Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS)

06/16/2026

Excited to see our friends at the Boston Higashi School featured in the Sunday Globe!

05/12/2026

05/11/2026

At our most recent awards event, MAAPS was proud to support local buisness, Chococoa Baking Company & Cafe in Newburyport for our whoopie pie favors! A sweet and special way to thank our guests! AK Photography

05/04/2026

Tara Armstrong, SLP, accepts the Albert E. Trieschman Direct Service Award with White Oak Head of School, Jody Michalski and Cameron Rodak, Curriculum Director. The Helix Human Services and Mill Pond School Team accepts the Excellence in Teaching Award on behalf of this year’s winner, Ronald Rutstein, Special Education Teacher. Pictured are Helix CEO Mark Paglia, MAAPS Executive Director Elizabeth Dello Russo Becker, Michelle Tyer, Principal, MAAPS Director of Membership Amanda Kane, and Director of Education Maria Williams.
Rowley, Mass. – The Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education Schools (MAAPS) celebrated exceptional dedication to special education at its annual meeting and awards ceremony on April 30, recognizing two outstanding professionals for their profound impact on students and school communities.
Richmond resident Ronald Rutstein, a special education teacher at Helix Human Services-Mill Pond School of Richmond, was presented the Excellence in Teaching Award. The award acknowledges superior teaching contributions to special needs students by a classroom teacher whose performance and achievement reflect the high principles of the profession. Over his 20-year career, Rutstein’s trauma-informed approach and integration of hands-on STEM experiences have been instrumental in supporting students with complex social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Rutstein was recognized for consistently designing individualized learning and regulation activities that spark student interest and provide alternative pathways to success. Rutstein regularly participates in local youth-centered programs and collaborative learning communities to continuously strengthen his ability to support neurodiverse learners.
Holyoke resident Tara Armstrong, a speech and language pathologist at White Oak School of Westfield, was presented the Albert E. Trieschman Direct Service Award, acknowledging superior direct service contributions to students by a clinician, specialist or child care worker. Over her 13 years as a direct service practitioner, 6 years at White Oak, Armstrong has embedded herself into the White Oak community, co-teaching alongside faculty and supporting students in natural environments such as hallways and lunch periods. In addition to her clinical role, Armstrong leads neurodiversity-affirming practices, serves as a go-to resource for the use of assistive technology, and actively engages with students beyond the school day, including by leading the after-school fishing club. White Oak School Helix Human Services

04/09/2026

04/08/2026

MAAPS continues to invest in transformative connections, like the powerful impact of colleague to colleague and mentor to mentee relationships. We were proud to gather a special group of leaders in honor of International Women's Day, and to highlight the amazing contributions of Maria Mossaides to our community. Here are just a few of the amazing teams who joined us! (more pictures coming soon!) Andrea Spano AK Photography

03/27/2026

03/06/2026

Thirty MAAPS leaders representing more than 15 schools and programs traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to advocate for special education with Members of Congress and officials from the U.S. Department of Education to advance key legislative priorities such as protecting and fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), defending Medicaid funding for school-based services, raising concerns about the potential workforce impacts on H-1B visa fees and more.

A special thank you to House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (MA), Rep. Richard Neal (MA), Rep. Jim McGovern (MA), Rep. Bill Keating (MA), Rep. Jake Auchincloss (MA), Rep. Seth Moulton (MA), Rep. Lori Trahan (MA), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA), Rep. Joe Courtney (CT), Rep. Johana Hayes (CT), Rep. Jared Huffman (CA), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT), Rep. Gabe Amo (RI), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Sen. Ed Markey (MA), Sen. Susan Collins (ME), Sen. Maggie Hassan (NH), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD), and their staff.

Thank you MAAPS members: Rita Gardner M.P.H., LABA, BCBA, CDE, Lygia Soares, Aaliyah Bannister-Batie, Jody Michalski, Bill Stock, Joe Allred, , Tim McCabe, Bridget Irish, Laura Lajewski, Shaun Cusson, Kathleen Lovenbury, Gerry Pouliot, Helena Maguire, Cheryl White EdD, , Brett Hoffman, , Michael Culhane, , Lawrence E. Sauer, Kimberly Duhanyan, Rick Musiol, Jr. 🏳️‍🌈, Anderson, O'Connor

Thank you MAAPS, O'Neill and Associates, Melmark New England, Merrimac Heights Academy, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network, White Oak School, Seven Hills Foundation, League School for Autism, Cotting School, COMPASS, Community Providers of Adolescent Services, Hillcrest Educational Centers, Crystal Springs, The Home for Little Wanderers, Latham Centers, Inc., St. Ann's Home & School, James F. Farr Academy, Inc, Boston Higashi School, May Institutey Institute

01/30/2026

MAAPS is hiring! Check out this great opportunity for a part time comptroller!

Posted 6:45:32 PM. January 30, 2026 Organization: Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Special Education…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.

12/31/2025

MAAPS "Wrapped" a fun lookback at 2025!