The Office of Special Education Monthly Newsletter serves as a source of information for teachers, superintendents, school leaders, school board members, and directors of special education. We will also provide information on upcoming events and how to access resources.
In this issue:
Meet Yaling Hedrick, Education Administrator – Advanced Program and Support Monitor
From the Office of Special Education: Winter Special Education Academy highlights, Mastering Monitoring: Tools and Strategies for Success Workshops,Spring Special Education Spring Law Conference, Data and Finance Information, IDEA B Advisory Panel, LEA Managed Booklet, Special Education Pay Differentials, and the Disability Rights Corner
Good News From LEAs in New Mexico
Current Training(s), including DirectSTEP® e-Learning
February Upcoming Events, including African American History Month and Just Right Reader Winter Pilot
Upcoming Professional Development, including EPICS Parent workshops, PRO workshops, and New Mexico UDL CaféSessions
Educator Opportunities such as Special Education Teacher Training (SETT), NMCASE, and the Social Work Statewide Conference in 2027
Current and Past Updates, including Graduation Options for Students with Disabilities, Puente Para Los Niños (High Cost Fund),and Indicator 14 Information for Special Education Directors
Ongoing Events, including OSE Weekly Office Hours and the New Mexico Autism Project
WHO WE ARE
Our Mission All students with disabilities are engaged in high-quality curriculum and instruction within an inclusive educational environment with opportunities which are culturally and linguistically responsive, leading to deep learning and preparation for college, career, and community readiness.
Meet Yaling Hedrick, Education Administrator – Advanced Program and Support Monitor
Since April 2024, Yaling Hedrick has served as the Education Administrator – Advanced Program and Support Monitor, overseeing Corrective Action Plans for the New Mexico Public Education Department’s Office of Special Education.
Yaling is originally from Dalian, China, and earned her BA in English and English literature from Dalian University of Foreign Languages. She started her career in finance and international economic cooperation with the Dalian Huanan Hong Fu Group before studying business, accounting, and administration in the UK.
In 2007, Yaling moved to the U.S. and transitioned to special education, earning a Master of Arts in special education from New Mexico State University (NMSU) in 2011. She also holds an Administrative Leadership Development Certificate, a Level Three-B Administrator License, and a Level Three-A Special Education License with endorsements in mathematics and language arts.
With over 20 years of experience, Yaling has worked as a special education teacher, case manager, and district IEP coordinator across multiple New Mexico local education agencies, ensuring that students with disabilities receive necessary services.
Outside of work, Yaling lives in Las Cruces, NM, with her husband and their miniature bull terrier, Luigi. She enjoys camping, exercising, and watching Christmas movies.
The OSE Leadership Team
The Office of Special Education is here to provide information and support to directors and superintendents throughout the state of New Mexico regarding special education, IDEA, and students with disabilities.
Margaret Cage, Ed.D., Deputy Secretary of the Office of Special Education
Tyre’ Jenkins, Ed.D., Deputy Director of the Office of Special Education
Charlene Marcotte, Deputy Director of Data and Finance
Ria Gill, Assistant Deputy Director of the Office of Special Education
Miguel Lozano, Chief Counsel for the Office of Special Education (Office of General Counsel)
Natalie Campbell, Assistant Chief Counsel for the Office of Special Education (Office of General Counsel)
Attention Readers: To access emails and hotlinks, right click to open in a new tab or window.
FROM THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (OSE)
Winter Special Education Academy Workshop Summary: The Winter Special Education Academy was held from Tuesday, January 7 to Thursday, January 9, 2025, at the Tamaya Resort on the Santa Ana Pueblo. It was a resounding success, with 300 educators in attendance. This three-day leadership workshop was presented by the Office of Special Education and supported by Region 9 Education Cooperative. The conference addressed a wide range of educational topics, including disability services and neurodivergent education, with a strong focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and culturally responsive practices. The conference was designed to equip school leaders with the tools and insights needed to support all students, especially those with diverse learning needs, in creating equitable and effective learning environments.
Mastering Monitoring: Tools and Strategies for Success Introduction to Monitoring Webinar Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Location: Virtual Zoom - Click here to attend
Workshop Summary: The workshop is a 90-minute introductory session on the collaborative "why, who, what, and how" of monitoring, followed by 30 minutes of Q&A. Includes interactive polls and discussions to engage participants and set clear expectations.
