Ivy Street
Tara Elwell is an experienced education professional with a robust background in special education and leadership roles. Currently serving as the Director of Educational Operations at Ivy Street since April 2014, Tara has also held positions as a Lead Special Education Teacher and a Special Education Teacher within the same organization. Previous experience includes working as a Behavioral Therapist at Boston Behavior Learning Centers from December 2017 to August 2020 and as an Associate Teacher at Bright Horizons from June 2013 to April 2014. Tara's educational qualifications include a Post-Master's Certificate in Transition Leadership from UMass Boston (2021-2023), a Master's degree in Secondary Special Education and Transition Services from The George Washington University (2015-2018), and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Women and Gender Studies from Suffolk University (2011-2014).
Ivy Street
Ivy Street is committed to advancing equity and access for young people. We offer a small, year-round, day and residential special education school in Brookline, Massachusetts, serving public school students across the northeast. We drive community and real-world learning through two unique residential programs, a high school and our post-secondary and transition program, so that every young person is prepared to step into adulthood with the tools needed to achieve their greatest independence. Additionally, through our Skills for Life program, we support in-home skill development for young adults. Using a lens of disability justice, we support the whole child through a student-first model driven by collaboration, a willingness to think big, and a commitment to knowing our students well. Our multidisciplinary team creates rich and meaningful experiences that decrease isolation, cultivate healing, and nurture learning. Finally, we offer caregivers support in skill-building and healing so that every young person can launch their vision for their lives with the supports and experiences to thrive.