Area Representatives
Providence:
Jennifer F. Connolly, PhD - Executive Director of Specialized Instruction & Exceptional Student Services Providence School Department797 Westminster StreetProvidence, RI 02903 jennifer.connolly@providenceschools.orgJen Connolly began her career in 1995 working in the homes of students and adults with autism in Queens, NY. She began teaching in special education in 1998, and has taught in a variety of special education classrooms in New York City, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She earner her master's degree in special education from Queens College and her PhD in Education from RIC/URI. Jen began as a special education director in 2013 at Beacon Charter High School, and worked as the Special Education Director for Warwick Public Schools from 2014 until 2021, when she began in Providence. Jen has been a lifelong advocate for students with disabilities, serving as an appointed member of the RI Special Education Advisory Committee, as an adjunct special education professor for the University of Rhode Island and publishing in Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, the Journal of Special Education Leadership, and the Journal of Disability Policy Studies.
East Bay: Candace Andrade: Director of Student Services Newport School Department 15 Wickham Road Newport, RI 02840candaceandrade@npsri.net
Candace Andrade is the Director of Student Services in Newport. Previously she was a Special Education Program Coordinator in East Providence, Assistant Director in Newport County Regional, and the Director of Pupil Personnel Services in Burrillville. Ms. Andrade holds a Masters Degree in Special Education and has been an educator for more than 20 years.
Candace Andrade is the Director of Student Services in Newport. Previously she was a Special Education Program Coordinator in East Providence, Assistant Director in Newport County Regional, and the Director of Pupil Personnel Services in Burrillville. Ms. Andrade holds a Masters Degree in Special Education and has been an educator for more than 20 years.
Northern: Eileen E. Crudele, M.Ed.: Director of Special Education Smithfield School Department49 Farnum pikeSmithfield, RI 02917ecrudele@smithfield-ps.org
Eileen Crudele has been the Director of Special Education for the Smithfield Public Schools since 2015. Previously, she was the Director of Pupil Services in East Providence and Director of Special Education in Pawtucket, where she also served as the assistant director. She received her undergraduate degree in special and elementary education from Rhode Island College and a Master's Degree in Special Education from Providence College. Eileen has been a member of ARIASE since 2004 and has been an area representative for the East Bay Region before becoming an area representative for the Northern Region. She also is a member of the mentor subcommittee.
Eileen Crudele has been the Director of Special Education for the Smithfield Public Schools since 2015. Previously, she was the Director of Pupil Services in East Providence and Director of Special Education in Pawtucket, where she also served as the assistant director. She received her undergraduate degree in special and elementary education from Rhode Island College and a Master's Degree in Special Education from Providence College. Eileen has been a member of ARIASE since 2004 and has been an area representative for the East Bay Region before becoming an area representative for the Northern Region. She also is a member of the mentor subcommittee.
West Bay: Michele Simpson Executive Director of Special Education Cranston Public Schools845 Park AveCranston, RI 02910msimpson@cpsed.net
Michele Simpson is the Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Cranston Public Schools, a position she has held since 2014. However, Michele’s journey as an educator started in 1988 as an special education teacher at Bradley Hospital and Trudeau Memorial Center in Warwick, where she assisted in the development of the Crayons program which focused on inclusive early childhood care and education. In 1994, Michele began working in Coventry Public Schools then transitioned to Cranston Public Schools. It was in 2003 that her career turned to an administration role, where she was asked to take on a newly-created position as the Director of Early Childhood which eventually turned into the creation of Cranston’s Early Childhood Center. As the Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services, she focused on developing a relationship between the national Project SEARCH program and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island instituting full-day kindergarten programming district-wide. As time has gone on, Michele’s position has expanded even further, she now oversees the district’s Project AWARE program, created Cranston’s own Crisis Mobile Unit, and Signs of Suicide training for all employees. She received her undergraduate degree in special and elementary education from Rhode Island College and a Master's Degree in Special Education from Providence College. Michele has been a member of ARIASE since 2003 and has been an area representative for the West Bay Region.
Michele Simpson is the Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Cranston Public Schools, a position she has held since 2014. However, Michele’s journey as an educator started in 1988 as an special education teacher at Bradley Hospital and Trudeau Memorial Center in Warwick, where she assisted in the development of the Crayons program which focused on inclusive early childhood care and education. In 1994, Michele began working in Coventry Public Schools then transitioned to Cranston Public Schools. It was in 2003 that her career turned to an administration role, where she was asked to take on a newly-created position as the Director of Early Childhood which eventually turned into the creation of Cranston’s Early Childhood Center. As the Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services, she focused on developing a relationship between the national Project SEARCH program and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island instituting full-day kindergarten programming district-wide. As time has gone on, Michele’s position has expanded even further, she now oversees the district’s Project AWARE program, created Cranston’s own Crisis Mobile Unit, and Signs of Suicide training for all employees. She received her undergraduate degree in special and elementary education from Rhode Island College and a Master's Degree in Special Education from Providence College. Michele has been a member of ARIASE since 2003 and has been an area representative for the West Bay Region.
Southern: Erica B. Dickson: Director of Special Education, Jamestown School Department76 Melrose Ave Jamestown, RI 02835dickson.erica@jamestownschools.org
Erica is a third generation educator who has worked in the field of education since 1995. She earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UCONN and her second Masters Degree in School Administration from URI. She has worked as a special education teacher, elementary assistant principal and special education supervisor for the Providence Public School Department. She is currently the Director of Student Services for the Jamestown School Department.
Erica is a third generation educator who has worked in the field of education since 1995. She earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UCONN and her second Masters Degree in School Administration from URI. She has worked as a special education teacher, elementary assistant principal and special education supervisor for the Providence Public School Department. She is currently the Director of Student Services for the Jamestown School Department.
RIAPSES: Leslie Brow: Executive Director of Educational Programs at Sargent Center 800 Quaker LaneWarwick, RI 02818lbrow@sargentcenter.org
Leslie K. Brow is currently the Executive Vice President of The Sargent Rehabilitation Center, Warwick R.I. Previously Leslie worked as the Director of Student Services in Narragansett and as the Assistant Director for Newport County Regional. Leslie continues to advocate for students with special needs. She currently serves as the President of the Rhode Island Association of Private Special Education Schools (RIAPSES) Leslie is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership through Johnson & Wales University.
Leslie K. Brow is currently the Executive Vice President of The Sargent Rehabilitation Center, Warwick R.I. Previously Leslie worked as the Director of Student Services in Narragansett and as the Assistant Director for Newport County Regional. Leslie continues to advocate for students with special needs. She currently serves as the President of the Rhode Island Association of Private Special Education Schools (RIAPSES) Leslie is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership through Johnson & Wales University.
Charter Schools: Mary Pendergast: Director of Special Education at Rhode Island School for the DeafOne Corliss Park Providence, RI 02908mpendergast@rideaf.net
Check back later for Mary's bio
Check back later for Mary's bio