Full-Day Monitoring Workshop Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Location: Virtual Zoom - Click here to attend
Full-Day Monitoring Workshop Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Location: In Person - UNM Continuing Education Conference Center, 1634 University Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Workshop Summary: This two-day virtual and in-person workshop will focus on essential compliance criteria, best practices, and document reviews for IEPs and IDEA compliance. Participants will collaborate with other LEAs and gain practical strategies to prepare for upcoming monitoring and implement effective self-monitoring processes. LEAs are encouraged to send a team, including superintendents, directors, building administrators, special educators, general educators, and related service providers.
Registration for in-person training is available on this flyer. Virtual sessions will be recorded and made available on the Office of Special Education (OSE) website.
Save the Date! Spring Special Education Law Conference Tentative Dates: Tuesday, April 15, and Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Time: TBD Location: TBD
Workshop Summary:Make plans to attend the 2025 Special Education Conference as presented by the New Mexico Public Education Department's Office of Special Education. Topics will be similar to those that were offered at the fall conference in September 2024. There will be no finance training given. More information to come soon!
Save the Date! Spring Special Education Academy Tentative Dates: Monday, April 28 through Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Time: TBD Location: TBD
Workshop Summary: This three-day school leadership workshop covers a broad range of educational issues. The conference aims to equip school leaders with the tools and insights to support all students, particularly those with diverse learning needs, in creating equitable and effective learning environments. Conference registration is free! Travel and hotel accommodations are the responsibility of attendees. Further details will be provided soon.
Attention Superintendents and Special Education Directors: LEA Managed Booklet To ensure effective communication and support, we kindly ask you to take a moment to update your contact information. Your accurate details are essential for us to provide you with the most relevant resources and information.
Please use the following link to submit your updated contact information: LEA Managed Booklet.
For more information or further questions, please email: sed.support@ped.nm.gov and reference the LEA Managed Information Booklet.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your collaboration!
Data and Finance Information OSE Deputy Director of Data and Finance Charlene Marcotte has provided detailed information regarding 40-Day Manual Collection, End of Year Validation, Excess Cost Base, IDEA B Application - Phase 1, and IDEA B Application - Phase 2 Release, here in this OSE Data and Finance link.
Data and Finance Calendar The OSE has released its Data and Finance Calendar from October 2024 through September 2025. This calendar has pertinent information such as Annual Determination, Excess Cost EOY Reporting, 40-, 80-, 120-Day, IDEA B Application, and MOE Eligibility trainings. The calendar also provides a time-frame for when items are due.
Disability Rights Corner Each month, our Social & Community Coordinator of the Office of Special Education (OSE), Kaity Ellis, LMSW, ADAC, will share tips and insights on various aspects of disability—from accessibility considerations to etiquette and advocacy. Kaity will provide practical advice that promotes inclusivity and empowers the disability community to create more accessible environments.
This month's focus is on last month's Braille Literacy Month. This platform contributes to our efforts to enhance support for individuals with disabilities within educational settings and beyond. Please feel free to share your thoughts, questions, and experiences with Kaity at kaitlin.ellis@ped.nm.gov or (505) 709-7690. Your feedback is invaluable.
Puente Para Los Niños (High Cost Fund) The High Cost Fund aims to support local education agencies (LEAs) in meeting the needs of high-need children with disabilities, excluding those who are gifted-only. The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) has established the Puente para los Niños Fund in accordance with 34 C.F.R. § 300.704(c) and 6.31.2.9(B)(5) NMAC.
To qualify for funding from the Puente para los Niños Fund, an LEA must satisfy two criteria: (1) meet the definition of a high-need child with a disability (see Section B); and (2) fulfill the eligibility criteria (see Section C).
Funds from this initiative may only be utilized for the costs associated with providing special education programming and related services directly to high-need students, as outlined in their individualized education program. They cannot be used for services the LEA is not currently offering, nor for expenses like legal fees, court costs, or other litigation-related expenses. With the exception of necessary costs incurred or services provided through out-of-state residential treatment facilities, educational and related services must be delivered by individuals properly licensed by the PED or the New Mexico Department of Regulation and Licensing, as stipulated in 6.31.2.9(B)(9) NMAC.
