Cassandra Townshend, Ed.D. is the Vermont I-Team Director, starting July 1, 2026.
Dr. Townshend brings nearly 20 years of experience in education, supporting schools and districts to build systems that promote students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs, well‑being, and mental health. Before becoming I-Team Director, she served as Co‑Director of the BEST Project and Principal Investigator for Project AWARE, both projects at the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion.
Before working at CDCI, she led district‑wide initiatives as a Director of Special Education and Director of Behavior Systems, ensuring students with complex needs could be supported and included within their home school communities.
Dr. Townshend is a certified CPI trainer with deep expertise in de‑escalation, proactive and responsive classroom practices, PBIS/MTSS, and crisis intervention.