Department of Special Education Advisory Committee

Krystal Anderson is pursuing her doctoral degree in Special Education at the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco State University. Krystal is a graduate of the San Francisco State University Early Childhood Special Education Credential and Master’s program. She has experience working as an special education teacher, early childhood teacher and a lecturer. She has experience creating curriculum and course content in early childhood development that supports inclusion of students with disabilities and family partnerships. In addition, she has expertise working with high risk families and children influenced by addiction, homelessness and poverty.

Brett Collins (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the overlapping fields of mental health, education, and social justice. Her service to San Francisco began as a counselor for disabled youth and progressed to include directorship of programs in both Mental Health and Early Childhood Education. As a former Faculty Lecturer in the Special Education Department, Brett's approach to facilitation and training is firmly rooted in the Universal Design for Learning and Anti-Oppressive Practices. As a disabled person and parent in a neurodivergent family, Brett brings a unique perspective and passion to promoting family-driven services. 

As a certified orientation and mobility specialist and teacher of students with visual impairments, it has been my privilege to work with a  wide variety of people who are blind and visually impaired, from all walks of life and all ages, for over 26 years.  Not only have I worked with school-aged students, young adults transitioning into the broader community, and those living their best lives  in retirement, but I have also had the honor of being a lecturer and student teaching supervisor for the San Francisco State Orientation and Mobility Teacher  Preparation Program. My experience working at SF State has given me keen insight into the challenges and opportunities in preparing future teachers. 

Whether in preschool or retirement, I love meeting students where they’re at and helping them to achieve their goals for a safe, independent life.

Sadie Egan has had the great luck to work in Special Education for the past 15 years.  She started as an in-home respite care provider and transitioned to a classroom aid, extensive support needs teacher, student teaching supervisor & lecturer for SFSU, and Assistive Technology Specialist.  She was also a founding project coordinator for the Inclusion Pilot Project at SFSU which created inclusive education opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities and the greater SFSU community.  She is passionate about supporting students and families and energized by facilitating creative and meaningful inclusive learning opportunities for all students.

Dr. Sacks is an adjunct professor for the Teacher Preparation Program in Visual Impairments at San Francisco State University. Prior to her retirement in 2019 Dr. Sacks was the Superintendent of the California School for the Blind., Sharon coordinated programs, and was a university professor in the area of extensive support needs at San Jose State University, and programs in visual impairments at California State University, Los Angeles. Dr. Sacks worked as a TVI for eight years as a resource and itinerant teacher prior to assuming leadership positions. She is the recipient of the Mary K. Bauman Award for Distinguished Service in Education, and a past president of AERBVI. She is currently the Past Board Chair of the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco.

With extensive experience in education, Saveth has transitioned from a general education teacher to a Resource Specialist (RSP) and Literacy Content Specialist. Currently, as the Tier 3 Literacy Program Administrator at SFUSD, Saveth directly trains and coaches Special Educators. Additionally, Saveth contributes as  part time lecturer at SF State for the mild/mod program, demonstrating a deep commitment to advancing educational practices to ensure the success of each and every student.