Margaret Farruggio is a knowledgeable educational professional with 20+ years of district-wide experience particularly with special education and educational services for students on the margins. She has conducted professional development in topics including alternative dispute resolution, inclusive practices, IDEA/Special Education compliance, and facilitated cross-divisional meetings in alignment with federal and state grants. She has served as a Special Education Director, Court Schools Administrator, and special education teacher.

Margaret is a life-long learner who has championed access and equity for students with disabilities and African-American/Black students. Her years of experience are steeped in partnering with parents to build trust and to develop understanding for the African American students’ and families’ experience. She is active with university driven research projects rooted in unpacking the systems, structures and beliefs that resist change and perpetuate poor outcomes for African-American students and students with disabilities. Margaret holds Master of Arts degrees in Education Policy from the University of California, Berkeley and in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of San Francisco, in addition to multiple credentials.