Rebecca joined the Co-op in August of 2015. In her work, she actively supports DC charter schools in developing and delivering high-quality secondary transition services to students with disabilities between the ages of 14-21. Rebecca founded “DC3C Exploring Career, College and Community”, the Co-op’s first Secondary Transition Program. She has worked to develop innovative student programming such as DC3C Spring Break which addresses job-readiness skills, Next Steps, an event where teachers and students explore post-secondary vocational education programs in DC and created a virtual summer internship program. In addition to designing and managing student programming, Not only does Rebecca assist schools in increasing transition compliance through workshops, and coaching, but also Rebecca helps DC agencies (e.g. RSA) connect with charter schools’ students for post-high-school success. Outside of her primary job functions, Rebecca supports the Council for Exception Children, Division on Career Development and Transition, Early Career Writing, and Publishing Committee.

Before joining the Co-op, Rebecca taught for eight years in DC where she served in many capacities including a general education English teacher, a special education teacher, and case manager, and a self-contained resource room teacher. A highlight of her teaching time was spent creating a certificate of completion course of study for high school students with disabilities that were not able to earn a diploma. It was then that Rebecca found her love of transition!

Rebecca holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina in English and Sociology, a master’s in Teaching Secondary English from American University, and a Doctorate of Education in Special Education from George Washington University with research on culturally linguistically diverse families and students.