Don Mesibov, the founder and present Director if the Institute, had a clear impetus and rational for creating the Institute and that continues to guide us today: Identify a need that impacts a large group of people Don believed the Institute can help, and then gather like-minded people who will collaborate to create and implement the plan.

In addition to her work with the Institute, Susan Herman, is a retired special education teacher who currently supervises student teachers for St. Lawrence University and teaches a class on inclusion. After teaching students identified with learning disabilities at both the elementary and secondary levels for thirty years, Susan finds it rewarding to help a new generation of teachers find their way and develop their skills using constructivism.