We Value Individual Needs

Our team members take all elements of a student into account including disability labels, cultural backgrounds, and social circumstances. To do this, we stay up to date with research across disciplines as well as current events to ensure assessments are accurate reflections of a student and to create recommendations that are responsive to student and family needs.

Head of Practitioner Division

Mary Tubbs obtained two degrees in interdisciplinary studies and draws on that experience in all areas of her profession. She earned her Masters in Education at Vanderbilt University, a leading institution in research and practice in special education and visual impairments. In addition to her ongoing research, she serves as a TVI in partnership with cross-disciplinary agencies in New England and for online schools across the country.

To date, Mary has presented at professional conferences on emotive vocabulary for braille users, healthy engagement of anger for visually impaired students, trauma in special educators, and the brain’s role in visual processing. She has also conducted company trainings on the role of TVIs in an education team.

Military Connected Students

Drawing on experiences from students who grew up in military connected households and teachers who worked in military connected schools, the MCSVI project was launched in 2022 with a poster presentation at the AER International Conference and was followed by an article in the Journal for Visual Impairment and Blindness. From there, Bear Spark is working with military families, active practitioners, and research professionals to create resources for families and teams that aid their unique circumstances.