Biographies

Andrea Burrell is a passionate and driven educator of 20 years. Throughout her career, she has held several leadership roles in Prince George's County Public Schools, including Special Education Chairperson, Central Office Mentor Teacher, National Board of Professional Teaching Certification Cohort Lead, and Mentor. She is currently a Special Education Instructional Specialist with Prince George’s County Public Schools who develops, facilitates, coaches, and monitors the professional learning of district personnel charged with educating students with disabilities. Andrea is also a certified Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator and yoga instructor who is passionate about the well-being of others.

In addition to being a Nationally Board-Certified Teacher, Andrea holds certifications in special education and school administration. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and her Master's Degree in Teacher Leadership from George Washington University. As a certified Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator and yoga instructor, she actively seeks opportunities to embed wellness practices into the professional learning she shares with educators, students, and families.

Ms. Clark is the parent of a daughter with Autism and has extensive experience working with and training students and families on issues related to transitioning youth, transitioning, and future planning. She coordinates, develops, and manages The Arc's Ready @ 21 Transition Program, preparing youth, parents, and educators to move from school-based services to adult services. Stemming from Ready @ 21, Ms. Clark developed other independent living skills programs such as Ready2BeHealthy, Ready4Money, and Ready4College. In addition, she is the Director of The Benefits Enrollment Center, which assists Prince George's County residents with screening and enrollment assistance for core federal, state, and disability benefits. Prior to working at The Arc, Ms. Clark was the Parent Coordinator of the Partner for Success Parent Center and Parent Coordinator of the Prince George's Community College Children's Developmental Clinic Parent Sessions. She is noted for her parent training on community resources. Ms. Clark is a 2000 graduate of the Maryland Partners in Policy Making leadership training program.

Loleta Dixon has spent over 30 years in the information technology industry working with nonprofits such as NAMI and UNCF. Then left the nonprofit world for a career in government contracting working as a Web Developer, Configuration Manager and Systems Engineer. Loleta received her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems from Hampton University in Hampton, VA and a dual Master’s degree in Business Administration and Technology Management from the University of Phoenix. As a former IT Specialist, she has turned her focus back to the nonprofit world as a different type of specialist – Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) and has been working in that role at the Maryland Coalition of Families for the past three years. A FPSS played a significant role in assisting her with navigating the systems of care while caring for her daughter with significant behavioral health challenges. In turn she decided to do the same for other families, facing the same challenges as she, using her experience as a parent with children that have learning disabilities, mental illness and autism spectrum disorder. Loleta has had a passion for encouraging, empowering and giving support to families of children with disabilities using her personal experiences as a guide. She is supporting families involved with the Department of Juvenile Services and that are caring for a loved one with mental health challenges in Prince George’s County.

Catherine Francoeur has been working at the Professional Library for 17 years. The PGCPS Professional library has professional books and ebooks available to all of our staff. Catherine oversees the databases which are accessible by all of our students and staff. Catherine provides information sessions on how to use them!

Dan Habib is the Director and Producer of the award-winning documentary films Including Samuel, Who Cares About Kelsey?, Mr. Connolly Has ALS and many other films on disability-related topics.

His latest documentary, Intelligent Lives, examines our society’s narrow perceptions of intelligence. The Intelligent Lives project also contains four short films focusing on effective practices in transition for youth with disabilities from high school to higher education and employment.

Habib gave the TEDx talk, “Disabling Segregation” in 2014. He has received the Champion of Human and Civil Rights Award from the National Education Association, and the Justice for All Grassroots Award from the American Association of People with Disabilities. Habib served on President Barack Obama’s President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities from 2014-2017.

Samuel Habib, 22, is a high school graduate and community college student currently pursuing a career as a multimedia storyteller. He interned at the local community access television station in Concord, NH and had a paid job at a video production studio. In 2016, he created a film about disability rights leader Judith Heumann, that was featured in the Breaking Down Barriers Film Festival in Moscow, Russia. Samuel also helped Dan create the nationally broadcast film Mr. Connolly Has ALS. Samuel uses a wheelchair for mobility and a communication device (as well as his voice) to express himself. In addition to exploring his current and future academic and career options, Samuel also navigates significant, chronic health challenges.

