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Real change happens when educators, partners, volunteers, and supporters come together. Join us in creating schools where students with disabilities thrive.

Ways to Get Involved

The DC Special Education Cooperative works alongside schools, educators, employers, families, community organizations, advocates, and city agencies across Washington, DC to help students with disabilities thrive in school and beyond. Whether you are looking to support our work, partner on an initiative, volunteer your time, or connect with our school community, there are many ways to get involved.

Ways to Get Involved

Every contribution, whether through funding, expertise, collaboration, or service, helps strengthen opportunities and outcomes for students with disabilities across the city.

Donate

Support the Co-op’s work to strengthen inclusive instruction, workforce readiness, educator development, and school systems for students with disabilities across Washington, DC.

Make a Donation

Careers

Explore opportunities to join the Co-op team or browse openings through the Co-op’s Special Education Job Board connecting talented professionals with schools across DC.

View Careers & Job Board

Volunteer

Volunteer with the Co-op to support students through mock interviews, career exploration activities, workplace experiences, and other initiatives.

Learn About Volunteering

Partner

Partner with the Co-op to help expand opportunities for students with disabilities and strengthen inclusive educational systems across DC. We collaborate with schools, employers, higher education institutions, nonprofits, community organizations, and public agencies.

Explore Partnership Opportunities

Join

The Co-op helps charter schools build strong, sustainable special education systems through collaboration and shared expertise. Members get professional development, technical assistance, and a network of special education experts — all in one community.

Become a Member

Member Portal

Current members can access resources, tools, announcements, and program information through the Co‑op's Member Portal.

Access the Member Portal

Creating equitable and excellent educational systems for students with disabilities takes collaboration, partnership, and community.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join the Co-op community to access programs, resources, and partnerships that help schools better support students with disabilities.
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Learn about membership

Ja'Vaan Veal Bio

Special Education Advisory Board Member
Director of Compliance, KIPP DC PCS

Ja’Vaan Veal is currently the Director of Compliance of Student Support at KIPP DC. She has worked in special education for 18 years serving in both instructional and administrative roles in the Chicagoland area before beginning at KIPP DC in 2016. Ja’Vaan earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Western IL University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Roosevelt University. Although she feels that her schooling prepped her for her career, she is primarily grateful for her opportunities to work and learn from those who she considers the greats of special education, namely her two mentors, Dr. Joan Gross and Cheryl Clark. Ja’Vaan feels lucky to continue down a path that allows her to serve children and the community while meeting some great people along the way.

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Kenyetta Singleton Bio

Special Education Advisory Board Member
Special Education Manager, AppleTree Early Learning PCS

Kenyetta Singleton is a proud graduate of Howard University and is a certified Speech and Language Pathologist with over 20 years of experience working in DC Public and Charter Schools. Currently, she is the Special Education Manager at AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter Schools, which also serves four other Local Education Agencies in DC Charter Schools. Ms. Singleton has been on panels with topics that focused on Special Education for students who are in an urban school district. She enjoys supporting families and ensuring that students receive services so they can be in an inclusive classroom environment.

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Melody Maitland Bio

Special Education Advisory Board Member
Chief of Staff, District of Columbia International School PCS

Melody serves as the Chief of Staff for DC International Public Charter School. Her work focuses on operationalizing processes developed over the school’s seven year history with a focus on achieving strategic plan goals. Prior to this role, Melody served as the founding Director of Student Support Services, managing formal support services (i.e., special education, 504s, and EL services) across all grade levels. She earned her BA in Sociology and Leadership Studies from the University of Denver, her Masters of Social Work from the University of Denver, and her Masters of Education from George Mason University. In her free time, Melody loves watching documentaries, going to fairs and festivals, and eating out!

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