EXCELLENCE TOGETHER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor at California State University, Northridge
Preparing teachers in the US and around the world for inclusive and collaborative practices that benefit all students, with an additional emphasis on strategies that provide students with disabilities access to meaningful instruction in the context of general education settings. Dr. Hanreddy has published scholarly and applied works related to inclusive education, communication supports for students with significant support needs, and school-university collaboration.
Rachel started her work in inclusive education as a general education teacher at the award-winning CHIME Charter School. Rachel has also worked supporting teachers and students of LAUSD to meaningfully address the needs of students requiring behavioral intervention. Rachel has been a school leader at WISH since 2014, and the Director of Special Services since 2016, supporting teachers, paraeducators, and students to create engaging inclusive learning experiences for students of all ages and abilities.
Job Titles:
- WISH Communications & Development Director
Creating stories for more than 20 years for some of the world's most iconic brands, including HP, Samsung, Adidas, Sony, and Ford, that get the world talking and drive business results.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor at California State University Northridge
Dr. Toews's research focuses on instructional practices that support students with extensive support to access academic instruction in general education classrooms and professional development strategies that help teachers implement inclusive practices. Before becoming a university professor, Dr. Toews was a special education teacher at WISH Elementary School.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, WISH Commnunity and Academy Schools TK - 12
As an LAUSD teacher, founding teacher of CHIME Charter School, and the founding principal of WISH Charter elementary school, Dr. Draxton's work has made her well versed in creating effective, student-centered, and teacher-supported macro systems within TK-12 educational settings. As a founding team member of all three WISH schools, Dr. Draxton collaborated with a group of passionate teachers, incredible parents, inspiring educators, and engaged community members committed to a high-quality education that serves ALL students in inclusive, socially just classrooms that embrace diversity, including students identified as being highly gifted and students who have various disabilities.
Job Titles:
- Professor of Education at Loyola Marymount Univerity, School of Education
Bringing more than 30 years of experience focused on special educators' research and professional development to meet a multicultural society's needs.