CONCORD – Executive Director Barrett M. Christina is pleased to announce Rebecca Forrestall has been chosen as the new director of Governmental Relations.

“We are thrilled to have Rebecca join our team and wish her the best of luck as she starts this next chapter in her career,” Executive Director Christina said. “She’s proven to be a skilled leader and dedicated advocate for the students she works with, and will be a valuable asset for all of our school members throughout New Hampshire in her new role.”

Forrestall currently works as the director of Student Services for the Hopkinton School District, where she oversees different programs for students at all grade levels such as special education, nursing services, school counseling and early intervention/integrated preschool programs. She’s identified and helped to budget for professional learning opportunities for teachers in the district, and helped to develop and implement strategic plans. She also serves as co-chair of the Legislative Committee for the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators, where she reviewed and tracked legislation, and advocated to represent and support the best interests of the organization during various legislative hearings and commissions, and state board of education meetings.

Prior to that, Forrestall worked as the associate director of Student Services for the Kearsarge Regional School District from 2015 to 2018; the Special Education director for the John Stark Regional School District from 2010 to 2015; the director of Student Services for the Candia School District from 2008 to 2010; a special education facilitator for the Goffstown School District from 2000 to 2008; a special education teacher for the Goffstown School District from 1998 to 2000; and an educational program coordinator and classroom teacher for the Neurobehavioral Program at the Spaulding Youth Center from 1995 to 1998.

Forrestall holds a master’s degree in education and emotional and behavioral disorders from Rivier College in Nashua, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and general special education from Keene State College, and a certificate of advanced graduate studies in educational leadership from Southern New Hampshire University in Hooksett.

She is a New Hampshire certified special education administrator and superintendent, and has also received state certification for emotional and behavioral disorders, general special education and elementary education.

She is an active member of the International Association of Special Education, and works collaboratively with special educators worldwide to create and sustain inclusive opportunities for all people with disabilities, including working directly with new special education teachers in Lushoto, Tanzania and with Leave No Girl Behind International in South Africa.

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