Guiding educators to create inclusive environments that caters to diverse learners
Embedded as integral members of the school’s instructional team, our coaches delve into the unique dynamics of each classroom to develop co-teaching models, foster collaboration among teachers and related service providers, and employ whole-class strategies to support access. They also implement individualized accommodations and modifications tailored to the needs of each student.
10
Years Of Experience
1K+
Beautiful Destinations
4K+
Happy Customers
At G&R Inclusive Group, our mission is to help educators build truly inclusive classrooms where every student is a fully realized member of the instructional community. We teach, listen to, and guide educators in creating inclusive environments that ensure access, foster belonging, and enable students of all abilities to function at their highest potential.
Kristen
Executive Director
& Founder
Heidi
Director of Content and Curriculum
Ellen
Director of Instructional Coaching
Shade
Director of Operations
Jennifer
Project Manager & Instructional Coach
Jessica
Instructional Coach
Haley
Instructional Coach
Kate
Instructional Coach
Nicole
Instructional Coach
Colleen
Instructional Coach
Erica
Instructional Coach
Jeanette
Instructional Coach
Andrea
Instructional Coach
Email us at info@gr-inclusivegroup.com
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G & R Inclusive Group LLC Ⓒ 2024. All rights reserved.
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Erica Wiener is a special education teacher licensed in grades one through six. Before coming to G&R, Erica spent much of her teaching career supporting students and teachers within New York City’s District 75 network. In this capacity, Erica taught in small class settings, co-taught larger classrooms, supported students via both push-in and pull-out models, and coached teachers working in these same capacities across elementary, middle, and high schools in the five boroughs. Erica has worked with students with a range of abilities and disability classifications and those who participate in both standard and alternate assessment. Erica is most motivated by and proud of her successes in creating content, assignments, and tasks accessible and meaningful to all students in different ways.
Erica received her Bachelor of Science in communication from Cornell University and went on to start a successful career working in the advertising industry. She then made a career change, joining the New York City Teaching Fellows and receiving a master’s degree in special education from Pace University. Erica lives in Westchester, New York with her husband, two daughters, and their puppy. She spends her free time reading, playing tennis, exercising at Orangetheory, playing Mahjong and Canasta, and traveling. She can also be found relaxing on the couch, happily watching a movie with her family.
Email: erica@gr-inclusivegroup.com
Jeanette is a passionate, values and results-driven leader with over two decades of public service professional experience. She is an attorney and successful middle school humanities and bilingual educator who firmly believes in the power and promise of public education to be an avenue for racial and social justice. She deeply values the cultural wealth of BIPOC children and enacting progressive child-centered pedagogy. She is a constructivist pedagogue and servant-leader skilled in creating transformative learning environments where all children can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically by designing, facilitating, and assessing high-quality learning experiences for students and adults.
Jeanette holds a Master of Education in educational leadership from Bank Street College of Education, a Master of Studies in bilingual childhood education from Fordham University, a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in public policy and urban studies from the City University of New York. She holds New York professional certifications in bilingual education & childhood education (Grades 1-6) and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Jeanette was married in September 2023 to Dr. Michael Harrigan and has a blended family including three daughters, a son, five grandchildren, a soon to arrive great-grandson, two cats and a dog. She enjoys traveling, yoga, skiing, candle and soap making, and spending quality time with family.
Email: jeanette@gr-inclusivegroup.com
Andrea Gardner is a bilingual special educator, leader, and global advocate for inclusive education, restorative justice, and youth empowerment, dedicated to breaking down barriers for students with disabilities worldwide and bridging the global achievement gap. As a first-generation college student and graduate of Columbia University, Andrea experienced firsthand the transformative power of education in her own life.
Andrea holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international human rights from Columbia University, and both a master’s degree in childhood education with an emphasis on learning and behavioral disabilities and dual certification in general and special education from Hunter College.
Andrea is a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion having worked in various roles within district and charter schools in New York City and Washington, DC. She got her start in education in New York City serving as a special education teacher in an integrated co-teaching classroom and a Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETSS) provider in the South Bronx.
Andrea holds specific training and expertise in K-12 inclusive practices, restorative justice practices for schools, neurodiversity, literacy, learning and cognition, and social-emotional learning and development.
When she isn’t working, Andrea loves spending time with her friends and family. She is an empanada (and coffee!) enthusiast and enjoys yoga, hiking, and trying to keep houseplants alive.