2025 DADD Teacher of the Year
Bhawna Sharma, a dedicated teacher in the Cuba Independent School District, has been named the 2025 Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD) Teacher of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional educators who make a significant impact on students with autism, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental disabilities. Bhawna’s unwavering commitment, innovative teaching strategies, and deep compassion for her students have earned her this well-deserved recognition. Congratulations, Bhawna, for your remarkable contributions to the field of special education! Read the DADD Teacher of the Year press release here.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Workshops and Conference
From October to December 2024, New Mexico hosted a series of intensive professional learning opportunities, engaging over 2,000 educators statewide. These sessions focused on deepening participants' understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) theory and its research foundations, with a special emphasis on how individual variability influences teaching and learning in diverse educational contexts.
Through collaborative workshops, interactive sessions, and ongoing support, educators gained the tools and knowledge to effectively implement UDL in their schools. This professional development not only strengthened educators' theoretical understanding of UDL but also highlighted its practical application in enhancing student outcomes and creating inclusive, equitable learning environments.
Additionally, NM UDL co-hosted a one-day conference with the Curriculum and Instruction Division on December 7. The event, Universal Design for Learning: Teacher Toolbox EdVenture, attracted over 240 educators.
If you have positive news to share about your local education agency (LEA), consider submitting your stories to special.ednews@ped.nm.gov. Remember, submissions are due by the third Monday of each month!
CURRENT TRAININGS
DirectSTEP® e-Learning The New Mexico Public Education Department has partnered with LRP Publications to bring you DirectSTEP eCourses at no charge.
With each eCourse you will:
Receive the highest quality training developed by respected special education experts.
Learn at your own pace for the greatest possible comprehension and retention.
Take eCourses based on individual training needs and interests.
Engage in learning through quizzes and activities.
Learn how to make decisions that are educationally and legally sound.
For any questions, please contact Implementation and Support Coordinator Josh Pedrow at jpedrow@lrp.com.
ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Office of Special Education Office Hours Date: Every third Tuesday of each month (Next meeting is on Tuesday, February 18, 2025) Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Location: Virtual, Microsoft Teams
The OSE will have virtual office hours every third Tuesday of each month. The first 15 to 20 minutes will focus on current events and professional development. The last 40 minutes of office hours is for addressing questions. Any questions prior to OSE office hours should be sent to ose.support@ped.nm.gov.
New Mexico Autism Project
The New Mexico Autism Project is a statewide program designed for educators who work with children who have autism. Coaching, individual and large group professional development, current evidence-based training, and technical assistance are provided. Free statewide Autism Universal Design for Learning (UDL) support to educators and teachers is also offered.
University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability: Autism Portal
The UNM Autism Portal provides resources, online training, and podcasts specific to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
EPICS - Winter Workshops for Parents Dates: Five workshops from Friday, January 10, through Friday, March 7, 2025 Time: 10:00 a.m. (Bi-weekly) Location: Virtual, Zoom
Workshop Summary:
Education for Parents of Indigenous Children with Special Needs (EPICS) has operated since 2009. It was created to support Native American parents who wanted to ensure that their children with disabilities' needs were met, while recognizing their cultural heritage and improving advocacy. This advocacy effort includes conferences, trainings, and workshops.
Throughout the year, EPICS has bi-weekly Zoom workshops for parents and professionals. The Winter Workshops flyer contains further information about upcoming workshops. Each workshop requires separate registration. Links for workshops are sent after event registration.
PRO Spanish Family Support Group/Grupo Virtual de Apoyo Familiar en Espanol Date/Fecha: Wednesday, February 5, 2025/Miercoles 5 de Febrero de 2025 Time/Tiempo: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Location/Ubicacion: Zoom Registration at: PRO Family Support Group/Grupo Virtual de Apoyo Familiar en Espanol
Workshop Summary: El grupo de apoyo le proporcionará un lugar seguro para compartir sus experiencias y conectarse con otros familias. Le proporcionará un espacio seguro para discutir sus desafios, experiencias, frustraciones e inquietudes como familiar de una persona con discapacidad.
