Jennifer Connolly

Jennifer Connolly, PhD, serves as the Executive Director of Specialized Instruction & Exceptional Student Services at Providence Public Schools since July 2021, where responsibilities include leadership for over 4,000 differently abled students in 37 schools and ensuring compliance with relevant laws in special education. Concurrently, Jennifer Connolly has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Rhode Island since September 2013, teaching courses on positive behavior supports and inclusive education for pre-service teachers. Previous experience includes serving as the Director of Special Services at Warwick Public Schools, where significant initiatives included expanding co-taught classrooms, and roles in special education across various schools including Beacon Charter High School and Exeter-West Greenwich Regional Schools. With a PhD in Education specializing in Special Education from URI/RIC and extensive experience in behavioral support and special education, Jennifer Connolly brings a comprehensive background to the field.