Email: andrea@gr-inclusivegroup.com
Nicole has ten years of teaching experience in New York City and New Jersey and eight years of ICT co-teaching experience in both elementary and middle school environments. She is a case manager and special education teacher for a student with multiple and complex learning needs and managed the team of providers that supported this student in the classroom and at home.
Nicole’s areas of expertise include the use of assistive technology to increase access for students with disabilities, co-teaching across multiple content areas in the secondary environment, project-based learning, interdisciplinary curriculum planning, co-planning with a lens of including and representing the diverse backgrounds of all the learners in a 21st century classroom, and academically rigorous environments.
Nicole holds a Master of Science in general and special education from Bank Street College of Education, is certified in both special and general education New Jersey and New York, and is an Orton-Gillingham certified teacher.
Nicole lives in New Jersey with her children ages 17 and 23. She loves to work out at the gym, guide and support athletes with disabilities in races and events as a part of Achilles NJ, and sing regularly with the Purple Glove band.
Email: nicole@gr-inclusivegroup.com
Kate grew up in Philadelphia where she began working with children at a young age. After graduating college, Kate taught children with a variety of special needs in self-contained settings in Philadelphia, and after being offered a position at a school that aligned with her beliefs about inclusion, Kate moved to New York City. For nearly 20 years, Kate worked in the South Bronx both as a teacher and as Director of Special Education and English as a New Language in inclusive settings. Her work has granted her broader advocacy opportunities on both the local and national levels with New York City Department of Education’s special education working group: The Collaborative for Inclusive Education, the national campaign for highest-needs students, and The Center for Learner Equity. She is also an adjunct professor of special education at Villanova University.
Kate has earned a Bachelor of Science in early, elementary, and special education from Temple University, a Master of Special Education in early childhood special education from Fordham University, and an advanced certificate in educational administration from Stony Brook University.
Email: kateh@gr-inclusivegroup.com
Ellen has spent her career committed to the goal of providing inclusive educational opportunities for all students. For more than 30 years, Ellen has served as a special education teacher, principal, and administrator, working to address the academic and behavioral needs of struggling learners as well as students who have been classified as disabled. For the past 25 years, Ellen has developed workshops and coaching programs to support inclusive educational practice in schools in New York City and the surrounding area. In addition, she has provided support and technical assistance to administrators across New York City to ensure that school-wide systems are in place to support the behavioral and academic needs and strengths of all students.
Ellen received a master’s in special education from Georgia State University and a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University in curriculum and teaching.
Email: ellen@gr-inclusivegroup.com
With over 15 years working as a professional educator across three states, Haley brings a breadth of experience, including classroom teacher in inclusive classrooms, member of multidisciplinary assessment teams, special education administrator, and instructional coach. Haley’s focus is always on providing a quality inclusive experience for all students. Her educational philosophy is rooted in making data-based decisions and selecting and developing superior curricula.
Haley holds dual bachelor’s degrees in elementary and special education and a master’s degree in curriculum studies with focuses on literacy and reading. She is certified with the Orton-Gillingham Association as a classroom teacher and associate
Email: haley@gr-inclusivegroup.com
Colleen has nine years of teaching experience as a special education teacher focusing on teaching in inclusive classrooms in Hawaii, Alabama, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. She enjoys creating adaptive materials to support specific students in the inclusive classroom, focusing on specific goals to create access for students who teachers feel are not accessing the curriculum. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology special education from Marist College and a master’s degree in literacy from Canisius College.
Colleen is currently enjoying living on Long Island with her husband and three children. She loves being outside and especially enjoys spending time at the beach with her family.
Email: colleen@gr-inclusivegroup.com
With over 19 years of experience in education, Jennifer maintains a student-centered, thoughtful approach in all of her roles and believes strongly in reflective practices and the importance of communication and collaboration. Jennifer began her career as a high school teacher in suburban Rochester, NY, most notably piloting an innovative ICT setting that included additional support through a block schedule. She currently advocates for students as an ICT teacher in inclusive settings in New York City public and charter schools. She also supports social studies and special education teachers and students as an instructional coach and department chair by creating and delivering targeted professional development, analyzing data, observing, modeling lessons, and providing ongoing feedback. Jennifer’s roles also include mentor teacher, member of instructional leadership, school implementation, and school leadership teams, advisory teacher, and student activities coordinator.
Most recently, Jennifer taught at a New York City transfer school where she strengthened instructional practices to consider and differentiate for all learners through embedded structures and student choice. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in social studies education and history and a Master of Arts in history from SUNY Cortland.
