About Us
Ellen Kaplan
Ellen Kaplan, M.Ed. graduated from the University of Hartford with a degree in special education and earned a master in reading from Towson State University. She spent eight years as a special education teacher in Howard County, Maryland middle schools, where she focused on students with learning disabilities and emotional issues. She later taught kindergarten in a Regional Early Childhood Center program (RECC), working closely with speech-language therapists, occupational therapists and classroom teachers to develop goals for students entering the upper grades. Most recently, she was the education director at a private school for autistic children in Howard County where she oversaw the IEP process, developed progress reports and classroom behavior plans and facilitated state testing. She has also tutored privately specializing in students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, children with Executive Dysfunction and ADHD, as well as students with learning disabilities. In 2023 Ellen retired from her private practice, the Orchid Center for ADHD and Executive Functioning where she was the co-founder but remains as a consultant. Currently she is the Assistant Director and Learning Specialist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Lori Marquis
Lori Marquis is a distinguished educator with a strong foundation in both elementary and special education, having graduated from the University of Delaware in 1989 with a dual degree in these fields. She has further enhanced her expertise by earning a master’s equivalency in special education through programs offered by Montgomery County Public Schools and Johns Hopkins University. During the first 13 years of her career, Lori taught general education to 4th and 5th graders, while also working to integrate students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) into mainstream classrooms. Over the years, she honed her focus on special education within Montgomery County Public Schools, where she played a pivotal role as the Special Education Program Coordinator. In this capacity, Lori managed all aspects of the child referral process, conducted both formal and informal educational assessments, drafted IEPs, and frequently provided staff training on the IEP process. Before retiring from Montgomery County Public Schools, Lori served as a Parent Educator in the Preschool Education Program at her school. In this role, she supported families, caregivers, and staff working with children aged 3 to 5. She was responsible for planning and coordinating parent workshops on various topics and assisting families through the intake process. Since retiring, Lori has remained dedicated to supporting families, offering her expertise to those navigating the complexities of the 504 or IEP process.