Meet Shari Bithell, M.Ed, Ed.S, GATE Certified was a 5th/6th grade GATE teacher in a California model school for full inclusion. She worked with mostly GATE and 2e students, challenging them in their areas of strengths and helping them to grow and progress in their areas of challenge. Executive Functioning skills were an area that Shari felt all GATE students needed to develop as a life skill to carry them through higher education and their eventual career. Shari did eventually move on to working at the

district level both as an instructional coach helping teachers to grow in areas of challenge and heading up the GATE program at her district. Although it was not recognized as a child, Shari would probably be labeled as 2e in today’s school climate. She understands the challenges of being gifted, yet struggling in some academic areas. Shari’s special interests include reading, gardening, and playing with her grandchildren.

Meet Jeanine Leech, M.Ed, with over 24 years of working in special education, Jeanine knows what it takes to create the most inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students. She started in the field as an instructional aide for a child with autism and knew immediately that this was her calling. She has served as a teacher, behavior specialist, program specialist, and special education and student services director. Jeanine possesses extensive training in IDEA IEPs (Special Education), Section 504 Plans (Civil Rights), Gifted and Talented Students, Foster Youth, and Student Discipline.

Her expertise as a former district employee and an advocate for families brings a unique skill set that works with families and school districts towards resolutions that are solution-focused with student’s needs at the center.