Officers

Co-Chair

Becky Zimmerman

I am a district parent and have a young adult son with an IEP who has autism/IDD and is nonverbal. I have been active in the PTAs at my kids’ schools over the past 13 years, and I co-founded the Albany Special Education Parent Advisory Council and have served as its Co-Chair for four years. I am interested in being part of a community of special education parents, staff, and others who can help one another, and help find ways to strengthen special education in our district.

I am a retired Albany district Speech-Language Pathologist. I have served for the past four years as co-chair of the SEPAC. I am also a founding member. As a parent of a young adult who had an IEP for learning disabilities, I am committed to helping all parents get educated about special education so they can be effective advocates for their kids. I am especially interested in science-based reading instruction for people with dyslexia.

I am a parent whose daughter attends Albany High School and has been placed in a self-contained classroom since middle school. I want to assist other parents/caregivers that may need assistance in the navigation of understanding the special education process. I believe offering my assistance in an administrative duty will allow me to use my talents for an organization that is much needed in the Albany City School District.

I have three children in Special Education and I love to be involved and make sure they are getting the best education and their rights are being protected. I’m willing to help in any area and plan to excel to my highest potential.

I’m a speech pathologist who moved from Long Island to Albany 11 years ago to attend Saint Rose, and got a job in the Albany district straight out of college. I love Albany because it is racially and economically diverse. As a kid, I did not get the opportunity to have any teachers who were people of color, and was often one of the only students of color in my classes. It’s important to me to work in a district where I and other staff can provide that representation for our students. I do feel that families of color are significantly underrepresented in special education and I would like to help change that.

I am a retired SPED ACSD teacher and feel the more we empower parents and staff with knowledge and confidence, the more successful our children will become. This platform allows me to share what I have learned, bring a different perspective to the group and support to the families facing the unknowns. My years of experience has proven that the most successful students are those whose families are actively involved in their education! SEPAC is made up of AMAZING people who love and care for children. I learn something new each time we gather. While we do not know everything, we all deeply respect and enjoy sharing a piece of whatever the issue is and vow to assist in getting answers or digging deeper to help each family navigate the education process.

My wife and I are veterans of the special-ed system, starting with obtaining services for our son from Albany County at age 2, continuing through South Colonie Schools, up to his graduation from the College Experience Program administered by Living Resources. I am a retired social worker and have worked in administrative and executive positions at O. D. Heck Developmental Center, the Commission on Quality of Care (now the New York Justice Center), Vanderheyden, Catholic Charities Disabilities Services and Unity House. I have also served on several boards including Mission Accomplished Transition Services and Catholic Charities Disabilities Services. I also served on the Village of Colonie Planning Commission. In addition to SEPAC, I also currently volunteer at St. Vincent’s Food Pantry and am a member of St. Vincent’s Social Concerns/Peace and Justice Committee. I have been an advocate for people with disabilities for over 50 years and hope to do so for many years to come.