Antoinette S. Mitchell, Ph.D. is the Interim State Superintendent of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), which is the state education agency for the District of Columbia. Prior to serving as interim, Dr. Mitchell was the Assistant Superintendent of Postsecondary and Career Education. In that role, she oversaw college readiness and financial assistance, adult literacy and youth reengagement, and career and technical education.

Dr. Mitchell previously served as dean of the School of Education at Trinity Washington University. Prior to her work at Trinity, she was the vice president for unit accreditation with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Dr. Mitchell has also served as a research associate in the Education Policy Center at the Urban Institute, a non-profit research group in Washington, DC. She began her career as a secondary social studies teacher at Hine Jr. High School in Washington, DC. She currently serves as a DC College Access Program board member, a member of the DC Workforce Investment Council and commissioner on the DC Serve Board. Dr. Mitchell holds a doctorate and master’s degree in education from the University of California, Berkeley. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia College, Columbia University. She is a former Holmes Group Scholar and Institute for Educational Leadership Fellow.

Elizabeth Ross serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning (TAL) at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Directly prior, Elizabeth served as the Deputy Assistant Superintendent in TAL. In her role, Elizabeth is incredibly proud to lead OSSE’s Advancing Excellence work, which is designed to ensure that all DC students have the opportunity to excel by setting high standards, providing robust supports for educators and holding schools and school systems accountable. In recent years, this work has included drafting and implementing DC’s first Educator Preparation Approval regulations; publishing DC’s first comprehensive Educator Workforce Report; developing a new, one-year provisional teacher credential; supporting the launch of a state-of-the-art Educator Credentialing Information System (ECIS); leading a comprehensive re-write of Washington DC’s K-12 Social Studies standards and developing DC’s first citywide Financial Literacy standards and Social and Emotional Learning standards; and supporting DC’s Early Literacy Education Task Force to a consensus set of recommendations, which are currently being implemented by DC local education agencies (LEAs). 

Prior to joining the OSSE team, Elizabeth served as the Vice President and Managing Director of Teacher Policy at the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), where she oversaw state research and policy and led technical assistance to support states’ efforts to ensure that every student has effective teachers and every teacher has the opportunity to become effective. Before her time at NCTQ, Elizabeth worked at the US Department of Education on myriad equity-focused teacher quality initiatives and policies, including: Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Flexibility, Excellent Educators for All, and regulations and guidance to support the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program, and Titles I and II of the ESEA, as amended.  

Elizabeth began her career as a third-grade teacher at Simon Elementary School in Washington, DC. She holds a B.A. from Georgetown University, where she studied English Literature and Government; an M.A.T. from American University in Elementary Education; a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law, where she was a public interest scholar; and an Ed.M. from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, where she was a Zuckerman Fellow. Elizabeth also teaches US Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing at Georgetown University Law Center and Education Law and Policy at American University. 

Antoinette S. Mitchell, Ph.D. is the Interim State Superintendent of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), which is the state education agency for the District of Columbia. Prior to serving as interim, Dr. Mitchell was the Assistant Superintendent of Postsecondary and Career Education. In that role, she oversaw college readiness and financial assistance, adult literacy and youth reengagement, and career and technical education.

Dr. Mitchell previously served as dean of the School of Education at Trinity Washington University. Prior to her work at Trinity, she was the vice president for unit accreditation with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Dr. Mitchell has also served as a research associate in the Education Policy Center at the Urban Institute, a non-profit research group in Washington, DC. She began her career as a secondary social studies teacher at Hine Jr. High School in Washington, DC. She currently serves as a DC College Access Program board member, a member of the DC Workforce Investment Council and commissioner on the DC Serve Board. Dr. Mitchell holds a doctorate and master’s degree in education from the University of California, Berkeley. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia College, Columbia University. She is a former Holmes Group Scholar and Institute for Educational Leadership Fellow.

Dr. Chimere J. Jones as a background in academic affairs, regulatory affairs, curriculum development, and college and career readiness that spans 20+ years. Chimere’s professional and research interests include educational access initiatives, pre-collegiate preparation for college and careers, and postsecondary student retention and completion. Chimere currently serves as Director of Policy in Planning in OSSE’s Postsecondary and Career Education Division. 