Carey Heller, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist and founding partner of Heller Psychology Group in Bethesda, Maryland. He specializes in the evaluation and treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and executive function weaknesses. Dr. Heller often provides a blend of psychotherapy and practical coaching in helping children, adolescents, and adults get better organized, be more efficient, and improve their productivity. He is also involved with Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), serving as the chapter coordinator for the Montgomery County Chapter and as the co-chair of the national Editorial Advisory Board (EAB).

Dr. Sheila Jackson joined Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) in 1987, serving as a daily parent volunteer in her children’s local public schools. She was hired in 1991 as a Parent Facilitator of the Comer School Development Program (SDP), the nation's longest lasting school reform initiative based at Yale University (since 1968), and the school system's primary model for comprehensive school reform and targeted parent/community engagement 1985-2015. She was appointed Director of the Department of Comer SDP and Special Programs in 1998. Since that time, she has served as Director of various departments in PGCPS including Family Services; School Improvement; Family and Community Engagement; and currently Family and School Partnerships.

Dr. Jackson holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia in Biology and M.S. from McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College) in Curriculum, Instruction, Supervision, and Administration. She is certified by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) as an Administrator I and completed her doctoral studies and dissertation focused on Effective Engagement of Middle School Parents and Families to attain her E.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park in May 2016.

Dr. Jackson remains a nationally certified director for the Yale University Child Study Center's Comer SDP Regional Professional Development and Training Center in Prince George's County, in existence since 1994. As a member of Yale University's National Faculty for Comer SDP, she coaches SDP implementation in districts across the United States. She is a highly sought-after local and national consultant on parental engagement, personal development, professional development, team and relationship development, collaborative coaching, collaborative planning, school reform, cultural valuing, community development, and child and adolescent growth and development.

Neal Lichter joined Pathfinders for Autism in October of 2013. Neal is responsible for the daily intake of questions and concerns from parents, caregivers, educators, professionals and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As a trainer, Neal has provided an Understanding of ASD training since 2014. Audiences include students from kindergarten through college, educators, police, first responders, medical personnel, and many others across the state of Maryland. Neal is also responsible for helping to plan many of the workshops that Pathfinders for Autism collaborates on around Maryland. Neal is married, with two sons, one which has Autism.

Dr. Rebecca Resnik is a Licensed Psychologist and founder of Rebecca Resnik and Associates with offices in North Bethesda. Dr. Resnik specializes in neuropsychological testing of children learning difficulties, developmental differences and mood disorders. Prior to earning her doctorate, Dr. Resnik completed a master's in Special Education with a concentration in learning disabilities. Dr. Resnik currently serves as President Elect of the Maryland Psychological Association. Her book, A Family's First Guide to ADHD, was published in 2016. The 2nd edition will be published this year.

Dr. Michael Revell is an Instructional Specialist for the PGCPS Department of Special Education, K-12 Office.

Amanda Schwartz, Ph.D. has supported families of young children with disabilities as a teacher, consultant, researcher, and trainer for over 25 years. Amanda’s work focuses on supporting children with disabilities access high quality services from education, health, and community organizations. As an advocate for individuals with disabilities, family engagement and inclusion are central to her work. She has authored training and materials for early intervention, preschool special education, Head Start, child care, family child care, and home visitors. Her work focuses on building strong relationships between families and professionals in order to promote information sharing, planning, and problem-solving.

Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. founded her company, Guiding Exceptional Parents (www.guidingexceptionalparents.com), to help parents learn how to confidently and effectively help their children with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and other brain-based differences at home, at school, and in the community. She is a certified RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) consultant, parenting coach, and special needs care navigator, and has been deeply involved with local disability support organizations including The Arc of Prince George’s County, the Parents’ Place of Maryland, and the Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee for both Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland. In 2018, she and Penny Williams started a collaboration to create online training resources for families through The Behavior Revolution (www.thebehaviorrevolution.com) with the goal of providing affordable training for everyone.