JOURNEY TO INCLUSION

What is Inclusion? What does it look like? How can I make it happen for my students or child? Understanding inclusion is not easy and making it happen is even more complex. This series of presentations by teachers, parents, and national speakers will help you understand what inclusion is, the different elements that make it successful, and how to make it happen. It is presented in a series of presentations because this topic is complex and a process. School staff, parents, and anyone interested in improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities are welcome to attend.
Service Coordination
5303 Spectrum Drive, Suite I
Frederick, MD 21703
(Near the Francis Scott Key Mall)
Enter through the back door!
From I-70, take MD-355 S (Exit 54)
Turn Right onto New Technology Way
Left onto Spectrum Drive
From I-270 take MD-85 N (Exit 31A)
Turn right onto Spectrum Drive

*All Workshops are free, but you must be registered to attend! Seating is limited so register early!
To Register Contact: Lynne Pattison by email lspattison@adelphia.net or at 301-668-1390
Funded and Supported by:
Family Networks, a project of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration ~ Western Maryland Regional Office
Frederick County Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee
Service Coordination
Presenters for our “Journey to Inclusion”
Catriona Johnson, MS, is a Public Policy Analyst with the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), a nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Through training and technical assistance, legal support, and legislative advocacy, NDRN works to create a society in which people with disabilities are afforded equality of opportunity and are able to fully participate by exercising choice and self-determination. Prior to joining NDRN, Catriona spent a year as a Kennedy Foundation Fellow on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, where she worked on Medicaid and disability issues. Prior to that, Catriona spent five years as the Director of Public Policy Initiatives at the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council with responsibility for tracking state legislation and working on policy, programs, and grants related to children’s and families’ issues. Prior positions include Director of Training and Development at The Arc of Maryland, where she directed the Partners in Policymaking Program, and Director of Development at the Empower Program, a nonprofit organization working with children and youth to reduce gender-based violence. Catriona is also the parent of a child with autism and the past president of the Howard County Autism Society of America.
Jessica Pearsall is currently a member of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Parent Advisory Council where she evaluates current policies and procedures regarding parents’ rights and roles in student achievement. As the Chairperson of the Arc of Howard County Education Committee & the Parent Support Resources Networks she develops educational forums for parents and professionals to improve the quality of inclusive education. She is a past Director of the Partners in Policymaking program and Education Advocacy for the Arc of Maryland. She has four children, two of which have disabilities and are fully included in Howard County Public Schools.
Carol Tashie was trained as both a general educator and a special educator and worked for many years teaching children with and without disabilities in a variety of school settings. In 1987, Carol became one of New Hampshire’s first inclusion facilitators, and worked in a small community to support students with labels of significant disabilities to become full members of general education classes. For thirteen years, from 1989 to 2002, Carol worked at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability. There she worked with schools, families, and students to create inclusive classrooms, schools and districts, with specific emphasis on high school inclusion, inclusion of students with autisms labels, inclusive education at the college level, and friendship. Carol taught classes at UNH on inclusive practices and the facilitation of social relationship and worked on projects in personnel preparation, systems change, model demonstration, and professional development. She is the co-author of several books; Seeing the Charade; What We Need to Do and Undo to Make Friendships Happen; Petroglyphs: The Writing on the Wall; From Special to Regular, From Ordinary to Extraordinary; Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes: The Role of the Inclusion Facilitator; Lighter Side of IEP’s; Dare to Dream; Treasures: The Vision of Inclusion. She has also written many chapters and articles on inclusive education, friendship, and youth leadership. She currently works with local and national justice organizations to envision and support inclusive, just and equitable communities for all people of the world.
Carol Quirk, Director of Professional Development Services, is one of the founders of the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education. After serving as Board President for its first 3 years, she joined the staff in 1990. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Connecticut, and her Doctor of Education Degree from the Johns Hopkins University. Prior to coming to MCIE, Carol was Executive Director of an adult services agency in Baltimore City; a Consultant to Philadelphia Public Schools; a Director of Technical Assistance Services to Early Intervention programs in North Carolina; and a special education teacher in Connecticut.