Community of Practice for Special Educators Working with Students with Significant Intellectual Disabilities

A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common interest in something they do, meet on a regular basis and seek to improve their practice (Wenger & Traynor, 2015).  

Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities, in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), hosts a monthly Community of Practice for special educators who work primarily with students with significant intellectual disabilities across a variety of educational settings.  

The goal of the CoP for Special Educators Working with Students with Significant Intellectual Disabilities in Rhode Island is to bring educators together to discuss current topics including curriculum, progress monitoring and best practices.  

Though this CoP is geared toward teachers, related service providers are also welcome to join!

Meeting dates for 2026-27

3:45-4:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 23

3:30-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Thursday, Dec.10
Thursday, Jan. 14
Thursday, Feb. 4
Wednesday, March 10
Wednesday, April 7
Thursday, May 6
Thursday, June 3

Registration details and meeting locations will be shared about one month before each meeting. Meetings will be offered virtually or in person throughout the year.

Facilitators

Mary Ann Mello, Education Specialist, Rhode Island Department of Education Office of Student, Community, and Academic Support

Dr. Oscar Hughes, Assistant Professor of Special Education in Severe Intellectual Disability at Rhode Island College and the project coordinator of the Rhode Island Dual Sensory Impairment Project.  

Stefanie Davit, Associate Director, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities