Our Team

Our team has been working tirelessly for two years in preparation for the launch of the Bridgeway Transition Program.

Meet Our Team:

Abbey Ross, Executive Director

After spending two years leading the development and design of the Program, Mrs. Ross is eager to welcome Bridgeway’s first group of students to the program this fall.  After working with high school students with learning differences for several years, Mrs. Ross saw firsthand the pressing need for a support program for post-secondary students.   A graduate of the University of Oregon, Mrs. Ross received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Political Science before she joined Teach For America, a nationally acclaimed and highly selective teaching program.  While a member of Teach For America, Mrs. Ross taught 8th grade for two years at Dysart Elementary in El Mirage, Arizona, where she developed a comprehensive academic support program for students with learning differences in preparation for AIMS testing. Mrs. Ross has collaborated with educators, students and parents in preparation for the launch of Bridgeway.  With overwhelming support from the community, Mrs. Ross has assembled a team of individuals that are committed to the success of all students.

Simon Crawford, Director of Academic Programs and Services

Simon has worked in the field of Special Education for the last 14 years. Mr. Crawford graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and then completed a Master’s Degree in Special Education through the University of Phoenix. Currently, he is pursuing a doctoral degree in Special Education at Arizona State University.  Mr. Crawford began his educational career at the Kildonan School in upstate New York. At Kildonan, he had the great privilege of working with dyslexia expert and special education pioneer Diana Hanbury King. After moving to Arizona, he began working at New Way Academy, a private non-profit school for students with learning differences. While at New Way, Mr. Crawford created a program that provided students the opportunity to take community college classes while still attending high school. Through this experience, he became aware of the challenges that students with learning differences faced when transitioning from high school to post-secondary education. This area has become a passion for Mr. Crawford and he has written extensively and presented at professional conferences on the subject. Transition and special education will be the focus of his doctoral dissertation and directly connect to the mission of Bridgeway which is to help students with learning differences enjoy success at the post-secondary level.  

ADVISORY BOARD
Abbey Ross, Bridgeway Executive Director
Simon Crawford, Bridgeway Director of Academic Programs and Services
Bob Hardison, CEO of Hardison-Downey
Floyd Bienstock, Attorney, Steptoe and Johnson
Jill Kessler, Head of School of Pardes Jewish Day School
Christina Spicer, Managing Director of Development, Teach For America
Garret Westlake, Director of Disability Services, Arizona State University, Polytechnic Campus
Dawn Gutierrez, New Way Academy Head of School
Michael Walker, New Way Academy, Head of Upper School
Emily Green, Manager, Teacher Leadership Development, Teach For America

Lisa Buelna, Marketing, Hardison-Downey

Kendall Warden, Manager, Teacher Leadership Development, Teach For America