About
Mary Beth Forton has worked in the field of education for over 30 years. She is a former special
education teacher and a current special education surrogate parent for children with special needs through the Federation for Children with Special Needs in Boston, Massachusetts. She worked for over 25 years at the Center for Responsive Schools, developer of the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching.
Mary Beth is also the parent of several children with special needs, an intensive foster care
trained parent, and the adoptive parent of a child previously in state custody. She has experience working with students from ages 3-21 with a wide range of conditions that can interfere with learning. These include: ADHD, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, developmental delays, language-based and other learning disabilities, obsessive compulsive and related disorders, and PTSD.
Mary Beth serves families throughout Massachusetts, with a focus on western and central Massachusetts.
Education & Training
Master of Arts in Teaching, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
Bachelor of Arts, St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York
Special Education Licensure, Collaborative for Educational Services, Northampton,
Massachusetts (Completed coursework & eligible for preliminary MA license, K-12)
Professional Memberships
Federation for Children with Special Needs
International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation
Special Education Advocacy Network
Work History
Center for Responsive Schools/Responsive Classroom (1989 – 2017)
Turners Falls, Massachusetts
Various roles including special education teacher in lab school, director of
publications, director of communications, and editor/writer.
Student Advocate & Teacher (1985 – 1989)
Seattle, Washington
Success in Schooling Program & University Tutoring Services
Volunteer Experience
Special Education Surrogate Parent (2009 – Present)
Boston, Massachusetts
Federation for Children with Special Needs
Home Visitor/Family Support (2017 – Present)
Williamsburg, Massachusetts
It Takes a Village
