State Board Meeting - September
State Board of Education Meeting Sept. 9-10: View Agenda | Watch LIVE
New or Near New Special Education Directors
The success of Special Education Directors is critical to the successful outcomes of students with disabilities. As New Directors of Record, our goal is to support your ongoing leadership growth through mentorship and professional development.
“New” encompasses the years 0-3 as a Director of Record in one Administrative Unit (AU). We also recognize that Directors of Record may have years of experience in the role, however, have moved to a new AU and that new context/setting presents new learning opportunities and challenges. We welcome all New-to-AU Directors of Record to participate in mentorship and ongoing professional development!
Mentorship
The role of the Special Education Director of Record is unique in comparison to other BOCES and district leadership roles. We encourage all New Special Education Directors to participate in mentoring for support that is tailored to special education leadership. Mentors provide support to the AU Director of Record, their protégés, in two primary ways: individualized support and monthly cohort meetings.
Individualized support
Each New Director of Record has the opportunity to work with a mentor. The mentor will establish regular meetings with you for support and coaching based on your learning interests and needs.
Monthly Cohort Meetings
Every month, mentors meet with all protégés as a cohort. These virtual opportunities are for group members to ask questions, stay up to date on various topics and network with each other.
Please be aware that only the AU Special Education Director of Record is assigned a CDE Mentor through the CDE Mentor Program.
Professional Development
Orientation for New Special Education Directors of Record
The following virtual sessions will be offered to Special Education Directors of Record and other special education leadership team designees to support onboarding and professional growth. All sessions from 8:00-9:30 am.
- August 7 - Fiscal Responsibilities
- August 21 - Personnel Qualification and Data Collection
- September 11 - Dispute Resolution and Corrective Action Plan Processes
- October 2- Fiscal Responsibilities, part 2
Register for virtual orientation sessions
SY2026-27 “Lunch Connect”
The Lunch Connect virtual monthly meetings are an opportunity for Directors of Record and their leadership team members to learn about various topics, connect with peers, and ask questions from the Mentors. Meetings are 12-1pm on the third Friday of each month:
- September 18, 2026
- October 16, 2026
- November 20, 2026
- December 18, 2027
- January 15, 2027
- February 19, 2027
- March 19, 2027
- April 16, 2027
- May 21, 2027
Helpful Resources
Contact Us
Julie Rottier-Lukens,
Special Education Director Liaison
Email Julie Rottier-Lukens
303-829-9221
Teresa Bandel-Schott
bandel-schott_t@cde.state.co.us
720-665-0002
Frances Woolery-Jones
Woolery-Jones
@cde.state.co.us
720-527-1037