Email: jennifer@gr-inclusivegroup.com
Shade is at the heart of all G&R Inclusive’s daily activities and keeps everything running smoothly for staff and clients. She has worked as a property manager, a chief stewardess on private yachts, and a pre-kindergarten teacher. Though widely varied, each of her previous jobs has honed the organizational, communication, and bookkeeping skills required by her current position at G&R.
Shade is a native of Arkansas and currently resides in south Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi. In her spare time, she enjoys home entertaining and decorating, traveling with her husband, and being out on the water.
Email: shade@gr-inclusivegroup.com
For the past 15 years, Jessica has dedicated herself to supporting students with disabilities in inclusive settings in both private and public New York City schools. As a special education teacher, Jessica taught in collaborative (ICT) classrooms for several years and supported students as a Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETSS) provider in least restrictive environments. As a mentor, she has supported teachers with the implementation of differentiated instruction and classroom management, and as an intervention facilitator, she has overseen the academic interventions for at-risk students.
Jessica has been with G&R for nearly five years as the director of content for inclusive practices and an instructional coach. She regularly consults in schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Westchester County. Jessica has developed and led workshops on various inclusive education topics throughout New York City and in Westchester County school districts. She particularly enjoys helping teachers problem-solve to keep students in their least restrictive environment, creating adaptive materials to support differentiated instruction, developing classroom and school-wide systems for IEP data collection, and supporting school-wide structures for intervention and teacher collaboration.
Jessica received her undergraduate degree in developmental psychology from Sarah Lawrence College and her Master of Education with certification in special education from Bank Street Graduate School of Education. At home, Jessica enjoys reading, cooking, and being outside with her husband and two daughters.
Email: jessica@gr-inclusivegroup.com
With a steadfast devotion to the New York City public school system spanning 45 years, Kristen has left an indelible mark as a beacon of inclusive education. Her journey, intricately interwoven with the fabric of G&R Inclusive Group’s history, embodies a tireless pursuit of educational equity and empowerment.
Kristen’s passion for inclusive education germinated during her tenure as a student and blossomed through her multifaceted roles as a teacher, inclusive classroom educator, and professional development provider. Her experiences at the renowned Jowonio School in Syracuse and mentorship at Syracuse University laid the groundwork for her career.
As the founder of G&R Inclusive Group, Kristen’s vision has propelled the organization to the forefront of the educational landscape in the New York City Tri-State area. Her collaborative efforts with Allison Rutherford culminated in the establishment of GoldMansour & Rutherford, a testament to their shared commitment to inclusivity and innovation.
Throughout her distinguished career, Kristen’s impact has reverberated far beyond the confines of the classroom. Her expertise in early childhood education, honed through years of hands-on experience and academic pursuits, has been instrumental in creating barrier-free instructional settings and fostering positive behavioral supports for students.
Kristen holds a Master’s of Science in Education from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Syracuse University . Her accolades, including the prestigious Bank Street Early Childhood Education award, and her role as adjunct faculty at CUNY Hunter College, underscore her status in the field. Her collaborations with esteemed institutions such as Columbia University’s Teachers College Inclusive Classroom Project have further solidified her reputation as a trailblazer in inclusive education.
Kristen’s advocacy for inclusivity has touched the lives of countless educators and students, inspiring transformative change in schools across the region. Her dynamic approach to professional development has empowered educators to create and sustain effective inclusive programs, paving the way for a more equitable future in education.
Beyond her professional achievements, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is an avid baker, movie watcher, and beach lover.
Email: kristen@gr-inclusivegroup.com
Heidi Altescu, PhD is an experienced general and specialized education teacher with a background in inclusive and restrictive classrooms from elementary to high school settings and adult support. She has worked with public and charter schools in California, Oregon, and New York, on creating the best possible inclusive practices. She is a firm believer that ALL kids can learn in child centered, collaborative approaches.
Heidi holds multiple degrees. She graduated with her PhD in developmental psychology from the Graduate Center, City University of New York. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in speech therapy & audiology from Florida State University, and has dual teaching credentials from San Diego State University, and a Masters of Science in vocational special education from San Francisco State University.
Heidi has created and taught classes at City University of New York, and Brooklyn College in the special education department and child studies department respectfully. Heidi is a member of ASCD, AERA, TASH, and SDS.
In her free time, Heidi enjoys being with her family and new puppy.
Email: heidi@gr-inclusivegroup.com