The Haverhill Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will hold an online meeting on Monday, January 11, 2021, at 6 pm via Zoom to introduce the Interim Special Education Director Deborah Ibanez and Assistant Special Education Director Forreste Lombard. Registration is required.
UPDATE: The following is the recording of the January 11, 2021, Haverhill Special Education Parent Advisory Council meeting with Interim Special Education Director Deborah Ibanez and Assistant Special Education Director Forreste Lombard.
Deborah Ibanez
Deborah Ibanez, Interim Director of Special Education, has 21 years of experience in education. She has worked in special education, general education, and as an administrator.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., her master’s degree in special education from Salem State University, and her CAGS degree from American International College in educational leadership. In addition to working in public schools, Ms. Ibanez has worked at a Chapter 766 school, specializing in complex special education disabilities.
Ms. Ibanez is married, has two adult children and two cats, Checkers and Oscar She enjoys time at the beach, reading historical fiction, and traveling. Ms. Ibanez started working for the Haverhill Public Schools in 2018, and she is enjoying the wealth of programs and opportunities the children in the district can access.
Forreste Lombard
Forreste Lombard, M.Ed., BCBA, LABA, and Licensed Special Education Administrator, earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood special education and communication sciences from the University of Vermont in 2007.
Ms. Lombard began working in the educational field as a behavior therapist at the Howard Center through its Autism Spectrum Program. While working, she obtained her master’s degree with high honors in early childhood education and administration at Champlain College.
Additionally, Ms. Lombard studied with the Florida Institute of Technology’s Graduate Professional Development program and completed her coursework to become a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), as well as obtaining her certificate in organizational behavior management (OBM), which is a sub-discipline of applied behavior analysis (ABA) dedicated to the application of behavior analytic principles within organizational settings.
Ms. Lombard, who began working in the Haverhill Public Schools in early 2020, has enjoyed all of the diverse ages and populations she has experienced so far and looks forward to growing, supporting, and learning with her colleagues going forward.