About

Barbara J. Rich

Education

Degrees/Certifications:

  • M.Ed. in Special Education from Boston College
  • Certification in Special Education Administration from Boston College

Recently Attended Special Education Seminars:

  • SPAN Workshops
    • Bureau of Special Education Appeals
    • Neuropsychological evaluations
    • Autism spectrum disorders
    • Anxiety and Depression
  • Dr. Ross Greene on Collaborative Problem Solving
  • Dr. Edward Hallowell on Attention Deficit Disorder
  • Dr. Bessel van der Kolk: Frontier Treatment of Trauma

I am one of the few advocates in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire who has experience as the Director of Special Education for two school systems. After teaching Special Education in the Newton Public Schools, I became Director of Special Education for the Nantucket Public Schools (from 1987 – 1990), and then the Tyngsborough Public Schools (from 1990 – 1998). In 1998 I did my training in Parent Advocacy with The Federation for Children with Special Needs in Boston. I hold membership in SPaN (Special Education Advocacy Network) and regularly attend professional training, workshops and seminars in all areas of Special Education.

I worked for the Massachusetts Department of Special Education, monitoring compliance with Lowell and Malden public school systems.

I hold certification from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health as a Yoga/Meditation teacher in private practice.  My Yoga website is yogafordailyliving.net.

I have 4 adult children and 9 grandchildren.

Choosing an advocate can be a difficult decision and it has been my great fortune to have found Barbara; she has been an amazing advocate for my son and has provided me with much needed support as well.  Barbara brings a wealth of knowledge about the rights of parents/students and the responsibilities of the school for those who are on an IEP, but she also understands the social issues that may come along with a disability.  Barbara not only looks at the academic progress made by the student but cares about how the child is developing overall.  Ensuring my son in enrolled in the correct classes, has appropriate support, and is well cared for in school has become a much easier process with Barbara as part of our team.

Don F.Townsend, MA