Dianne Pereira-Aldrich

Riverside Learning is proud to welcome Dianne Pereira-Aldrich as a consultant specializing in supporting educators and leaders who serve students with disabilities. With a career grounded in advocacy, relationship-building, and practical leadership, Dianne brings a thoughtful and student-centered approach to professional learning that empowers schools to create meaningful opportunities for every learner.

Dianne earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Salve Regina University and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Special Education Administration from Bridgewater State University. She holds Massachusetts educator licensure in Moderate Disabilities, Severe Disabilities, and Special Education Administration. Her professional experience spans special education leadership, behavior support, educator mentoring, and systems-level instructional improvement, making her a highly respected voice in the field of inclusive education.

As a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), behavior management therapist, and DESE MCAS Alternative Assessment Training Specialist, Dianne has extensive expertise supporting educators who work with students with severe and complex disabilities. In her role as an MCAS Alternative Assessment Training Specialist, she provides educators and school teams with guidance on developing meaningful, standards-aligned portfolios that authentically demonstrate student learning and progress. She supports teachers in understanding state requirements, collecting high-quality evidence, aligning instruction to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, and creating assessment systems that are both compliant and educationally meaningful for students with significant learning needs. Her trainings help educators move beyond “checking boxes” and instead focus on showcasing student growth, independence, communication, and academic achievement.

Dianne is particularly passionate about helping schools align the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks within substantially separate and specialized classrooms, demonstrating that all students can—and should—have access to rigorous, standards-based learning experiences. Her work challenges outdated assumptions and helps educators develop practical pathways toward high expectations, inclusion, and authentic student growth.

Dianne is also recognized for her exceptional ability to build trusting partnerships with families of students with severe disabilities. She believes that strong collaboration between schools and families is essential to student success and works closely with educators to strengthen communication, increase family engagement, and foster supportive school communities centered on dignity and respect.

A strong advocate for inclusive school culture, Dianne initiated and continues to serve as a liaison for her district’s Unified Clubs. Developed in partnership with Special Olympics, Unified programs bring together students with and without disabilities through shared activities, leadership opportunities, recreation, and social experiences designed to foster inclusion, acceptance, and belonging. Through this work, Dianne has helped create opportunities for authentic peer connections while promoting empathy, understanding, and school communities where all students are valued participants.

One of Dianne’s greatest strengths is her commitment to continuous growth and her willingness to embrace new challenges in service of students. She models a true growth mindset, consistently stepping beyond traditional roles to meet emerging student and district needs. Recognizing a need for increased communication access and inclusive opportunities for students, Dianne took the initiative to begin creating and expanding American Sign Language opportunities within the general education setting in her district. Her work reflects her belief that innovation, flexibility, and lifelong learning are essential components of effective education. By identifying gaps and proactively developing meaningful solutions, Dianne demonstrates the kind of leadership that inspires educators, empowers students, and strengthens inclusive school communities.

In addition to her instructional and behavioral expertise, Dianne serves as the coordinator of her district’s mentoring and induction program, where she supports new educators and helps cultivate strong professional cultures grounded in collaboration and continuous learning. Her leadership style emphasizes encouragement, problem-solving, and sustainable practices that educators can immediately apply in their classrooms and schools.

A dynamic presenter, Dianne brings humor, authenticity, and real-world practicality to every workshop and consultation. Known for making complex and compliance-driven topics approachable and actionable, she helps educators navigate challenging situations with confidence, compassion, and creativity. Participants consistently value her ability to blend deep expertise with relatable examples, practical strategies, and a genuine understanding of the day-to-day realities educators face.

Through her work with Riverside Learning, Dianne is committed to helping schools build inclusive systems where educators feel supported, families feel valued, and all students have the opportunity to thrive.

Interested in partnering with Dianne Pereira-Aldrich?
Reach out to Riverside Learning to learn how Dianne can support your district, educators, students, and families through customized professional development, coaching, consultation, and collaborative problem-solving focused on meaningful outcomes for all learners.