Plenary Session
The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) provides a structured process for resolving disputes related to special education. This process ensures that parents and guardians have avenues to address concerns regarding the identification, evaluation, placement, and provision of free appropriate public education for students with disabilities. During this session, we will explore each avenue and its possible outcomes.
Speakers
Angel Kennedy
Angel Kennedy has dedicated her entire professional career to the field of special education.
She currently serves as a Coordinator at the WVDE, focusing on family engagement aspects of West Virginia Policy 2419 and IDEA. With more than 22 years of experience, Angel has held various roles, including special education teacher (14 years), special education specialist and lead parent educator (7 years), and director of special education at the local level (1 year).
Angel holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Charleston and a master's degree in Multi-Categorical Special Education from Marshall University. Her extensive experience working with parents and families is further enriched by her personal journey as a parent of a child with a disability, providing a unique and empathetic perspective to her professional practice.
Holly Sheldon
Holly Sheldon is a dedicated advocate for individuals with disabilities, currently serving as a Coordinator in the WVDE Office of Special Education. She earned her bachelor's degree from Marshall University, where she began her journey working with individuals with disabilities. Holly's commitment to advocacy continued post-graduation, with more than 13 years of experience at Disability Rights of West Virginia. During her tenure, she became certified as a mediator, piloted a school monitoring program, initiated trainings on IDEA and West Virginia Policy 2419 compliance, and collaborated closely with the WVDE.
In her current role as a compliance monitor for the Office of Special Education, Holly ensures that Local Education Agencies adhere to state and federal regulations and laws, striving for the improvement of educational results for students with disabilities.