Prior to that, she led academic affairs and compliance initiatives for international and domestic universities. She began her academic career working in K-12 compliance. In her past roles, Chimere collaborated with academic affairs units, deans, associate deans, program chairs and other leadership personnel to support ongoing compliance, accreditation, federal, and state standards initiatives. She has also provided consultation on the continuous quality improvement processes for course, program level, and instructional design quality assurance evaluations. 

Chimere is a graduate of Benedictine University (EdD in Higher Education and Organizational Change), Trinity Washington University (MSA in Organizational Management), George Mason University (Project Management Certificate), and Trinity College (BA in International Studies).

Jason A. Andrews, EdD is the superintendent of Windsor Central School District and the 2019 Superintendent of the Year. Previously, he served as a high school teacher, coach, cocurricular adviser, and middle school principal. Jason serves as an associate for SolutionTree.

Dr. Brandan Persaud is the Director of Integrated Special Education at Rocketship Public Schools, where he coaches school leaders and ensures special education compliance. Previously, he was the Assistant Director of Student Support Services at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, overseeing the middle school special education program. Dr. Persaud began his career as a high school special education teacher in Chicago. His research interests include: educational equity, culturally responsive teaching, antiracist practices, and teacher mindset. He holds a doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership, specializing in early literacy, and serves as an adjunct professor at American University and Relay Graduate School of Education.

LaShonda Wilson Carter is a results-driven education specialist with 15 years of experience monitoring and providing technical assistance and training to local and state government agencies. She is a passionate advocate and practitioner in the field of special education. Her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments has supported improved outcomes for students with disabilities (SWDs) in the District. Mrs. Wilson Carter currently serves as an Education Program Specialist at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in Washington, D.C. She also serves as the Secondary Transition State Lead for the State Interagency Secondary Transition Team. LaShonda Wilson Carter holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Regent University and an Administrative Services Credential (Education and Supervision Licensure) in the District of Columbia to better serve students' needs.

Dr. Beth Clavenna-Deane has 30+ years of experience in education, specializing in team collaboration, data-driven decisions, and implementing evidence-based instructional practices. Her expertise focuses on building sustainable Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in LEAs and improving post-school outcomes for students with disabilities through quality transition planning. 

Jennifer Carpenter currently serves as Senior Director, Inclusive Instruction and Programming, for DC Public Schools.  She has worked in education for 18 years and will soon celebrate her 10-year anniversary serving DC students. Jennifer's work focuses developing district-level systems that build the capacity of district and school leaders and teachers to effectively serve ALL students, including and especially those receiving special education services. 

Jessica Bibb currently serves as a Manager of Special Education Inclusion for DC Public Schools. She has worked in public education for 14 years in both gifted education programming and special education programming. Jessica’s work focuses on the design and implementation of specially designed instruction in order to implement IEPs.

An accomplished leader in special education, she has over 20 years of experience dedicated to improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Through SPEDucator Solutions LLC, she provides consulting services focused on inclusive practices, leadership development, and instructional support. She supported teacher and leader development as Associate Dean of Special Education at Relay Graduate School of Education in Washington, DC. Previously, she held key roles at Friendship Public Charter School and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, where she drove compliance, program innovation, and data-driven solutions to empower students with disabilities for academic and personal success. 

As an inclusive leadership consultant, Erin Larkin-Maguire collaborates with leadership teams across all levels of the education landscape (state, Local Education Agency, Charter Management Organization, higher-ed, nonprofit, school) to make decisions, develop strategy, and improve systems that drive outcomes for students with disabilities. Before becoming a consultant, Erin was the inaugural Dean of Special Education at the Relay Graduate School of Education and, ultimately, the Senior Dean of Academic Programs, where she launched and scaled cutting-edge teacher and leader preparation programs to ensure that all educators were prepared to meet the needs of students with disabilities and that special education teachers and leaders were truly prepared with specialized skills to accelerate student growth.

Dr. Brandan Persaud is the Director of Integrated Special Education at Rocketship Public Schools, where he coaches school leaders and ensures special education compliance. Previously, he was the Assistant Director of Student Support Services at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, overseeing the middle school special education program. Dr. Persaud began his career as a high school special education teacher in Chicago. His research interests include: educational equity, culturally responsive teaching, antiracist practices, and teacher mindset. He holds a doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership, specializing in early literacy, and serves as an adjunct professor at American University and Relay Graduate School of Education.

