Melissa is an inclusion and equity advocate for historically underserved populations in NYC charter schools. As the Vice President, Inclusive Education, she leads the Collaborative for Inclusive Education, ensuring that schools have access to the essential supports, trainings, resources and technical assistance necessary to ensure the success of all of their students. In her advocacy work, she participates in special education and MLL/ELL citywide coalitions, serves as a delegate in NYCPS advisory councils and working groups, and represents New York City at the national level for special populations support organizations. Prior to joining the Collaborative, she worked as a French dual language teacher and an ESL teacher within the NYC DOE. During her time in the classroom, she strived to provide equity and access for all her students through culturally relevant pedagogy and research-based language supports. Melissa holds B.A.s from Trinity College (Hartford) in French, Spanish and English, earned her M.S. in TESOL as a Teach For America corps member from Fordham University, and her M.S. in Educational Leadership from Hunter College.
