Our Co-Directors
Srimani Chakravarthi, Co-Director
Srimani Chakravarthi is a Professor at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois in the College of Education Department. Srimani conducted research in Kannada, a South Indian language, during her Ph. D, with a focus on Language Learning Disabilities. She teaches courses in Special Education characteristics, methods, legal aspects, and English Learners.
She taught for Joliet Public Schools, prior to joining University of St. Francis. She teaches both in the undergraduate and the graduate program and guides doctoral research candidates. Her passion is teaching reading, inclusion, technology and Universal Design to enable equity and access to all, across language and cultural barriers.
Paola Vieyra
Paola Vieyra is a Bilingual Special Education Paraprofessional currently employed at the Dr. James Mitchem Early Childhood Center in Bolingbrook. Paola has more than 10 years of experience working with the youngest learners. Her passion about advocating for special needs comes from one of my best teachers, her youngest son, Santiago, who’s part of the special needs population. Paola is proud to be his mom and strives to help other families like hers.
Paola is currently enrolled at Lewis University to pursue her Master’s in Special Education. She has been married for 22 years to the love of her life and they have 3 sons, Rafael (20), Leonardo (17) and Santiago (11) along with their two pets, Luna & Bubba.