PRO Introduction to Special Education Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Location: Virtual, Zoom Registration at: Introduction to Special Education
Workshop Summary: Discover how special education works and how eligibility is determined. This workshop equips parents and professionals with the knowledge and tools to effectively support and advocate for children with disabilities.
Literacy In Motion 2025: Linking Arms in the Land of Enchantment Date: Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22, 2025 Time: 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. (Friday) and 7:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Location: Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown, 2600 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Workshop Summary
Attention TRL-NM Members! The Literacy In Motion 2025: Linking Arms in the Land of Enchantment event, hosted by the Southwest Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (SWIDA), The Reading League NM Chapter (TRL-NM), and the Academic Language Therapy Association NM Chapter (ALTA-NM), brings together educators, literacy specialists, and community leaders. Together, we are working towards a shared vision of improving literacy outcomes and empowering both students and teachers across New Mexico. Registration is $249 per person and purchase orders are accepted. Here is the Literacy In Motion conference schedule. See the enclosed flyer to register and more information.
We are thrilled to feature an exceptional lineup of speakers:
Dr. Stephanie Stollar: MTSS: The Framework for Reading Improvement
Dr. Maria Murray: All Means All: It Takes a League
Dr. Jamey Peavler: Building Your Scientifically Based ELA Block
CEUs will be available for both in-person and virtual attendance.
Workshop Summary: Workshop Summary: Our panel of parents will share their personal advocacy journeys, offer valuable tips, and answer your questions based on their firsthand experiences supporting their children.
Best Consideration Deadline New Mexico UDL Cafe Sessions: Empowering Educators to Integrate UDL in Lesson Curriculum Design
New Mexico UDL is dedicated to providing educators statewide with high-impact professional learning opportunities that are both accessible and practical. Through our Café sessions, educators can engage with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, share insights, and acquire tools for integrating these strategies into lesson and curriculum design, aligned with state educational standards.
These sessions are designed to ensure that every educator leaves with actionable strategies they can implement immediately in their classrooms, enhancing learning for all students. The Café sessions not only introduce foundational UDL concepts but also demonstrate their application in daily instructional practices to address the diverse needs of learners.
We invite all educators to join us on the third Wednesday of each month. More details can be found here: New Mexico UDL Café.
PRO Family Leadership Conference Date: Friday, March 14, 2025 Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Location: 1000 Woodward Pl NE, Albuquerque, NM, NM 87106. Go here to learn more and register for the 20th Annual Family Leadership Conference
Workshop Summary: Parents Reaching Out has served New Mexico's communities for 44 years. The Family Leadership Conference has been and continues to be a gathering place for parents, families, self-advocates, and professionals, to come together and share information with the goal of helping us all to become our own best advocates. Join us in celebrating 20 years of creating connections and many more to come.
EDUCATOR OPPORTUNITIES
NMCASE Wants YOU to Join and Incredible Organization! What is CASE?
CASE is a global non-profit membership association dedicated to providing leadership and support to over 90,000 educational advancement professionals. These professionals work in areas such as alumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and advancement services, united by a common goal: championing education to transform lives and society.
Why Should You Join?
NMCASE is an active voice in New Mexico for special education policies. It offers a supportive community where you can get your questions answered and receive guidance. With seasoned directors available to offer support and insight, NMCASE ensures you’re never alone in navigating challenges.
What Does NMCASE Do?
NMCASE plays a crucial role in supporting the Office of Special Education through training sessions, conferences, and by providing refreshments and resources. Your membership helps make these contributions possible. Additionally, NMCASE serves as a powerful advocate in legislative discussions and state policy-making.
Join Now!
You can use IDEA funds to pay for your membership. If you need assistance, please reach out to Daelena Potter, Membership Chair (dpotter@pecosca.us), or Roger Hein, Current President (rogerhein@lovingtonschools.net).
Special Education Teacher Training (SETT) Program Best Consideration Deadline: Friday, January 10, 2025 Early Admission: Thursday, February 20, 2025 Final Deadline: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 Classes Begin: August 2025
Workshop Summary:
The Special Education Teacher Training Program (SETT), is a dynamic post-baccalaureate teacher preparation pathway developed in partnership with APS. The SETT program offers a unique opportunity for aspiring educators to earn a Special Education teaching license and a TESOL endorsement in just 16 months.
