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Providence:
Julie Lombardi - Executive Director Providence School Department797 Westminster StreetProvidence, RI 02903 Julie.Lombardi@ppsd.orgJulie Lombardi has dedicated 27 years to the Providence Public School District. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Student Supports. Her previous roles include Secondary Manager for Special Education, Special Education Intervention Specialist, and Special Education Teacher. These positions have provided her with invaluable, first-hand experience and have helped her cultivate strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. Additionally, Julie oversees the Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Department as well as serves on the District Behavioral Support Committee.
East Bay: Mark Biancuzzo: Assistant Director of Student Services Barrington School Department283 County RoadBarrington, RI 02806biancuzzom@barringtonschools.org
Mark is a second generation educator who has worked in the field of education since 2000. He earned a Masters Degree in Education from Providence College. He has worked as a special education teacher for The Bradley School - Portsmouth, Newport, Tiverton, and Barrington School Departments. He is currently the Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel for the Barrington School Department.
Mark is a second generation educator who has worked in the field of education since 2000. He earned a Masters Degree in Education from Providence College. He has worked as a special education teacher for The Bradley School - Portsmouth, Newport, Tiverton, and Barrington School Departments. He is currently the Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel for the Barrington School Department.
Northern: Alicia DeStefani Director of Special EducationCumberland School Department2606 Mendon RoadCumberland, RI 02864alicia.destefani@cumberlandschools.org
Alicia DeStefani has been a dedicated member of the Cumberland School Department for nearly two decades, beginning her career in August 2004. She spent 14 years as a special education teacher, where she worked with students across a wide range of grade levels and learning needs and developed a strong foundation in individualized, student-centered instruction.
After leaving the classroom, Alicia served as a Special Education Coordinator for five years, supporting staff, students, and families while strengthening special education programming across multiple buildings. In this role, she collaborated closely with educators, related service providers, and administrators to ensure high-quality services, compliance, and positive outcomes for students.
Her education, experience, passion, and vision for empowering students naturally led her to the role of Director of Special Services in Cumberland, a position she is now in her third year. As Director, Alicia is committed to fostering inclusive practices, supporting staff through collaborative problem-solving, and building strong partnerships with families to meet the diverse needs of learners.
Alicia holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, with certifications in Grades 1–6 and Special Education Mild/Moderate (K–8). She also holds Administrator Certification as both a District-Level Administrator in Special Education and a Building-Level Administrator (PK–12).
Outside of school, Alicia has been married for 18 years and is the proud parent of two children: CJ, age 13 and currently in Grade 8, and Julia, age 16, who is in Grade 11.
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: Suzanne Rathbun: Vice President of School Services at Strides Academy160 Orchard StreetEast Providence, RI 02914srathbun@stridesbehavioral.com
Suzanne received both her undergraduate degree in Special Education and Secondary Education and Masters of Education and Administration of Special Education from Providence College. She worked as a special education teacher in Pawtucket for over 18 years and a special education administrator for 20 years. She has served on various committees including the mentorship program at RIDE and taught at both CCRI and Salve Regina before becoming the Vice President of Strides Academy.In her current role, Suzanne is responsible for ensuring the school runs smoothly, including but not limited to screening all new referrals as well as maintaining and overseeing all special education records. She manages the school staff and works collaboratively to make Strides Academy an outstanding out placement school. She loves spending time with the students and is known fondly to be “Chief”. In her spare time Suzanne loves spending time with her husband and family. Her happy place is the beach, second to Strides of course!
Suzanne received both her undergraduate degree in Special Education and Secondary Education and Masters of Education and Administration of Special Education from Providence College. She worked as a special education teacher in Pawtucket for over 18 years and a special education administrator for 20 years. She has served on various committees including the mentorship program at RIDE and taught at both CCRI and Salve Regina before becoming the Vice President of Strides Academy.In her current role, Suzanne is responsible for ensuring the school runs smoothly, including but not limited to screening all new referrals as well as maintaining and overseeing all special education records. She manages the school staff and works collaboratively to make Strides Academy an outstanding out placement school. She loves spending time with the students and is known fondly to be “Chief”. In her spare time Suzanne loves spending time with her husband and family. Her happy place is the beach, second to Strides of course!
Charter Schools: Mary Pendergast: Director of Special Education at Rhode Island School for the DeafOne Corliss Park Providence, RI 02908mpendergast@rideaf.net
Mary Pendergast has been the Director of Special Education/Student Services for the RI School for the Deaf Schools since 2009. Previously and concurrently, she was the Director of Special Education at several charter schools including the International Charter School, Kingston Hill Academy and Segue Institute for Learning. Previously she worked at the Groden Center in various positions starting in 1988. She received her undergraduate degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish from Providence College and a Master Degree in Special Education from RI College. Mary has been a member of ARIASE since 2009 and has been an area representative for the Charter and State Schools intermittently since 2015. She has served on various subcommittees and work groups during her time as a member of ARIASE.
Mary Pendergast has been the Director of Special Education/Student Services for the RI School for the Deaf Schools since 2009. Previously and concurrently, she was the Director of Special Education at several charter schools including the International Charter School, Kingston Hill Academy and Segue Institute for Learning. Previously she worked at the Groden Center in various positions starting in 1988. She received her undergraduate degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish from Providence College and a Master Degree in Special Education from RI College. Mary has been a member of ARIASE since 2009 and has been an area representative for the Charter and State Schools intermittently since 2015. She has served on various subcommittees and work groups during her time as a member of ARIASE.
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