Erin De Assis, M.Ed.

My roles as special education teacher, team leader, athletic coach, parent, and, most recently, elementary school therapy dog handler, have all profoundly shaped who I am today.

At the intersection of those opportunities is my belief that people are good inside. With tools of agency and creative problem solving, in partnership with others, that goodness is provided a space to grow.

I am deeply invested in supporting all areas of the K-12 neurodivergent student’s educational journey— at school, at home, and in their communities — in their quest to do purposeful work and build meaningful lives. Our students are among the newest on this path, which is why our commitment to them as adults is so urgent.

My greatest commitment as an educator and educational consultant is that others experience the joy, excellence, and affirmation I bring to my work every day, so they feel trusted and trustworthy in my efforts to bring people together to accomplish collaborative goals.

There is no greater work than the effort we invest in one another.

Neurodivergent students need affirming mantras that remind them how brilliant and capable they are.

My Approach

I believe in starting from a place of strength and what is working, to build a strong foundation to support challenges. I am committed to supporting educators, parents, and community members in learning more about the needs of the children they serve and in designing intuitive processes that build capacity and encourage high-level creative problem-solving.

Education

I hold a Master of Education Degree in Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment from Regis University in 2017, and a Bachelor of Art Degree in Psychology from Hofstra University in New York. My initial K-12 Special Education Licensure program was through Fayetteville State University in North Carolina.

Experience

My career experience includes working as a K-12 special ed teacher, in intensive special needs programs and inclusion/co-teaching settings in general education classrooms, and leadership roles for student support and coaching for new teachers. I have developed school-wide practices to help teams work together with synergy, direction, accuracy, and efficiency. I am also an experienced and passionate presenter, speaking on a variety of special education, MTSS, and school culture topics, to internal and broader community audiences.

Training

I hold an active K-12 Special Education Teaching License, a teaching endorsement for middle school math, as well as certification in Orton Gillingham Literacy Instruction, and Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices.