Pattabi Raman, Ph.D., University of Calcutta; Ed.D., University of Massachusetts. Raman currently serves as executive director of the Center for Promotion of Learning Abilities and lead faculty member for the Special Education Endorsement. He is a senior faculty member in the Education and Human Services Divisions of Capella University, a leading distance learning institution for higher learning. He previously taught at the University of Massachusetts, the University of Hawaii and National University in San Diego. He has more than 20 years of experience in translating systems philosophy into human resource development and staff training programs. His professional and research interest is applying advances in brain research to optimize learning and work potential. Raman has authored two books, several anthologies and has published more than 35 professional articles in both biochemistry and human development.

Lila Henderson-Leonard, B.A., University of Washington; M.A. and ED.S., Seattle Pacific University; core faculty member in the Center for Programs in Education at Antioch and liaison with the Special Education Endorsement program. Henderson-Leonard has worked as a classroom teacher in a variety of Washington settings in both special education and reading. Her professional interests include special education coursework and demonstration projects, as well as the state Praxis endorsement exams. She holds memberships in the International Reading Association and the Association of Washington School Administrators.

Adora Callas, B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara; M.A., Antioch University Seattle. Callas serves as a special education and consulting teacher at Clark Elementary School in Issaquah, Washington. Callas is experienced in administering and interpreting a variety of diagnostic tools relevant to the students being served and is knowledgeable and practiced in writing and implementing sound individual education programs and 504 plans, with particular skill in developing curriculum sequences and adapting materials for special needs students.

Jill Duffy DeGoede, B.A., Washington State University; M.A., City University. DeGoede specializes in literacy instruction and special education accommodations and modifications. An 11-year teaching veteran of the Sumner School District, for the past three years DeGoede has been a staff development specialist for Daffodil Valley Elementary School. She is active in a variety of professional service activities: Sumner School District’s representative for the Education Service District (ESD) Reading Leadership Cadre, assessment coordinator for Daffodil Valley Elementary School, a member of the writing curriculum committee for the Sumner School District and a regular coordinator/facilitator of professional development workshops for teachers.

Rick Bily, M.Ed., with certification in special education. Bily has more than 25 years of experience as a reading and program learning specialist for special education, Title I/LAP and ELL programs. He coordinated and directed services for evaluation, assessments and instructional programs for students with disabilities. He has provided reading instruction and assessment in clinical, classroom, resource and small group settings from kindergarten to adult education. He has been a team leader for a school district’s inclusion projects and reading and intervention committees, as well as a supervisor of programs for behaviorally disabled students at the secondary level. Bily has supervised and trained staff at elementary and secondary schools for special education support. He has maintained his own professional growth through training in rules and regulations in IDEA/Washington Administrative Codes, functional behavior assessments, mediation and conflict resolution, English language learners, disadvantaged learners and through his continued work with impoverished students and families.