Secondary Transition Team Leader, Baltimore County Public Schools
Joyce Serio has dedicated over four decades to supporting students with disabilities in Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). With 41 years of service, she has built a legacy of leadership, advocacy, and innovation in special education and secondary transition.
Joyce began her career as a classroom teacher, working for seven years with students with intellectual disabilities. For the past 31 years, she has served in the field of secondary transition, supporting students ages 13 to 21 as they prepare for life after high school. In her current role as Secondary Transition Team Leader, Joyce supervises a team of 20 professionals who provide transition services across the county.
A passionate advocate, Joyce works to ensure students with disabilities are supported in inclusive educational settings and connected with community agencies for postsecondary success. She has cultivated strong partnerships with higher education institutions, including the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Towson University, and the University of Maryland, to support seamless transitions for students and enhance educator preparation. In addition, she has developed outstanding and continuous partnerships with the Division of Rehabilitation and Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Joyce has played a critical role in professional development across the district. She has created and delivered high-quality training modules to help educators write compliant and effective transition sections of the IEP. She has also trained high school transition counselors, career coaches, students, and families on the complexities and opportunities of transitioning from school to adult life.
In addition to her leadership in BCPS, Joyce is an adjunct professor in the Department of Special Education at Towson University, where she teaches Curriculum and Methods of Instruction for Secondary Transition in the graduate program for special educators.
Joyce holds master’s degrees in Learning Disabilities and in Secondary Transition from Johns Hopkins University. A lifelong Baltimore County resident and graduate of its public schools, she remains deeply committed to her community. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, glassblowing, and volunteering with local organizations.