Special Education Spotlight Series for Administrators

Andratesha Fritzgerald is a former teacher, curriculum specialist, and administrator who is now the Director of Human Resources, Diversity and Equity in a large urban school district. As an international speaker, presenter, and facilitator, Andratesha exhibits audacious perseverance calling on organizations to evolve into inclusive antiracist safe zones for all learners. She is the founder of Building Blocks of Brilliance Educational Consulting Firm, and the author of Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success.

Carol Kosnitsky is a renowned author, consultant, and national speaker on best practices in developing measurable and compliant goals and objectives. As a former special education director, supervisor, and teacher who has consulted with hundreds of school districts, she brings a great depth of practical experience and compassion to her work along with energy, insights, vision, and systemic thinking. Carol is also the author of IEP Goals that Make a Difference: An Administrator's Guide to Improving Process. Funny and articulate, Carol inspires and informs.

Christina Henagen Peer advises and represents public school districts and boards of education regarding state and federal special education laws. Her expertise includes the development of legally defensible IEPs and ETRs, IDEA procedural compliance, class action complaint proceedings, and district policy development. Christina served on the executive committee of a state Council of School Board Attorneys for eight years and regularly provides training for teachers and administrators on special education issues.

Jeffrey Sprague is a researcher and Professor of Special Education at the University of Oregon. He directs federal, state, and local research on positive behavior interventions and supports, multi-tiered support systems (MTSS), alternative education, and restorative practices. His research activities encompass applied behavior analysis, positive behavior interventions and supports, behavioral response to intervention, and functional behavioral assessment. Sprague began his career as a teacher of students with low-incidence cognitive disabilities. He has co-authored the Best Behavior program, published several guidebooks and reports, and written over 150 journal articles and book chapters.

Julie J. Weatherly, Esq. is the owner of Resolutions in Special Education, Inc., a special education law firm. For 35 years, Julie has provided legal representation and consultation to school agencies across the country in the area of educating students with disabilities. She has been a faculty member for many national and state legal institutes and is a frequent speaker at special education law conferences. Julie has developed training programs that support special education legal compliance and has been published nationally. Julie was featured on CBS “60 Minutes” and received the Award for Outstanding Service from the Council of Administrators of Special Education.

Dr. Katie Novak is an internationally renowned education consultant, author, adjunct professor, and former Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Katie has more than 19 years of experience in teaching and administration and has written eight books, including UDL Now!, Equity By Design, and UDL and Blended Learning. Katie helping districts across the country implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and universally designed leadership. Katie's work is featured in many publications, including Edutopia, AMLE Magazine, the Huffington Post, ASCD Education Update, and School Administrator.

Sowmya Kumar has worked across the country at the school, district, and regional levels. As part of this work, she served as the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education for one of the largest school districts in the nation, ensuring quality services for students with disabilities. Sowmya is now an educational consultant and President of Systemic Special Education Support. She supports school districts examine and improve special education through systemic and sustainable practices, and continuous improvement planning.