Speaker Biographies
Myrna R. Mandlawitz, M.ED., J.D.
As president of MRM Associates, LLC, Myrna serves as the policy and legislative consultant to the Council of Administrators of Special Education. She has worked in Washington for 30 years as a consultant/lobbyist on special and general education law and policy and has authored a number of books and publications on special education. Myrna is a former president of the Committee for Education Funding, a coalition of over 100 national organizations focused on increasing the federal investment in education, and also serves as a co-chair of the National Alliance of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel. Her first position in Washington was as Director of Government Relations for the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. A native of Virginia, Myrna spent fourteen years as a classroom teacher and assisted in the development of Virginia's program for infants and toddlers with disabilities. She holds a master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston University and a law degree from Temple University.
Kenneth Polishchuk
Kenneth Polishchuk is the Senior Director for Congressional and Federal Relations & Education Policy Lead at the American Psychological Association where he leads APA’s education policy and advocacy portfolio. His issue areas of focus include the application of psychological science to teaching and learning; school and campus-based mental health; federal student loan and repayment programs; and mental and behavioral health care workforce development. Prior to coming to APA, he spent more than 5 years on the government affairs team at the Council of Graduate Schools. He has an MA in American Politics, an MA in Public Policy, and a BA in Psychology. Originally from New York City, he currently resides in Washington, DC.
Celeste M. Malone, PhD, MS
Celeste M. Malone, PhD, MS, is an associate professor and coordinator of the school psychology program at Howard University. She received her master’s degree in school counseling from Johns Hopkins University and her doctorate in school psychology from Temple University, and she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in child clinical and pediatric psychology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Celeste’s primary research interest relates to multicultural and diversity issues embedded in the training and practice of school psychology. Specifically, her work addresses the development of multicultural competence through education and training, diversification of the profession of school psychology, and the relationship between culturally responsive practice and pre-K–12 student outcomes. Related to her interest in professional issues in school psychology, Celeste has continuously held leadership positions in psychology professional associations and has been recognized for her ongoing leadership and commitment to social justice in psychology by presidential recognitions from NASP, the Maryland School Psychologists’ Association, and APA Division 16 School Psychology. Celeste is the 2022–2023 NASP President and, notably, is the second person of color to ever serve in this role.
Kuna Tavalin
Kuna Tavalin has two decades of experience in public affairs, advocacy and strategic planning in the education and human services arenas. Kuna focuses on federal policy encompassing appropriations, special education, early education, family engagement, child welfare and juvenile justice. Kuna began her career in the U.S. Senate where she covered a wide range of issues from education and child welfare to housing and transportation. Since that time, she has been working for non-profit organizations committed to helping the children and families furthest from opportunity succeed to their fullest potential. Kuna earned her teacher certification in Massachusetts and has taught middle school history.
Bradford Fitch
Bradford Fitch has spent 36 years in Washington as a journalist, congressional aide, consultant, college instructor, Internet entrepreneur, and writer/researcher. He began working on Capitol Hill in 1988 where he served for 13 years. He worked in a variety of positions for four Members of Congress, including: press secretary, campaign manager, legislative director, and chief of staff. Fitch joined the Congressional Management Foundation in 2001 where he has served as a management consultant for Members of Congress, offering confidential guidance, conducting staff training programs, and writing publications on enhancing the performance of individual congressional offices and the institution. Fitch has taught journalism and public communications at American University in Washington, D.C.
Emmanual A. Guillory
Emmanual A. Guillory currently serves as the Director of Student and Institutional Aid Policy at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He is responsible for developing NAICU’s policy positions on student and institutional aid, in conjunction with the association’s member college, university, and association presidents, and representing those positions to Congress, the White House, the Department of Education, and other agencies. Previously, Emmanual served as the Director for Public Policy and Government Affairs at the United Negro College Fund and served a decade in the House of Representatives, most on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. He is a recipient of The Hill’s Top Lobbyist recognition, and he currently serves as President of the Committee for Education Funding, the largest educational coalition in our country.
Nicole Fuller
Nicole Fuller is a Senior Policy Associate at the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). Nicole supports the development and implementation of NCLD's policy agenda by conducting research and analysis and advocating on key issues related to learning and attention issues. Currently, Nicole focuses on postsecondary education and workforce development policy, federal appropriations, and teacher policy. Prior to joining NCLD, Nicole was a middle school math teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools. She also has worked as a Research Assistant with Transition Tennessee where she developed resources for Vocational Rehabilitation providers, families, and students on Pre-Employment Transition Services for students with disabilities.
