Michelle Gohagon

Director
mgohagon@aces.org

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Michelle has a superior depth of knowledge and expertise in the areas of leadership, school improvement, team building, collaboration, and equity that support the best possible outcomes for ACES and our member districts. Michelle leads and supports professional learning within ACES, our region, and in statewide RESC Alliance initiatives.

Carolyn Autore

Office Manager
cautore@aces.org

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Carolyn is responsible for drafting contracts, budget preparation, invoicing and monitoring expenditures. She is the support and logistics hub for PDSI. Carolyn’s work allows for daily communication with internal and external stakeholders and serves as an “information broker” for clients. Her strong customer relationship skills are key to retaining clients for PDSI.

John Gustafson

Project Coordinator
jgustafson@aces.org

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John develops, supports, and manages projects and programs for PDSI. His skills include communicating and collaborating with district and community leaders to expand the reach of programs and services, as well as analyzing systems, processes and procedures as a whole in order to streamline and improve outcomes.

 

Professional Learning Specialists

Francesca Bickel
Special Education, TEAM
 

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Francesca has experience in a multitude of special education delivery models including the inclusive classroom, resource room, and self-contained classroom from the elementary to high school levels. She supports new teachers and TEAM mentors, and supports special education teachers in the shifts required by IEP Quality and CT-SEDS. 

Kimberly Cellini
Early Childhood
 

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Kimberly specializes in all areas of early childhood education. She has robust knowledge of curriculum, assessment, and instruction while maintaining focus on the social and emotional learning needs of young children. In addition, she supports diverse learners and enhances educator practices through coaching and consulting. 

Michelle Dellacamera
Early Childhood

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Michelle comes to ACES with nearly 40 years of Early Childhood experience.  Her experience together with her education complements her passion to support Early Childhood programs and staff in providing quality services to children and families in CT. 

Rosaria Giannetti
ELA, TESOL
 

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Rosaria has over 15 years of experience in elementary education and instructional coaching. Her areas of focus include elementary curriculum development and instruction, K-5 literacy instruction (Science of Reading), teaching multilingual learners, and early childhood education. 

Elba Llantin-Cruz
Bilingual, TESOL, Social Studies

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Elba is passionate about providing schools and districts with creative and innovative instruction to engage all learners using an asset-based approach. Elba is available to support district leadership and staff in the areas of social studies, ESL/bilingual education, world languages, and diversity, equity, & inclusion. 

Lisa Seales
Early Childhood, Science

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Lisa’s areas of expertise include K-8 curriculum development and instruction, instructional coaching, data-informed practices, trauma-informed instruction, and multi-tiered systems of support. Her strength is school systems and structures. She is currently supporting teachers under a Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant. 

Dina Secchiaroli
Cognitive Coaching, CTE

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Dina's areas of expertise include equity-centered practices, literacy and inquiry-based instructional strategies, blended learning, project-based learning, teacher centered instructional data teams, learning walks, curriculum development & revision, instructional coaching and coaching of coaches (certified trainer for Cognitive Coaching). 

Mary Stone
Early Childhood, Special Education

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Mary's expertise in early childhood and special education provides insight into the successes and challenges experienced by early care professionals. Mary is a CT Office of Early Childhood approved consultant and NAEYC facilitator, and provides trainings on CT ELDS, CT DOTS, CKCs and Pyramid Model.  

Jessica White
Math, Restorative Practices

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Jessica’s areas of expertise include research-based strategies for K-12 mathematics teaching and learning, Standards for Mathematical Practices, teacher-centered instructional data teams, differentiation in the math classroom, curriculum writing and revision, equity-oriented instructional practices in the math classroom, and Restorative Practices.