Cargiver Award
Samantha Deschenes
Henry and Samantha Deschenes have been married for 16 years and have been together since high school. They are the parents to four amazing children. Their youngest child Desmond was born with an ultra rare TUBB2B genetic mutation. This genetic mutation caused him to medically fragile and to have a significant developmental delay. Samantha has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently working as Desmond’s Complex Care Assistant. Henry has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and left his accounting career for a more flexible career in order to be there for his family. He currently owns a YouTube channel ZenTradeGame where he focuses on serene thoughts, financial growth, and gaming. As a family we all enjoying going on accessible adventures and making lasting memories together.
Henry Deschenes
Henry and Samantha Deschenes have been married for 16 years and have been together since high school. They are the parents to four amazing children. Their youngest child Desmond was born with an ultra rare TUBB2B genetic mutation. This genetic mutation caused him to medically fragile and to have a significant developmental delay. Samantha has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently working as Desmond’s Complex Care Assistant. Henry has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and left his accounting career for a more flexible career in order to be there for his family. He currently owns a YouTube channel ZenTradeGame where he focuses on serene thoughts, financial growth, and gaming. As a family we all enjoying going on accessible adventures and making lasting memories together.
Latanya Handford
Parent/SEPAC president
Latanya R. Little Handford is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in computer science and engineering, where she has built a respected career grounded in innovation, precision, and leadership. Her professional expertise is matched by her deep commitment to service, faith, and family — the guiding values that define every aspect of her life. A devoted wife and proud mother of a 13-year-old, Latanya balances her professional success with an unwavering dedication to her family and her community. Born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, she has always believed in the power of giving back. Latanya has long been active with the A.M.E.N. Program (A Meal Encourages Nourishment) in her hometown — a charitable initiative focused on providing meals and resources to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Her volunteer work there exemplifies her lifelong mission to serve others with compassion and dignity. Now residing in Springfield, Massachusetts, Latanya continues her community engagement through multiple organizations dedicated to empowerment and equity. She is an active member of the Junior League of Springfield, whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. The League’s vision — to improve the lives of children and families — aligns perfectly with Latanya’s personal calling to strengthen and uplift those around her. Latanya is also a proud member of the Daughters of the Imperial Court, the women’s auxiliary of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.E.A.O.N.M.S.) of North and South America and Its Jurisdictions, Inc. Established in 1910, the Imperial Court unites the female relatives of Prince Hall Shriners in a common bond of friendship, charity, benevolence, honor, and integrity, symbolized by the legend of the Egyptian Goddess Isis. Through this organization, Latanya supports initiatives in education and scholarship, health and wellness, special needs, youth and young adult mentoring, and voter education. She is deeply committed to programs that emphasize public information, community involvement, and economic development, and she takes great pride in helping to create opportunities for women to grow as leaders, thinkers, and change-makers. In addition, Latanya is a Past President of the Order of the Eastern Star, a women’s organization rooted in faith, hope, and charity, dedicated to strengthening communities through service and sisterhood. She also volunteers frequently at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and is an active member of the Urban League Guild of Union County, New Jersey, where she contributes to initiatives promoting racial equality, education, and economic empowerment. Faith plays a central role in Latanya’s life. She is a dedicated member of Restoration Church in Springfield, where she participates in ministry and outreach programs focused on youth and family development. Her passion for education and advocacy extends to her current role as President of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) for Baystate Academy Charter Public School, where she works collaboratively with educators, families, and administrators to support the needs and success of all students. Throughout her career and community service, Latanya R. Little Handford has embodied the values of leadership, compassion, and integrity. Whether in the boardroom, the classroom, or the community, she continues to inspire others through her unwavering commitment to faith, family, and the belief that true success is measured by the lives we touch and the change we create.
James Cressy
Education Department Chair
Dr. Cressey is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Education Department at Framingham State University. He was the center's first coordinator in 2020-21. His scholarship and teaching are focused on inclusion and equity through evidence-based inclusive practices such as universal design for learning, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and multi-tiered systems of support. Before coming to FSU, Dr. Cressey worked directly with children and families for several years as a licensed special educator and nationally certified school psychologist at Wediko Children’s Services and in the Boston Public Schools. He lives in Framingham with his husband and daughter and enjoys spending time with his family and friends, singing and playing musical instruments, cooking, and knitting.
