Who We Are

Nicole Eredics

Nicole Eredics is an educator who advocates for the inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom. She draws upon her years of experience as a full inclusion classroom teacher to write, speak, and consult on the topic of inclusive education to various local and national organizations.
Nicole uses her unique insight and knowledge to provide practical strategies for fully including and instructing students of all abilities in the classroom. She is the author of a practical new guidebook for teachers and parents called, Inclusion in Action: Practical Strategies to Modify Your Curriculum. For more information, go to www.theinclusiveclass.com.

Website: www.theinclusiveclass.com

Twitter: @inclusiveclass

Beth Foraker

Beth Foraker is a mom to four children: Jack, 26, Mary Kate, 23, Patrick, 19 and Caroline, 12. Her third child, Patrick, has Down Syndrome. Patrick was fully included Kindergarten through 8th grade in their local Catholic school – St. James – and then fully included for one year in a public junior high in 9th grade – Holmes Junior High – and fully included 9th-12th grade at a public charter school with a Project-Based/Tech Focus – Da Vinci Academy. Patrick was able to graduate with a California high school diploma – a rare achievement for students with Down Syndrome. Patrick currently attends a four year inclusive post-secondary program that has inclusive living at George Mason University. There are only 16 of those in the country!

Beth works for UC Davis in the School of Education with beginning teachers in their Multiple Subject Credential/Masters Program. She is the Founder and Director of The National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion – a non-profit that works with families and schools to fully include students with intellectual disabilities in Catholic schools.

She works to build Continuums of Inclusion: communities that offer preschool through college inclusion so that independent adulthood and full belonging are possible.

Website: www.fullinclusionforcatholicschools.org

Twitter: @inclusionchick

Instagram: @inclusionchick

Facebook: The National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion

Renay H. Marquez

Renay H. Marquez is the representative from ParaEducate, a company supporting paraeducators and paraprofessionals working in public education (K-12) with students with disabilities. Renay has been a paraeducator for fifteen years in an inclusive school district with students with mild to severe disabilities. Renay is a graduate of the University of Southern California, School of Architecture.  

ParaEducate has been to many conferences talking about the role of paraeducators in an inclusive classroom. ParaEducate has eight books, seven of which are modified curriculum for use with students with disabilities.

Website: www.paraeducate.com / blog.paraeducate.com

Twitter: @paraeducate/@rhm_designs

Amanda Morin

Amanda Morin an author, speaker, parent advocate and former early childhood educator.As an educator and also as a parent of kids with learning issues, she has been an active member of numerous Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams and believes strongly in the importance of educators partnering with families. She worked as a classroom teacher and as an early intervention specialist for 10 years and has special education advocacy training from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. Since 2007, she has been an education writer and for the past 5 years has played an integral role in the launch and development of Understood.org as a senior writer, editor, subject matter expert, and most recently, as “In It” podcast co-host.

Amanda is the author of three books: The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education, The Everything Kids’ Learning Activities Book and On-the-Go Fun for Kids: More Than 250 Activities to Keep Little Ones Busy and Happy—Anytime, Anywhere!  

To reach Amanda, email everythingspecialed@gmail.com

Website: www.everythingkidslearning.com

Twitter: @AmandaMorin

Tim Villegas

Tim Villegas is the Founder, President, and Lead Content Strategist for Think Inclusive LLC, an online resource that provides Inclusion Coaching, Educational Consulting, and Inclusive Education resources for parents and educators who strive for authentic inclusion. He is also the Producer and Host of the Think Inclusive Podcast which features interviews and commentary with thought leaders in inclusive education and community advocacy.

Email: timvillegas@thinkinclusive.us

Website: www.thinkinclusive.us

Podcast: www.anchor.fm/think-inclusive

Twitter: @think_inclusive / @inclusive_pod