Director of Special Education
Resource & Fiscal Management
Resource & Fiscal Management
C1. Demonstrate an ability to apply state and federal laws, rules, and procedures governing special education finance, budgeting, and accounting to school district funding structures.
As stated previously and my participation as an observer in the SMEC annual budget process,, I have identified the application of finance, budgeting, and accounting as an area of development in my leadership skills. Through this budget experience and my Bethel courses, my familiarity with funding formulas, sources, and accountability measures has grown, along with my appreciation of the budget process and how it drives every other aspect of school management.
C2. Demonstrate an understanding of special education program development including needs assessment, design, implementation and evaluation.
At SMEC, we say we serve the student, not the disability. This is true of SMEC programming. Student category does not decide program. The development and maintenance of programs then requires continual student skill assessment to ensure the program addresses the whole student, needs, strengths, interests and culture.
C3. Demonstrate an understanding of the resources available, along with the agencies and organizations that serve students with a disability and their families.
Pacer, Disability Law Center, Child Protection agencies. Over the course of my education career, my perspective regarding these outside agencies has evolved from one of defensiveness and dread, to optimism. Learning more about each of these agencies and the role they play in the lives of students has been essential to student success in 100% of my experiences. When we assume positive intent and acknowledge the value in different perspectives, the resources available to both students. Key to this is humility and willingness to listen, learn, and change.