Experience

Center for Law and Education

• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Staff Attorney

  • Jul 2017 - Present

  Project manager for the Center for Law and Education's Access to Justice through Lay Advocacy Project which, provides free assistance to students facing short-term suspensions for non-drug, non-violent, non-criminal offenses.Significant involvement with career and technical education policy reform. Worked to eliminate the use of discriminatory criteria for admission to career/vocational technical education schools and programs. Represented and advocated for clients' educational rights at IEP meetings, prepared complaints to file with the Bureau of Special Education Appeals and United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, negotiated with school districts to secure compensatory education.Co-authored amicus brief in Boston Parent Coalition for Academic Excellence v. City of Boston, 2021 WL 1422827 (Apr. 15, 2021) focusing on the need to ensure that the way the Court articulated the basis for its judgment did not leave room for interpretations of law that would incorrectly and unnecessarily limit the ability of our clients and others to successfully seek redress for violations of their civil rights and pursue full equal educational opportunity free of discrimination.Co-authored amicus brief in Doe v. Worcester Pub. Schs., 484 Mass. 598 (2020) arguing that under the plain language of G.L. c 71, § 37H and principles of due process a student whom a school district expels pursuant to G.L. c 71, § 37H has a right to appeal the expulsion directly to the superintendent and the superintendent cannot designate another administrator to hear that appeal.Testified before the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Massachusetts General Court Joint Committee on Education. Show less

• Legal Fellow

  • Sep 2015 - Jun 2017

  Develop a tool encompassing the full range of quality and equity-related program elements and accountability measures under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and the Civil Rights Acts to assist career and technical education programs in preparing their high school students to graduate college and career ready.Co-authored amicus brief in Goodwin v. Lee Pub. Schs., 475 Mass. 280 (2016) discussing a school’s improper use of M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H1/2 to suspend a student and the appropriate due process procedures a school seeking to suspend or expel a student under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H1/2 must follow. Show less

• Legal Intern

  • May 2014 - Aug 2014

  Helped prepare a report discussing whether Massachusetts has a legal obligation to provide its students with high quality vocational education. Wrote memoranda covering, among other subjects, student due process rights and school discipline. Conducted document review and assisted in legal strategy development while supporting attorneys in various aspects of case preparation and planning. Helped prepare a report discussing whether Massachusetts has a legal obligation to provide its students with high quality vocational education. Wrote memoranda covering, among other subjects, student due process rights and school discipline. Conducted document review and assisted in legal strategy development while supporting attorneys in various aspects of case preparation and planning.



Cambridge Public Schools

• Primary and Secondary Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Legal Intern

  • May 2013 - Aug 2013

  Analyzed issues involving special education, teacher licensure, disability accommodation, and student privacy rights. Drafted a proposed contractual agreement between Cambridge Public Schools and online entities storing student data to ensure protection of student privacy rights. Observed administrative meetings and collective bargaining. Analyzed issues involving special education, teacher licensure, disability accommodation, and student privacy rights. Drafted a proposed contractual agreement between Cambridge Public Schools and online entities storing student data to ensure protection of student privacy rights. Observed administrative meetings and collective bargaining.



AmeriCorps

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Program Development

  • Aug 2011 - Jul 2012

  Co-managed and taught a mentorship program designed to increase technological proficiency, critical thinking, and problem solving of students in grades four through six. Co-managed and taught a mentorship program designed to increase technological proficiency, critical thinking, and problem solving of students in grades four through six.