The Unicorn Program: How One District Built Specialty Special Ed at Scale - Mary Masciovecchio

Five kids with feeding tubes show up the same year. What do you do? If you're Mary Masciovecchio, Director of Special Education at Berrien Springs Public Schools in Michigan, you turn unpredictable student needs into innovation. Mary reveals how a small district built and scaled exceptional specialty programs—from a 60-year-old auditory-oral Deaf and Hard of Hearing program to unique preschool models that combine SLP and teacher expertise. Managing everything from early intervention to 28 alternative education virtual learning centers across Michigan, Mary has mastered the art of doing more with less. Her secret? Strategic leadership delegation, relentless investment in staff development, and an unwavering commitment to least restrictive environment principles. "If we're asking our students to be lifelong learners, our staff are gonna be lifelong learners too," Mary explains. In this episode, Mary shares how diverse student needs forced her district to build what they call "the Unicorn Program"—a comprehensive suite of specialty services that meets students where they are while preparing them for success. Whether you're a special education director navigating budget constraints, a speech-language pathologist working in schools, or an administrator wondering how to scale specialized services without sacrificing quality, Mary's story offers a practical blueprint. 🎯 KEY TOPICS: ✅ Building specialty special education programs at scale ✅ Least restrictive environment as foundational philosophy ✅ 60-year-old Deaf and Hard of Hearing auditory-oral program ✅ Innovative preschool combining SLP and teacher expertise ✅ Managing 28 alternative education virtual learning centers ✅ Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) specialized programs ✅ Trauma-informed care and behavior intervention ✅ Strategic leadership delegation across geographic dispersion ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome 01:15 - Meet Mary Masciovecchio: Director of Special Education 02:30 - Berrien Springs Overview: Small District, Big Impact 03:45 - The 60-Year-Old Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program 05:50 - "It's Definitely a Unicorn" - Building Specialty Programs 06:18 - Auditory-Oral Approach: Accessing Spoken Language 08:20 - Early Intervention and Family Support 09:35 - Innovative Preschool Model: SLP + Teacher Collaboration 11:30 - Staff Development as Foundation for Student Success 13:10 - Managing 28 Alternative Education Centers Across Michigan 15:55 - "There's Always Something New" - Innovation Through Need 17:20 - Building ASD Specialty Programs 19:06 - Least Restrictive Environment Philosophy 20:40 - Trauma-Informed Care and Behavior Programs 22:15 - Five Kids with Feeding Tubes: Turning Challenges Into Strengths 24:00 - Strategic Leadership Delegation at Scale 25:45 - Hiring and Developing Exceptional Staff 27:20 - Virtual Learning Centers: Meeting Students Where They Are 28:50 - Budget Constraints and Creative Problem-Solving 30:25 - Collaboration Between SLPs and Special Educators 32:00 - Preparing Students for Success Beyond School 35:10 - Advice for Districts Building Specialized Programs 36:30 - Closing Thoughts & Contact Information 🔗 CONNECT WITH MARY: Email: [email protected] District Website: www.homeoftheshamrocks.org 📩 CONTACT LIGHTHOUSE THERAPY: Website: https://www.lighthousetherapyct.com Email: [email protected] 📱 Instagram: @lighthousetherapyct 💼 LinkedIn: Lighthouse Therapy & Consulting 🎙️ Subscribe to Brighter Together Podcast on your favorite platform! 🎙️ ABOUT BRIGHTER TOGETHER: The Brighter Together Podcast features inspiring conversations with education leaders, therapists, and innovators who are making a difference in students' lives. Hosted by Lighthouse Therapy, we explore practical strategies, success stories, and leadership philosophies. #specialeducation #specialeducationleadership #deafeducation #hardofhearing #AuditoryOral #ASDPrograms #autismeducation #traumainformedcare #alternativeeducation #speechtherapy #slp #SchoolBasedTherapy #k12leadership #SpecialEdDirector #LeastRestrictiveEnvironment #inclusiveeducation #staffdevelopment #educationalleadership #BrighterTogetherPodcast #MichiganEducation 🔔 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring education content!