Meet the CCSE Members

 A parent advocate that believes in parent led collaboration to finding solutions for students with disabilities. Inclusion looks like having all of our parents at the table, understanding the uniqemenss of thier student / community needs and supporting district advocates on how to navigate education spaces. Not interested in titles, accolades, or affiliations a job well done means a child and thier family feels safe and supported in their school community! 

 I am a parent of two students with IEP’s.  One who attends his local district school and the other who attends an 853 school.  Mark has been active for years in advocating for students with IEP’s and their families.  Mark Is a returning member of CCSE and previously was the First Vice-President at CEC3 in his second of two terms in CEC3.    Mark is currently on the Board of an 853 school and is a former PTA President and PA Co-President.

I am a single parent of an autistic 6th grader with learning disabilities and ADHD.  I joined the council after witnessing so many kids being denied thier civli rights due to disabilities.  I want to hold our schools accountable to inclusion, service provision and the law. Fun fact: I knit and complete the NYT crossword daily. 

I am a married migrant mother of two teenagers 14 and a 12 year old with Down Syndrome, attending a District 75. school. I joined the Council because I see how the rights of children with disabilities are violated.  I know what it feels like to arrive in a new country, where your language is not spoken, which is a great barrier to access. I want to help all families, especially families who have recently arrived in the country, to empower them to be advocates in their children's education.

I am a dreamer, a Latinx bilingual special education family advocate and a proud single parent of an Autistic child. I am the co-founder of an independent diverse group, Protect NYC Special Education/Proteger la Educación Especial de NYC. As an intimate partner violence survivor, I know first hand, the hardships that families in the temporary housing go through and the impact that may have on their special education. I am passionate in advocating for equitable language access.

I am a parent with a disability that advocates for our 250k students with disabilities in NYC schools. I am a member of P.I.S.T. (Parents To Improve School Transportation) working to pass a Bus Bill of Rights. I am support our families of Students in Temporary Housing, as well as our newest NYs via Project Open Arms. I do this work to share the knowledge I have gained through the harrowing process of navigating student rights to a Free and Approriate Public Education under IDEA.

Dr. Sanayi Beckles-Canton is the mother of six sons, four of whom are neurodivergent. She currently has a son attending a school in District 5.  She has been a parent leader and education activist for more than 10 years, serving families and children throughout New York City.