Christina Foti, Chief of Special Education for the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS)
Summary of Presentation:
Christina Foti and Suzanne Sanchez will present an overview of Special Education services in New York City, a summary of the new Bold Reimagining Special Education initiative, and share details of an innovative program in the Related Services department that aims to provide adaptive equipment (like walkers and wheelchairs) for students with disabilities.
Christina Foti serves as the Chief of Special Education for the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), overseeing initiatives impacting over 270,000 students and families across various sectors. During her tenure, Foti has led initiatives aimed at improving the educational experience for students with disabilities. These initiatives include establishing free sensory spaces, creating Transition and College Access Centers, expanding preschool special education programs, and organizing the city’s first personalized learning symposium for students with disabilities. Under Foti’s leadership, specialized programs for students with autism, intellectual disabilities, physical accessibility needs, and bilingual special education needs have significantly expanded. Christina’s leadership at the Special Education Office has garnered international recognition, providing the New York City Public Schools with opportunities for collaboration with global leaders and educators. Notably, she represented NYCPS at the UNESCO International Forum on Inclusion and Equity in Education, facilitating discussions on innovative policies and practices to promote inclusion and equity in education worldwide. Before joining the Special Education Office, Foti served as the principal of P.S. 231K, recognized for its innovative approach by being designated as a “Showcase School.” Foti holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies from Vassar College, a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the City University of New York, and a Postgraduate Degree in Education Leadership from Hunter College. Currently, she is pursuing doctoral studies at Columbia University’s Teachers College.
Biography for Suzanne Sanchez:
Suzanne Sanchez, Senior Executive Director of Related Services, oversees all speech, occupational, and physical therapists as well as the assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication teams. Suzanne has been with NYCPS since 1996, as a scholarship recipient to the occupational therapy program. Since that time, Suzanne has spearheaded many grass-roots efforts leading to systemic changes in NYC Public Schools in the arena of school-based therapy services. Notably, Suzanne has led and developed in-house evaluation teams, best practice guidelines, and now leads the nation’s largest multi-disciplinary therapy team encompassing a total of 7500 occupational, physical and speech therapists who provide direct services to students with disabilities. Under the leadership of Chief Foti, the Office of Related Services has implemented the nationally recognized SEED program (sensory gyms supporting students with autism previously available only to those families who were able to pay privately), Saturday Academy where students receive therapy services, including hands-on assistive technology training and parent trainings. Suzanne and her team lead with a student-family, strength-based approach to reimagining special education in NYC.Summary of Presentation:
Christina Foti and Suzanne Sanchez will present an overview of Special Education services in New York City, a summary of the new Bold Reimagining Special Education initiative, and share details of an innovative program in the Related Services department that aims to provide adaptive equipment (like walkers and wheelchairs) for students with disabilities. Please see the attached flier for an example of some of the work of the adaptive equipment team.