 2016 Sherriff Memorial Champion, second prize in the Professional B-Piobaireachd at the 2019 North American Championships at Maxville, Ontario, and a second prize in the United States Silver Medal at Winter Storm in 2019. Austin studied psychology at Grossmont College and currently works at the Apple Store in Fashion Valley.

In this interview, Austin explains how he is lucky to have been born blind.  Thank you for helping The United Districts of San Diego with our goal of raising ability awareness, and reducing inequalities, by listening to our interviews. 

Podcast #3: Dr. Leighangela Brady 

The United Districts of San Diego is a partnership of sixth and seventh graders from the National School District, Sweetwater School District, and Coronado School District with a goal of raising awareness around the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through local actions. SDG #10 is Reducing Inequalities. 

The United Districts of San Diego collaborated to envision and record this mini-podcast series in an effort to raise awareness around differently-abled people.  

Guest Dr. Leighangela Brady currently serves as the Superintendent of National School District, home to 4,500 preschool through sixth grade students. National School District is focused on contributing to the 2030 United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals by engaging students in actions to build a more sustainable future. Dr. Brady Leighangela Brady earned her Ed.D. in educational leadership from San Diego State University, with both her B.S. and M.A. degrees from the University of Connecticut. She also has ADHD.

In this interview, Leighangela shares how her disability could be perceived as a superpower. Thank you for helping The United Districts of San Diego with our goal of raising ability awareness, and reducing inequalities, by listening to our interviews.

Links

About Heather Calomese

Heather Calomese is the Director of the Special Education Division at the California Department of Education. She joined the field of Education as a career-changer. Calomese’s early experiences as a graduate student and paraprofessional within the Special Education 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.

Get In Touch With Dr. Shree Walker

Other Links

About Our Guest

As a young woman growing up in a poverty-stricken single parent home, Dr. Shree Walker refused to be a victim of circumstance. Being the eldest of six children and the backbone of her family, she has been faced with many obstacles. Without any heroes to look to, she had to become her own. Dr. Walker was determined not to live as a victim or a statistic. Dr. Walker is an author, educator and motivational

speaker who will provide excellent professional development for life learners. She can relate to other survivors through the pain, the courage, the conquering, and the reality that there is a life after the pain.

Dr. Walker is sunshine in a hurricane and came to this planet to change the world.

Dr. Walker is a former Director of Special Education and Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) in Los Angeles County. She formerly served as the Director of Section 504 and Special Populations for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tennessee. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Belmont University and serves on the leadership committee for the Sexual Assault Center, Nashville

Tennessee. Dr. Walker utilizes practical resolutions to support diverse learners and develops policies and procedures to ensure students have improved educational outcomes, educational stability, minimal disruptions, and endless possibilities. She received a Doctorate of Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee State University, Education Specialist of Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State

University, a Master of Special Education from Lipscomb University, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Fisk University. Dr. Walker participated in a Public Education Leadership Project with Harvard University and published her first book, Resilient Walker (2018).

Learn more about the Equity, Disproportionality & Design Project on our website: equityanddesign.com

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Susan Barrett, M.A., Director of the Center for Social Behavior Support, Old Dominion University

Susan Barrett serves as a Director for the Center for Social Behavior Support (CSBS) at Old Dominion University and a Technical Assistance Director with the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). She assists with large-scale implementation of PBIS; partners with researchers to evaluate the impact of PBIS on students, school staff, and school communities; and serves on the Association of Positive Behavior Supports (APBS) Board of Directors. She also co-leads the development of the Interconnected Systems Framework, a mental health and PBIS expansion effort. Susan has been published in the areas of large-scale adoption of PBIS, mental health, cost-benefit analysis, advanced tier system development, and adoption of evidence-based practices in schools.

Dr. Patricia Hershfeldt, Ed.D., Co-Director of the Center for Social Behavior Support, Old Dominion University

Dr. Patricia Hershfeldt is the Co-Director of the Center for Social Behavior Support at Old Dominion University. She also co-chairs the Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS) High School Network that supports high schools with implementation of Multi-Tiered Interventions and Supports (MTSS) with a focus on school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).  Dr. Hershfeldt aims to bridge connections between fellow implementers and researchers. Additionally, she has a strong professional focus on equity and student voice. Dr. Hershfeldt is a former high school special education teacher of 15 years and a mom to 2 daughters.

MORE LINKS

The Equity, Disproportionality & Design team is one of five SELPA Resource Lead agencies. Visit our websites to learn more about how we can help you improve your special education systems:

Learn more about the Equity, Disproportionality & Design Project on our website: equityanddesign.com

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Mara Madrigal-Weiss is the Director of Student Wellness & School Culture, and Foster and Homeless Youth Education Programs with the San Diego County Office of Education. Her experience includes working with school communities as a Family Case Manager, Protective Services Worker and Family Resource Center Director. 

Mara has been dedicated to promoting student mental health and wellness for over 19 years. As a restorative practices tactician and trauma informed trainer she has also dedicated her efforts to building the capacity of schools to provide positive and engaging cultures where students and staff feel safe, respected and valued. For the past five years Mara has led the efforts of her team to enhance mental health literacy and suicide prevention and intervention practices across the county and works closely with the state to streamline resources and promote best practices in the area.   