Jason A. Andrews, EdD is the superintendent of Windsor Central School District and the 2019 Superintendent of the Year. Previously, he served as a high school teacher, coach, cocurricular adviser, and middle school principal. Jason serves as an associate for SolutionTree.

Jennifer Carpenter currently serves as Senior Director, Inclusive Instruction and Programming, for DC Public Schools.  She has worked in education for 18 years and will soon celebrate her 10-year anniversary serving DC students. Jennifer's work focuses developing district-level systems that build the capacity of district and school leaders and teachers to effectively serve ALL students, including and especially those receiving special education services. 

Jessica Bibb currently serves as a Manager of Special Education Inclusion for DC Public Schools. She has worked in public education for 14 years in both gifted education programming and special education programming. Jessica’s work focuses on the design and implementation of specially designed instruction in order to implement IEPs.

An accomplished leader in special education, she has over 20 years of experience dedicated to improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Through SPEDucator Solutions LLC, she provides consulting services focused on inclusive practices, leadership development, and instructional support. She supported teacher and leader development as Associate Dean of Special Education at Relay Graduate School of Education in Washington, DC. Previously, she held key roles at Friendship Public Charter School and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, where she drove compliance, program innovation, and data-driven solutions to empower students with disabilities for academic and personal success. 

As an inclusive leadership consultant, Erin Larkin-Maguire collaborates with leadership teams across all levels of the education landscape (state, Local Education Agency, Charter Management Organization, higher-ed, nonprofit, school) to make decisions, develop strategy, and improve systems that drive outcomes for students with disabilities. Before becoming a consultant, Erin was the inaugural Dean of Special Education at the Relay Graduate School of Education and, ultimately, the Senior Dean of Academic Programs, where she launched and scaled cutting-edge teacher and leader preparation programs to ensure that all educators were prepared to meet the needs of students with disabilities and that special education teachers and leaders were truly prepared with specialized skills to accelerate student growth.

Hannah Blumenfeld-Love is honored to serve the DC community as a Program Manager for DC SPED Hub. Hannah, a North Carolina native, found her passion for justice in education at an early age and strives for a world where all students receive an accessible, empowering, and high-quality education. Before joining DC SPED Hub, Hannah was a special education teacher in Ward 7 and served as Assistant Ombudsman for special education at the DC Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education. As an educator, Hannah completed the Fellowship in Special Education at KIPP DC. She served on the committee to create and implement a diverse, equitable, and inclusive literacy curriculum for over 1,000 DC middle schoolers. 

Dawn Hilton serves as the Supervisory Coordinator for Early Childhood Special Education (IDEA Part B-619) at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in the District of Columbia. In this state-level leadership role, she ensures compliance and program excellence across early childhood special education programs in DC’s public and public charter schools, providing professional development and targeted technical assistance. Dawn works closely with Strong Start, D.C.’s infants’ and toddlers’ early intervention (EI) program, to promote equitable opportunities for children with disabilities transitioning to preschool. 

With over two decades of progressive experience in special education, Dawn is a seasoned professional dedicated to fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments. Her contributions extend across DC’s early childhood education landscape, including her leadership roles as evaluation coordinator and program manager at the Early Stages evaluation center within DC Public Schools. 

Dr. Beth Clavenna-Deane has 30+ years of experience in education, specializing in team collaboration, data-driven decisions, and implementing evidence-based instructional practices. Her expertise focuses on building sustainable Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in LEAs and improving post-school outcomes for students with disabilities through quality transition planning. 

LaShonda Wilson Carter is a results-driven education specialist with 15 years of experience monitoring and providing technical assistance and training to local and state government agencies. She is a passionate advocate and practitioner in the field of special education. Her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments has supported improved outcomes for students with disabilities (SWDs) in the District. Mrs. Wilson Carter currently serves as an Education Program Specialist at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in Washington, D.C. She also serves as the Secondary Transition State Lead for the State Interagency Secondary Transition Team. LaShonda Wilson Carter holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Regent University and an Administrative Services Credential (Education and Supervision Licensure) in the District of Columbia to better serve students' needs.