Laurie VanderPloeg
Laurie VanderPloeg is the Associate Executive Director for Professional Affairs, Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Prior to joining CEC, she was the director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), at the U.S. Department of Education. Laurie also served as director of special education at Kent Intermediate School District (Kent ISD) in Michigan. Also at Kent ISD, she served as assistant director for monitoring, compliance and parent support. She also served as a local supervisor of special education, a special education teacher, and an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University in the special education administration program. Laurie is a graduate of Grand Valley State University. She is a parent of an adult son with disabilities.
A personnel preparation grant recipient, Dr. Brennan earned her PhD in Special Education from the University of Pittsburgh in 2017. She currently serves as the Policy Advisor for the Higher Education Consortium for Special Education and the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children. Additionally, Dr. Brennan serves as a consultant with the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and provides policy advising services to a number of local non-profit education organizations. Dr. Brennan is the co-chair for the Coalition for Teacher quality and her policy work focuses primarily on rebuilding and diversifying the special educator and specialized instructional support personnel pipeline.
Mason Kindel
Mason Kindel has been in the field of special education since 1991. His experience in education includes teaching special education at the elementary and middle school levels, a consultant with the Idaho SDE, and a support services director. Currently, he is the Director of Support Services for the Twin Falls School District. Kindel has been an active member of CEC for over 30 years and a CASE member for 16 years. He is currently the CASE President-Elect and has served as both the Idaho CEC and CASE President.
Dr. Danielle Kovach
Dr. Danielle Kovach began her teaching career in 1997 and has taught both general and special education across a wide range of settings. She is currently a third-grade special education teacher and adjunct professor at Centenary University in New Jersey. Danielle is the 2022 President of The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities. She is also the 2011 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year, 2012 NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence recipient, and the 2014 CEC Teacher of the Year. As a special educator, Dr. Kovach believes in the importance of praising the process, challenging the impossible, and celebrating every victory. Her experiences inspired her to advocate for children with exceptionalities and support the education professionals who serve them.
Dr. Kevin Rubenstein
Dr. Kevin Rubenstein is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services with Elmhurst D205 in Illinois. He was formerly the Director of Student Services, Technology, and Assessment at Lake Bluff Elementary School District 65 in Illinois. He oversees all aspects of the District's student services program, including services for students with disabilities served under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504, along with those supports for students who are learning English (ELL) and other students receiving tiered supports through the District's Multi-tiered Systems of Support/Response to Intervention Program. Dr. Rubenstein holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Loyola University, and three other graduate level degrees and received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Illinois State University. On July 1, 2022, he became the President-Elect of the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE).
Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez
Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez is the Vice President for Research, Policy, & Advocacy at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) where she leads the strategy and content development for the association’s research, programs and professional learning, state and federal policy and advocacy initiatives. Jackie is an experienced teacher, teacher leader, and professor. Prior to her appointment with AACTE, Jackie served William & Mary as a special education faculty member in the School of Education.
Jackie’s research focuses on providing all students equity and access to high-quality education and educators. Her book, Special Education Law and Policy: From Foundation to Application, focuses on ensuring educators and advocates are prepared to support students with disabilities in our nation’s schools. She’s written and presented on topics including culturally responsive education practices, the use of simulation to support educator preparation, STEM education for diverse exceptional learners, inclusive education for displaced and refugee learners, and bridging education policy to practice.
Mitchell L. Yell, Ph.D.
Mitchell L. Yell, Ph.D., is the Fred and Francis Lester Palmetto Chair of Teacher Education and professor in special education at the University of South Carolina. He earned his Ph.D. in special education from the University of Minnesota. His professional interests include special education law, IEP development, progress monitoring, and positive behavior support in special education. Dr. Yell has published 136 journal articles, 6 textbooks, 38 book chapters, and has conducted numerous workshops on various aspects of special education law, classroom management, and progress monitoring. His textbook, Special Education and the Law, is in its 5th edition. In 2020, he was awarded the Researcher of the Year from the Council for Exceptional Children and in 2021 he received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Council of Children with Behavioral Disorders. Dr. Yell also serves as a State-level due process review officer in South Carolina and is on the Board of Directors of the Council for Exceptional Children. Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Yell was a special education teacher in Minnesota for 12 years.