The Special Education Department utilizes a team management approach. The team consists of Maura Johnson, Administrator of Pupil Services, Anne O’Connell-Hanifan, Director of Early Childhood, Betsey Hanifan, Elementary Program Manager, and Cyndy Taymore, Secondary Program Manager. The team meets weekly to discuss issues and concerns and to plan programs and professional development. Four support staff, Ellyne Feldstein, Tammy DePersis, Linda Plaitano, and Gail Jay capably manage a multitude of tasks to assist in the provision of special education services in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Each school has an identified Team Chairperson who is the individual responsible for overseeing the evaluation process. Through a comprehensive evaluation, the Team determines whether a child has a disability as defined by federal regulations, and whether he or she is eligible for special education services. Malden employs psychologists, registered nurses and CNAs, social workers, speech/language, physical and occupational therapists as well as special educators, adaptive physical educators, certified behavior analysts and paraprofessionals. We also contract with teachers of the visually impaired, hearing impaired, assistive technology and orientation and mobility and a child psychiatrist to support students with disabilities. Additionally, these individuals are available to consult with staff and parents, and often provide professional development training to our school community.

Parent involvement is considered an essential component of program development and implementation. The Parent Advisory Council Executive Board represents the needs of parents of children with disabilities and meets on a regular basis with the Special Education administrative team to plan meetings and workshops and to discuss issues of concern to the community. A home training program and support programs are available for parents of young children with disabilities.

A variety of additional services are available to Malden’s students with disabilities, including the Building Buddies program, Special Olympics, and the MASH program (in collaboration with EMARC and the Malden YMCA).

We are excited about the possibilities and challenges ahead of us and look forward to our work together with parents, teachers, administrators and the community as we strengthen our efforts to educate Malden's students.