Mara has presented at workshops across the nation for education and other youth-serving partners. She is a past president of the International Bullying Prevention Association (IBPA) the only international association dedicated to eradicating bullying worldwide. Mara is a member of the California Department of Education’s Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup. At present Mara serves as the designee of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction as a Commissioner on the Mental Health Services Oversight Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), she is the Vice Chair of the Commission, leads the Prevention and Early Intervention project and is a member of the Mental Health in Schools, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health in the Workplace projects of the MHSOAC.

Heather Nemour, MASP, is a Program Specialist, Student Wellness & School Culture for the San Diego County Office of Education. Ms. Nemour supports the 42 school districts and schools across the county and is involved in a variety of countywide and statewide efforts in suicide prevention, mental health & wellness and positive school climate. Previously, Ms. Nemour was instrumental in the development, oversight and sustainability of a network of five school-based Family Resource Centers that support over 70 schools in the South Bay.  She has eight years of experience as an Adjunct Professor teaching sociology courses in the surrounding community colleges and National University. 

Student Wellness and School Culture, San Diego County Office of Education

Student Support Services, San Diego County Office of Education

Mental Health & Wellness Resources by Teens for Teens

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ED&D Website: equityanddesign.com 

The Equity, Disproportionality & Design team is one of five SELPA Resource Lead agencies. Visit our websites to learn more about how we can help you improve your special education systems: 

System Improvement Leads

Imperial County SELPA

Marin County SELPA

Placer County SELPA

The Equity, Disproportionality & Design Project

Dr. Leighangela Brady 

National School District

Leighangela Brady is recognized as a cutting edge leader in educational transformation. She is an author of Transforming Ice Age Schools: A Practical Guide for School Leaders, as well as Test Less, Assess More: A K-8 Guide to Formative Assessment. As a site administrator, educational consultant, and instructional leader, Dr. Brady is passionate about academic excellence, personalized professional development, and effective leadership. Leighangela presents annually at national and international conferences. These experiences have ignited an already sparked interest in transforming today’s schools and helped to further develop her reputation as an educational trailblazer. Currently working as the Superintendent of National School District, her favorite time is spent visiting classrooms and witnessing innovative education in action. She has served as an assistant superintendent of educational services, a principal of a K-6 elementary school, in various support and coaching roles, as well as a successful classroom teacher. Now living in San Diego, Dr. Brady earned her Ed.D. in educational leadership from San Diego State University, with both her B.S. and M.A. degrees from the University of Connecticut. Leighangela is a wife and mother, and plans to retire one day at her home in the Fiji Islands.

We hit ten episodes! On this special episode, we get to introduce our newest teammate, Dr. Erin Mahoney. 

Dr. Erin Mahoney is an Executive Consultant with the Equity, Disproportionality, and Design team at the South County SELPA. She has fourteen years’ of experience in education serving students as a Special Education teacher, Academic Coach, Associate Principal, and Principal. Her leadership experience includes mentoring principals, collaborating with Cabinet leadership, and developing and facilitating professional learning at the site, cohort, and district level. Erin recently graduated from San Diego State University with her Doctorate in Education Leadership with her dissertation focus on social emotional learning. In this new role she will be ensuring equity for students in Special Education and all students through her work supporting instruction within MTSS and Universal Design for Learning.

NCUST 

Equity, Disproportionality, & Design 

Register for the training with NCUST

Links

Dr. Francisco Escobedo has been an educator the better part of 30 years.  Since 2010, he is the Superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD).  Located in southern San Diego County, the District’s 46 schools serve over 29,400 students.  In 2019, the Learning Policy Institute identified CVESD was one of seven “California Positive Outlier” districts for its superior academic scores.  Dr. Escobedo is past president of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; member of the Board of Directors for West Ed Advisory Board, California Collaborative for Education Excellence, the local YMCA, and for Classroom of the Future Foundation; and a Rotarian.  He was selected as 2019 Superintendent of the Year for ACSA Region 18.

During his tenure at CVESD, he initiated a health initiative that led to a dramatic decrease in student obesity trends.  As a result, the District became the first to receive the San Diego County “Live Well” certificate and was recognized by the American Heart Association.  Partnered with the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory, he initiated the Community Opus Project, which was the beginning in bringing music education back into classrooms.  These efforts resulted in the District’s recognition as a 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award.  Under Dr. Escobedo’s leadership, CVESD received the distinguished Multiple Pathways to Biliteracy District Award for its implementation of 22 Dual Immersion Schools and Exemplary District of the Year Award 2018.  He received the Rindone Educator of the Year Award in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019; and California State Assembly’s 80th District Latino Leader Award in 2016.  Recently he earned the 2020 Ronald Edmund Award for leadership in Urban Education.  Lately CVESD received a 2021 NAMM Foundation Best Community for Music Education Award in recognition of efforts to make music part of a well-rounded education.

Dr. Escobedo’s experience includes working as Assistant Superintendent for Educational Leadership in the South Bay Union School District and Principal Research Analyst for American Institutes for Research.  Since 2001, Dr. Escobedo has served as adjunct professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University (SDSU) and is currently a member of the doctoral faculty.  He earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University; M.A. degree from SDSU; and Ed.D. from the University of California, San Diego, and SDSU.

Acknowledgements

We want to acknowledge the CA Department of Education (CDE) and the CA Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) for awarding the SELPA Content Lead grants. The ED&D podcast is funded through the Content Lead grant and enables our team to share the critical work of educators, with a broad audience across the state.

Thank you to our listeners for sharing this conversation with us. Join us at our next ED&D episode as we continue the journey of interviewing professionals who possess a passion for building equitable educational services for all students.