Melissa Katz
Vice President, Inclusive Education

Melissa is an inclusion and equity advocate for historically underserved populations in NYC charter schools. She leads The Collaborative for Inclusive Education, ensuring that schools have access to the essential supports, trainings, resources and technical assistance necessary to secure the success of all of their students. Prior to joining the Collaborative, she worked as a French dual language teacher and an ESL teacher within the NYC DOE. During her time in the classroom, she strived to provide equity and access for all her students through culturally relevant pedagogy and research-based language supports. Melissa holds B.A.s from Trinity College (Hartford) in French, Spanish and English, earned her M.S. in TESOL as a Teach For America corps member from Fordham University, and her M.S. in Educational Leadership from Hunter College.

mkatz@nyccharterschools.org

Eleanora (Ellie) Grose
Inclusive Education Specialist

Eleanora (Ellie) is the Inclusive Education Specialist for the Collaborative for Inclusive Education. Ellie works closely with schools in creating inclusive programs that support all students. She joins the Collaborative after spending over two decades working in special education and supporting special populations in many different capacities. She began her career in private education, specializing in language-based learning disabilities. She spent 8 years teaching in the public charter specialized & integrated classroom before moving to administration—and has proudly served as a teacher, coordinator, and director of special populations for some great schools. Ellie holds a B.A. in Psychology from Syracuse University and a M.S. in Special Education from Simmons University.

egrose@nyccharterschools.org

Angelica Maddox
Inclusive Education Specialist

Angelica is an Inclusive Education Specialist with the Collaborative for Inclusive Education. Angelica works closely with schools to help the creation of inclusive programs that support all students. She joins the Collaborative after spending over a decade working in special education and supporting special populations in high schools. As a former special education teacher of multiple content areas and a dean of special education, she brings much lived experience to her work. Angelica holds a B.A. in American History from SUNY Old Westbury and a M.S. in Special Education with a concertation in History from Long Island University.

amaddox@nyccharterschools.org

Rene Minnocci
MLL/ELL Specialist

Rene is the MLL/ELL Specialist for the Collaborative for Inclusive Education, where she promotes equity and access for multilingual students and families through professional development, coaching, technical assistance, and advocacy. She joins the Collaborative after a decade serving MLL populations in Connecticut and New York, teaching in a variety of language models including Spanish-English Dual Language, Transitional Bilingual, Sheltered English, and English Immersion. Most recently, Rene served as the MLL lead of a NYC charter school in Washington Heights, designing and implementing the school’s MLL programming, coaching teachers, and serving students directly, including MLLs with IEPs. Rene holds a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature with Elementary/Special Education coursework from Providence College and an M.A. in Bilingual Bicultural Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

rminnocci@nyccharterschools.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.

Kimberly (Kiki) Almonte
Senior Administrative Coordinator

Kimberly (Kiki) Almonte is the Administrative Coordinator for The Collaborative for Inclusive Education. Kiki provides vital logistical and administrative support for events, and ensures that charter schools have access to resources that support their ability to serve diverse populations. Prior to joining the Collaborative, she worked as a Special Education Coordinator at Success Academy Charter Schools, and has a background in IT Support and Data Management. Kiki holds a B.A. in History from Hunter College.​

kalmonte@nyccharterschools.org