Edith Bazile
Chair,Boston SEPAC
Edith Bazile served in various roles in Boston Public Schools, Speech/Language Pathologist, Lead special education teacher, Program Manager for Secondary English language Arts & Literacy, and Senior Program Director of Professional Development, Special Education. She is an educational consultant, and special education advocate. Edith received a Service Excellence Award from Boston Public Schools, and merit status from teaching in UMASS-Boston’s Graduate School of Education. She designed and taught courses in the Boston Teacher Residency Program, and Boston Public Schools’ Pathway Program. Edith was saluted by the Boston Globe for her work in education justice, and was awarded an Official Resolution by the Boston City Council in recognition of her “lifetime commitment to fight for racial equity.” Edith presented at Harvard Graduate School of Education Askwith Forum on the need to increase the Black Educators, and at the American Educational Research Association AERA national conference, “The Powers and Possibilities for Public Good.” She is past president of Black Educators Alliance of Massachusetts and founder of Black Advocates for Educational Excellence, LLC. She serves as Chair of Boston’s Special Education Parent’s Advisory Council (SpEdPAC), serves on the Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education’s Special Education Advisory Panel as well as numerous boards and steering committees. Edith is a freelance writer, poet, and enjoys powerlifting.
Therese Ajtum-Roberts
Center Coordinator
Therese Ajtum-Roberts has devoted most of her career to creating inclusive, equitable, and engaging learning environments. For nearly twenty years, she has supported educators' use of technology, backwards design, and UDL principles to create a responsive, equitable, and inclusive curriculum for all learners. Therese's research interests focus on faculty and in-service teachers' professional development, teaching with technology, and how teachers create responsive, equitable, and inclusive learning environments. Therese is currently serving on the Board of the New England Educational Research Organization as Conference Director and Technology in Education Strand Director.
James Cressy
Education Department Chair
Dr. Cressey is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Education Department at Framingham State University. He was the center's first coordinator in 2020-21. His scholarship and teaching are focused on inclusion and equity through evidence-based inclusive practices such as universal design for learning, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and multi-tiered systems of support. Before coming to FSU, Dr. Cressey worked directly with children and families for several years as a licensed special educator and nationally certified school psychologist at Wediko Children’s Services and in the Boston Public Schools. He lives in Framingham with his husband and daughter and enjoys spending time with his family and friends, singing and playing musical instruments, cooking, and knitting.
Beth Bergstorm
Assistant Program Manager, PPAL
Beth Bergstrom is a resilient and compassionate single mother, navigating the extraordinary journey of raising three children that include a set of twins and a young adult, each with their own unique disabilities. Her days are a testament to unwavering love, patience, and an unyielding commitment to ensuring her children thrive despite the challenges they face. Beth's strength lies not only in her ability to provide unconditional love and support her kids but also in her role as a fierce and respected advocate for children with special needs. Through her lived experiences, she has become a powerful voice within the community, working to raise awareness, break down barriers, and promote inclusivity for all children, with all different abilities. In her living expertise Beth highlights gender, medical complex trauma, recovery, unnecessary court/trauma, and the shift to be both self empowered and shared decision making support. In the face of adversity, Beth has transformed her role as a single mom into that of a beacon of hope and resilience. Her advocacy extends beyond her immediate family that includes the work as Assistant Program Manager at PPAL that touches the lives of many in the community who look to her for guidance and inspiration. With a heart full of empathy and a determination to make a difference, Beth Bergstrom stands as a trailblazer in the ability to show up for all families, professionals, and system staff in discussing what is needed for parents. Beth has the ability to take her experience from working in early childhood , education and now within starting new programming for families as a talent and mover and shaker in the work. Beth’s experience, professional partnerships and most of all living expertise creates space for many to come together, shift to be family driven and radically step into the gap on behalf of a child, youth or family
Therese Ajtum-Roberts
Center Coordinator
Therese Ajtum-Roberts has devoted most of her career to creating inclusive, equitable, and engaging learning environments. For nearly twenty years, she has supported educators' use of technology, backwards design, and UDL principles to create a responsive, equitable, and inclusive curriculum for all learners. Therese's research interests focus on faculty and in-service teachers' professional development, teaching with technology, and how teachers create responsive, equitable, and inclusive learning environments. Therese is currently serving on the Board of the New England Educational Research Organization as Conference Director and Technology in Education Strand Director.