About Us

Dana Marie Cincis, EdD. has been an educator for over 15 years. Dana Marie holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She has taught High School History and English Language Arts, as well as High School Special Education. Most recently, she worked as a Team Chairperson for Special Education in both a K-8 School as well as a High School. In this role, she oversaw students both in the Inclusion setting and in a substantially separate program for students with Intellectual disabilities and Autism. Outside of this role, Dana Marie conducted research with youth around the topic of Student Voice and Empowerment. She is interested in including more Student Voice at all levels of Education, including in the Special Education process. She is focused on the inclusion of Student Voice, particularly for students who have been historically marginalized in Education.

Michelle Farrell, MS. Ed. has been an educator for two decades, first at a private school for students on the Autism spectrum and now at a public school. She has worked as a co-teacher in full inclusion classrooms, as a small group math interventionist and for the past 8 years, as the Special Education Team Chairperson for grades K-8, inclusion and substantially separate programs at a large and diverse city school. Equity, inclusion and an emphasis on social justice and social emotional learning are the focal points for Michelle’s work.

Our team is committed to professional development and pursuing opportunities both within and outside of school spaces to ensure that we are advocating for the whole child when we work with your family. We hold the following experiences, awards and certifications (and more):

Massachusetts State Teaching licenses in ELA, History and Moderate Disabilities and Special Needs

Dana Marie and Michelle are members of the National Association of Special Education Teachers

Presenters New Hampshire Family Support Conference

Experience coaching Adaptive Basketball and Adaptive Volleyball

Advisor to High School Gay Straight Alliance

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Certification in Restorative Justice
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Certification in Breathe for Change (trauma informed and accessible yoga instructor)

SEI Endorsement through the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

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2022 Autism Symposium attendees
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Unified Sports school based coordinator
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Special Education Advocate Training by the Collaborative on Racialized Disability

Primary Source Global Educator of the Year 2012

Empowered 2 Advocate’s Why

After working with 1,000s of students and caregivers, it is clear to Michelle and Dana Marie that the special education process can be an overwhelming and confusing journey for those not in the field. Empowered 2 Advocate was born to support and guide caregivers to be strong advocates for their children while keeping a strong team focus and avoiding adversarial tension that can arise when many advocates come into the process. The goal when working with caregivers is to empower them with the knowledge of special education, knowledge of the process, and the confidence to ask the questions necessary to ensure their student is getting the most impactful educational plan due to them to access their education.