SPECIAL EDUCATION

Director
Kelly Carpenter - email
618-343-2878

Collinsville Unit 10 Special Education provides a range of services to over 1,000 students with disabilities.  Our staff members include 71 special education teachers, 10 speech/language pathologists, 13 social workers, 8 school nurses, 65 educational assistants and other program assistants, 4 health care attendants, adaptive PE, and occupational and physical therapists.  Four building-level coordinators provide technical assistance to special and general education staff and administrators.  Over 50% of our students with IEPs are included in the general education setting at least 60% of the school day.

We are on Year 3 of the Strategic Plan for Special Education that was developed in 2004.

Vision
Through inclusive schools and a challenging curriculum, the CUSD 10 Special Education Program prepares all students to become productive and contributing members of the community.

Mission
All students with special needs in CUSD 10 will receive exemplary special education services in the Least Restrictive Environment.

Core Values

Partnerships with families
By working closely with families, students are assured a consistent and coordinated educational experience.

Inclusive environment
Inclusion provides opportunities for students to interact with peers, benefit from positive role models and promotes understanding and acceptance of individual differences.

Challenging curriculum
An individually based curriculum derived from state learning standards and emphasizing higher order thinking skills will maximize student achievement.

Individuality of each child
Recognize and build upon the unique strengths and abilities of each child.

Use of positive interventions
Relevant and consistent interventions will optimize students’ opportunities to succeed.  Interventions will be timely, respectful and appropriate.

Collaboration between regular and special education staff
Successful collaboration is fostered by open lines of communication and a commitment to a decision making process emphasizing consensus building and teamwork.

Adequate resources
A progressive, successful educational program relies on a budget that provides for the necessary number of well trained and highly qualified teachers and support staff.  In addition, the budget should support sufficient numbers of up to date textbooks, materials, supplies and equipment.

Initiatives

The Special Education Department has several new initiatives we are implementing during the 2006-2007 school year.  They include:

• Implementing the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA)

• Training teachers and support staff in using supplemental reading programs such as Lindamood-Bell and Read Naturally

• Providing training for general and special education teachers in co-teaching, inclusive practices and differentiated instruction

• Implementing a blended classroom with the Pre-Kindergarten program

Department Staff

Name	Position	Email	Location	Phone	Ext.
Church, Cynthia	Bilingual Translator	cchurch@kahoks.org	Caseyville	346-6213
Benson, Julie	School Psychologist	jbenson@kahoks.org	CHS	343-2878
Herring, Rhonda	Health Care Attendant	rherring@kahoks.org	CMS
Nicholl, Ellen	Teacher for visually impaired students	enicholl@kahoks.org	CMS	741-8926
Wohlrab, Jana	Special Education Coordinator	jwohlrab@kahoks.org	CMS	343-2100	2140
Achenbach, Patricia	Secretary	pachenba@kahoks.org	District Special Ed. Office	343-2878	254
Carpenter, Kelly	District Special Education Director	kcarpent@kahoks.org	District Special Ed. Office	343-2878	256
Horan, Christy	Social Worker	choran@kahoks.org	District Special Ed. Office	343-2878
Korte, Kristin	Special Education Supervisor	kkorte1@kahoks.org	District Special Ed. Office	343-2878	255
Kraemer, Anita	School Psychologist	akraemer@kahoks.org	District Special Ed. Office	343-2878
Meyer, Bonnie	School Psychologist	bmeyer@kahoks.org	District Special Ed. Office	343-2878
Schwander, Eva	Secretary	eschwand@kahoks.org	District Special Ed. Office	343-2878	253
Smith, Denise	Secretary	dsmith7@kahoks.org	District Special Ed. Office	343-2878	257
Ritchie, Kathleen	Special Education Coordinator		Dorris Intermediate	346-6311
Murphy, Julie	Special Education Coordinator	jmurphy1@kahoks.org	Maryville	346-6261
Hoffarth, Annette	Physical Therapist Assistant	ahoffart@kahoks.org	Webster	618-346-6302