Educators of Inclusion

The ICSD Educators of Inclusion (EI), staff members who provide clerical support to the EIs, and Department Leaders are listed below. To connect with other support professionals, such as social workers, occupational therapists, and psychiatrists at your child's school, please visit the school website or contact the building principal.

District Contact

Jennifer Gondek
Director of Special Education
jennifer.gondek@icsd.k12.ny.us
(607) 274-2264

Early Childhood Contact

Deb Jordan
Educator of Inclusion
djordan@icsd.k12.ny.us
(607) 277-3060

Elementary Contacts

Secondary Contacts

What is an Educator of Inclusion?

Every school in the Ithaca City School District is assigned an Educator of Inclusion, who works to provide support to our learning communities - engaging and empowering all students.

Broadly, the role of the Educator of Inclusion is to:

  • manage the development and implementation of the district’s inclusion plan;

  • ensure quality professional development in inclusive practices, culturally responsive teaching and leadership, and family engagement practices;

  • implement restorative practices across the district;

  • serve as the CSE/504 Chair for their assigned building(s);

  • increase job-embedded professional development using non-evaluative instructional rounds;

  • strengthen inclusive instructional practices (i.e., culturally responsive teaching, flexible groupings, co-teaching) for all students by adding resources to buildings;

  • collaborate as a member of instructional leadership team; and

  • build relationships with students, staff, and families.