Megan Ohlssen
Director, NYC Special Education Collaborative

Megan is responsible for ensuring NYC charter schools have the resources and supports necessary to develop high quality inclusive educational environments that ensure all students achieve their maximum potential through weekly schools visits, school-based trainings and citywide workshops. Megan and her team work to align schools’ needs and wants with programming that strengthens practices around inclusion and equity, as well as pushing schools to rethink and enhance more inclusive educational environments by engaging stakeholders at all levels. Megan also works closely with the district to advocate for high quality services and timely evaluations for students with disabilities in charter schools. Megan has worked as a special education teacher and leader in both district and charter school settings. Megan comes to NYC by way of San Francisco. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Lewis and Clark College, and earned an M.A. in Elementary Special Education and General Education as a Teaching Fellow at Brooklyn College.

megan@NYCsped.org

Melissa Katz
Director, English Learner Supports

Melissa works to ensure that the city’s charter schools have access to the essential supports, resources and technical assistance to lead their English learners (ELs) to academic success. Her goal is to advocate for ELs and strengthen their presence and achievement in NYC charter schools. Prior to joining the team, Melissa worked as a K-5 ESL and French dual language teacher for the NYC DOE for five years. During her time in the classroom, she created an inclusive environment through culturally responsive teaching and best second language acquisition methodology, including SIOP. Melissa holds B.A.s from Trinity College (Hartford) in French, Spanish and English, and earned her M.S. in TESOL as a Teach For America corps member from Fordham University.

mkatz@nyccharterschools.org

Patrick Keyes
Administrative Manager

Patrick serves as the primary event coordinator and manages operations for the NYC Special Education Collaborative. He also works to supports schools in utilizing their membership benefits. Previously, Patrick taught English learners in Korea, Spain, and Boston. He has also worked in fundraising for Boston’s PBS affiliate, WGBH.

patrick@NYCsped.org

Corey Green
Special Education Specialist

Corey provides resources, trainings, and onsite expertise to support NYC charter schools in developing and maintaining high quality special education programs. Her work experience reflects her commitment to ensuring that all educators, whether new or experienced, are coached and supported in formal and consistent ways. Corey became a special education teacher through the NYC Teaching Fellows program. After six years of teaching in NYC Department of Education public schools and training first-year teachers in the NYC Teaching Fellows program, she began working in charter schools. Following time at Achievement First as a learning specialist, she spent two years as the Director of Inclusive Learning at Great Oaks. Corey holds a B.A. in Social Work from Rutgers University and a M.S. in Education from Long Island University – Brooklyn.

corey@nycsped.org

Anna Reeve
Part-time Special Education Specialist

Anna provides resources and professional development to schools with a focus on literacy instruction and culturally responsive practices. Anna lives in Haiti, working as an education specialist with Universitè Quisqueya where she helps design alternative programs and pathways for teacher and school leader certification. Prior to moving to Haiti, Anna spent 7 years at Achievement First Endeavor Middle School in Brooklyn. Anna has worked as a special education teacher, coordinator, and dean for 9 years.