2023 Keynote
Dr. Darren Kennedy
Senior Consultant, Public Consulting Group
Dr. Darren Kennedy is an experienced teacher, assistant principal, principal, and leadership coach. Starting his career at the Asbury Park School District, Dr. Kennedy served as an Assistant Principal and Principal in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tennessee and the Williamson County Schools in Tennessee. Dr. Kennedy is a Senior Consultant and Subject Matter Expert on School Leadership at Public Consulting Group. Dr. Kennedy received a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Howard University, a Master of Education in School Administration from Tennessee State University and a Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership from Tennessee State University. Dr. Kennedy frequently writes online about Professional Learning; the impact of COVID-19 on learning; and project based learning. He works with school districts on enhancing the leadership of school principals and frequently speaks about forming communities of practice via innovations in professional learning.
2023 Speakers
Christine Cline
Consultant, Public Consulting Group
Christine Cline, a Consultant in PCG Education, serves as a subject matter expert with over 20 years of experience in special education and RtI/MTSS leadership roles. Christine supports educators nationwide to successfully scale and sustain the implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework.
Dr. Gerry Crisonino
Assistant Superintendent: Special Education Department, Jersey City Public Schools
Dr. Gerry Crisonino is the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Services in the Jersey City, NJ public schools, who currently serves over 4,200 students with disabilities. Both a clinical and school psychologist by training, Dr. Crisonino has extensive experience working with parents and community members, in addressing areas such as transition, family engagement, and dealing with mental health challenges. Dr. Crisonino chairs the NJASA Special Education Committee, served as member of the DOE’s ESSA stakeholders group, as well as a frequent presenter for NJAPSA and NJSBA, as well as having served on his district’s board of education. He is also an executive board member of the New Jersey Association of Pupil Service Administrators.
Debbie Esposito
Project Director, START-Engaging Parents of Students with Disabilities at NJ SPAN
Debbie Esposito is the Project Director of START-Engaging Parents of Students with Disabilities at NJ SPAN. In this role, she leads programs and services that support the engagement of families to improve outcomes for students, including developing and supporting Special Education Parent Advisory Groups (SEPAGs) in communities and school districts. Through her work, she supports parent leadership activities; partners with educators in improving educational programs for students with disabilities, particularly in the area of Inclusion; and helps new or existing parent advisory groups or parent support groups in New Jersey. Debbie is highly respected across the Garden State by both parents and school administrators alike for her child-centered focus.
Dr. Theresa Herrero Taylor
Director of Special Services, Jackson Township School District
Dr. Taylor is the Director of Special Services for Jackson Township School District and Chair of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association Special Education Committee. She is a New Jersey Licensed Psychologist, doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and New Jersey Certified School Psychologist with a doctorate in School, Community and Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Counseling Psychology and a Masters in Multicultural Counseling from Columbia University. Dr. Taylor is also an owner/practitioner in private practice as a licensed psychologist and behavior analyst where she conducts evaluations, and provides individual, group and/or family intervention and therapy working with both children and adults. She has worked in New Jersey public education for more than 20 years where she has overseen behavioral and mental health assessment, intervention, and programming across multiple school districts.
Mollye Kiss
Senior Consultant, Public Consulting Group
Mollye Kiss, a Senior Consultant in PCG Education, serves as a business line lead for EDPlan EWS/ MTSS/RtI products. She works jointly with PCG’s regional offices on EDPlan student success projects, providing implementation and leadership support for large-scale EWS/MTSS/RtI initiatives throughout the country. Informed by more than 27 years of special education experience, Mollye has a thorough understanding of the complexities inherent in providing effective and appropriate special education services in inclusive settings while adhering to the full range of federal, state, and local requirements. Her dedication to student and teacher success is evident in her drive to design structures and processes for successful implementation and sustainability in learning environments.
Joseph Palumbo
Director of School Counseling, Jackson Township Public Schools
Joseph Palumbo is the Director of School Counseling at Jackson Township Public Schools and will be presenting with Dr. Theresa Herrero Taylor on Interdepartmental and Multi-District Partnerships for Change: Ensuring Student and Staff Safety Utilizing Threat Assessment and Positive Behavior Support Models.
Dr. Chinwe Osondu
Assistant Director, Office of Special Education, NJDOE
Chinwe Osondu, Ed.D. is a Special Education Consultant at the New Jersey Department of Education. She is an award-winning educator with a proven record of accomplishments. She has extensive experience in Inclusive learning practices, managing grants, and providing professional development to districts across the state of New Jersey. During her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and being a mom to three amazing children.
Dr. Jerome Patterson
Student Support Coordinator, LEAD Charter School
Dr. Jerome Patterson is a Student Support Coordinator at LEAD Charter School. Previously, Dr. Patterson was a special education and financial literacy teacher. Dr. Patterson earned a B.S in Business Administration from University of Phoenix - Philadelphia Campus, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from American University in Washington, DC; a Master's in Teacher Leadership from University of Phoenix - Online, and he's currently completing his Doctoral Residency and dissertation from Capella University in Educational Systems Performance Improvement.
John Worthington, Esq.
Education Law Specialist, NJPSA/FEA/LEGAL ONE
John Worthington is a consultant for LEGAL ONE (Law, Ethics, and Governance for All Leaders, including an Overview of New and Emerging issues) at NJPSA/FEA. John recently retired as Director of the Office of Special Education Policy and Procedure in the New Jersey Department of Education, where he was responsible, under federal statute and regulations, to operate a system of general supervision and monitor the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 in New Jersey. As director of OSEPP, John oversaw the operation of multiple systems, including: Monitoring; Dispute Resolution; Complaint Investigation; Distribution and oversight of the IDEA Part B Grant; Oversight of Approved Private Schools for Students with Disabilities; Development of Policy, Guidance, and Administrative Code; and Special Education Data collection and analysis.