Patrice Grande
Patrice has been employed by the Northshore Education Consortium since 1993 when she was hired as the School-to-Work Transition Coordinator to service high school students with disabilities within the Consortium and local school districts. Since 1993 over 600 students with disabilities have been placed in jobs and/or internships.

In 2000 Patrice was appointed the Embark Program Director. She created the Embark Program with two of her colleagues, Janis Collamore and James Goodwin based on feedback from students with disabilities who wanted to pursue their education beyond high school at college. The post high school program that was developed includes an applied functional curriculum, social skills training, travel training, community-based instruction, job development and training in a college setting. As the Vocational Director for NEC she oversees and consults on the vocational /career activities within the Consortium as well as the local school districts that have contracted services.

Patrice's career has been devoted to the education and well-being of children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities. Her career began at Lakeside School where she was a special education teacher. She co-created the White House / Life Skills/Prevocational Program for 24 students. A multi-disciplinary team developed a "hands-on" curriculum to meet the needs of these students. At the Greater Lawrence Educational Collaborative Patrice was hired a special education teacher for the VISIONS Program which was housed at Methuen High School. She worked with other VISIONS staff as a pioneer in mainstreaming students within classes and activities in the building. Patrice worked part time for Health and Education Services for 10 years as an Outreach Clinician for individuals with disabilities.

Her professional activities include: guest lecturing at Lesley University, North Shore Community College, University of Massachusetts/Boston, and the North Shore ARC, member of the Northeast Regional Technical Assistance Transition Training Team, Northeast Regional Transition Trainer (MOEC), and member of the Regional Advisory Council for the Massachusetts Department of Education.

When Patrice is not working she enjoys boating, cooking, reading, and traveling.

Degrees:
University of Massachusetts/Boston
M Ed. (Rehab. Counseling)

Fitchburg State College
M Ed. (Special Education)

Northeastern University
Bachelor of Science (Elem. Ed., Reading)

Certifications:
Mass. Certifications: Special Education, Elementary Education, Reading, and Director

National Certification: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRCC)