Meet BSE's Co-Presidents
Ari Broad, M.S. - Founder
Ari Broad, the founder of Broad Spectrum Education, is distinguished not only by her academic and professional achievements but also by her neurodivergence, with co-diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Her personal experiences navigating the complexities of neurodivergence have instilled in her a deep commitment to mentoring neurodivergent students and advocating for educational environments that celebrate diverse cognitive processes.
Ari is currently pursuing her doctorate in Psychology with a concentration in cognitive sciences at Cornell University, where her research focuses on early detection of neurodivergence through AI-driven analytics of participant questionnaires and employing therapeutic intervention methods to bolster academic success amongst neurodivergent folks.
Other notable accomplishments of Ari's include her leadership tenure as the Executive Vice Chair for Operations at Cornell University's 2023 - 2024 University Assembly. Here Ari navigated the political landscape of higher education, advocating for policies that support inclusivity and equality. Her efforts extend beyond campus borders; Ari has been actively involved in lobbying to increase education funding for underrepresented minorities and disabled students through her advocacy work with Cornell University on Capitol Hill, where she lobbied for increased funding for the NIH/NSF, underscoring her dedication to enhancing support and opportunities for students in the realms of research and education.
Ari holds a B.S. from Florida State University (Biological and Chemical Sciences) and an M.S. from Cornell University (Biochemistry). Ari enjoys practicing her executive function skills by playing the video game Stardew Valley and crocheting hand-made gifts for all her loved ones.
Chris Casler-Gonçalves, Ed.D.
Chris comes to Broad Spectrum Education with nearly 20 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, adviser, and program developer in both K-12 and higher education settings. Chris is a master teacher, an expert in inclusive instructional design, a nationally recognized adviser, and a committed advocate for neurodivergent, disabled, and minoritized students' rights, access, agency, and mobility.
Chris identifies as neurodivergent himself (ADHD), and he is the proud father of an autistic second grader. His experience has left him with a deep understanding of the struggles that neurodivergent students and their families experience as they navigate our education system, as well as the challenges teachers and schools face when planning to meet the needs of neurodivergent learners. For Chris, the BSE model is a critical, positive innovation in the education industry, and is poised to affect powerful change, at both the individual and systems levels.
Chris leverages his expertise and experience to oversee BSE's curriculum development, teacher training program, Educational Counselors, and strategic education partnerships. Additionally, Chris acts as an adviser to the BSE President and Executive Committee on strategic direction.
Chris holds a BA from Dartmouth College (Psychological and Brain Sciences), an MA from Seton Hall University (Educational Leadership, Management, & Policy), and an EdD from New York University (Leadership & Innovation). Chris enjoys learning the guitar, playing golf, cooking, watching baseball, and spending time with his family.
Meet the Rest of the BSE Team
Kelsie Strom - Vice President of Operations
Kelsie Strom - Vice President of Operations
Kelsie Strom - Vice President of Operations
Vice President of Operations
With over five years of field experience in project management and team leadership spanning various industries, Kelsie Strom is a seasoned professional known for her adeptness at task delegation and organizational prowess. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, Kelsie is set to graduate in the fall of 2
Vice President of Operations
With over five years of field experience in project management and team leadership spanning various industries, Kelsie Strom is a seasoned professional known for her adeptness at task delegation and organizational prowess. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, Kelsie is set to graduate in the fall of 2025. Her academic pursuits parallel her practical experiences, fostering a well-rounded skill set that encompasses both theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise. Post-graduation, Kelsie is committed to furthering her education, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a passion for continuous learning. This combination of academic dedication and real-world experience positions Kelsie as a dynamic and forward-thinking leader capable of navigating complex challenges and driving impactful change.
Dustin Weiss - Vice President of Finance
Kelsie Strom - Vice President of Operations
Kelsie Strom - Vice President of Operations
Vice President of Finance
Dustin Weiss brings a solid foundation in finance, backed by a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University, earned in 2022. Currently on track to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) candidate by the end of 2024, Dustin is poised to obtain his CPA license shortly thereafter, further bolstering
Vice President of Finance
Dustin Weiss brings a solid foundation in finance, backed by a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University, earned in 2022. Currently on track to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) candidate by the end of 2024, Dustin is poised to obtain his CPA license shortly thereafter, further bolstering his credentials. His dedication to pursuing professional certifications underscores his commitment to excellence in financial management and accounting practices.
Driven by a genuine passion for financial analytics and accounting principles, Dustin possesses a sharpened analytical acumen that enables him to navigate complex financial landscapes with precision and foresight. His academic background coupled with his practical experience positions him as a strategic asset in optimizing financial strategies, mitigating risks, and driving sustainable growth.
Alexandra Jassin - Curriculum Director
Amanda Ma - Advocacy, Outreach, and Marketing Director
Amanda Ma - Advocacy, Outreach, and Marketing Director
Alexandra Jassin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a focus on neurodiversity and disability. Her undergraduate capstone focused on the creation of a bias training program which aimed to decrease teacher bias against students with visible and invisible disabilities in general education classrooms. The program was later adapt
Alexandra Jassin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a focus on neurodiversity and disability. Her undergraduate capstone focused on the creation of a bias training program which aimed to decrease teacher bias against students with visible and invisible disabilities in general education classrooms. The program was later adapted into a workshop series with a graduate course option called Neurodiversity: A Framework for Teaching and Learning by the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative, where Alexandra was Hannah Markos’ assistant and guest speaker during both a live and recorded series. Alexandra has experience designing and leading extracurricular social and educational programs for neurodivergent college students with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree at Caldwell University for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy.
Amanda Ma - Advocacy, Outreach, and Marketing Director
Amanda Ma - Advocacy, Outreach, and Marketing Director
Amanda Ma - Advocacy, Outreach, and Marketing Director
Amanda Ma obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Cornell University in 2023, with an emphasis on empirical and theoretical approaches to psychological understandings of human culture, interpersonal skills, and cognitive development. For her incredible contributions to original research in the intersection of human cognitive dev
Amanda Ma obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Cornell University in 2023, with an emphasis on empirical and theoretical approaches to psychological understandings of human culture, interpersonal skills, and cognitive development. For her incredible contributions to original research in the intersection of human cognitive development and the basis of memory and learning, Amanda has submitted a research article to Social Science Research Network. Guided by her passion for educational equity and her immense curiosity in understanding human cognition and learning, Amanda recently acquired a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed) degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research project focused on investigating the role of cost-of-living funding in educational outcomes within first-time community college students. Throughout her prestigious and rigorous academic career, Amanda has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience pertaining to systemic issues in education, mechanistic insights into human learning, and a plethora of experimental models and approaches.