Participants benefit from a competitive salary of $54,000 (Level I APS) while receiving hands-on training and mentorship through an immersive residency model. The program is designed to ensure participants gain the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to succeed in the classroom, with tailored support from expert educators throughout their journey.
With only 20 spots available, this workshop emphasized the importance of applying soon to take advantage of this transformative opportunity. Participants were encouraged to consider how the SETT program could help them advance their careers while making a significant impact on the lives of students in need.
For more information and to register, see this this flyer.
Social Work Education to Enhance Training in Special Education Workshop Summary:
School Social Workers play a crucial role in providing mental health, social-emotional, and other support services to students with disabilities across New Mexico. As related service providers, they assist students with disabilities and their families in communities statewide. This dedicated group of professionals serves some of our most vulnerable students and families, yet they often face challenges due to insufficient support.
With a grant from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), Drs. Kimberly Knox and Stacy Gherardi from the New Mexico State School of Social Work are working to enhance the special education-specific training for School Social Workers in New Mexico and beyond. The Social Work Education to Enhance Training in Special Education (SWEET-SPED) project aims to establish a graduate certificate in School Social Work-Related Services, set to launch in 2027. This certificate program will focus on culturally and linguistically competent practices and family engagement, preparing Master of Social Work students to deliver high-quality, evidence-based services as providers of special education-related support in schools across New Mexico.
In addition, the SWEET-SPED project will facilitate a statewide conference in 2027 to support and enhance training for current school social workers. This initiative aims to strengthen the network of professionals providing vital services to students with disabilities.
You can contribute to this important work by helping Drs. Knox and Gherardi identify the best ways to prepare future practitioners for service in this field. We are currently mapping all related services and special education social workers in the state. We also invite feedback from practitioners, families, and other stakeholders about the critical areas of need in special education social work in New Mexico.
If you have any questions reach out via email at kimknox@nmsu.edu with the subject line "SWEET-SPED." If you are involved in New Mexico school social work, we look forward to hearing from you as we collaborate on this vital initiative.
UPCOMING EVENTS
African American History Month Date: Sunday, February 1 – Friday, February 28, 2025
Vocal advocates in the Black community aren't just represented by able-bodied people, but also those who have invisible and visible disabilities. One such website that highlights the contributions of black disability advocates is the World Institute on Disability.
Just Right Reader Winter Pilot Program Summary: Just Right Reader is donating five million Science of Reading books to students over the winter break. The pilot program aims to strengthen phonics skills at home, foster family engagement in the joy of reading, and accelerate literacy achievement. Participating schools and districts will receive up to 3,000 personalized decodable books. Interested districts may apply here. See this Just Right Winter Pilot flyer for further information.
IDEA B Panel Virtual Meeting Dates: Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21, 2025 Time: 9:00 a.m. Location: Virtual (Interagency Coordinating Council [ICC] joining on Friday, February 21, 2025)(IDEA)
IDEA B Panel Virtual Meeting Dates: Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2, 2025 Time: 9:00 a.m. Location: TBD(IDEA)
Workshop Summary:
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the State of New Mexico must establish and maintain an advisory panel to provide policy guidance for special education and related services for children with disabilities in the state. The IDEA Advisory Panel’s role is to advise the New Mexico Public Education Department with regard to serving students with disabilities through Part B of IDEA.
PAST UPDATES
Office of Special Education Fall 2024–25 Special Education Pay Differentials Application Window Now Closed
Below is information regarding the pay differential allocations for hard to staff special education positions for the school year 2024–2025, as provided through HB2.
Application Timeline: The application and rubric were released on August 15, 2024, and open through September 30, 2024.
Criteria: The application rubric prioritized LEAs with special education teacher positions that have been vacant for two or more school years.
Retention Stipends: Pending funding availability, teacher retention stipends will also be addressed. Stipends will be paid directly to teachers due to maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements for LEAs. The recruitment stipend for qualifying positions will be $10,000 for the year, distributed in two payments of $5,000 each in Spring and Summer 2025.
Furthermore, LEAs are relieved of the need to budget for hard to staff stipends, as all funding will be provided through the PED. Upon approval of an application, additional information will be requested from the LEAs to ensure seamless payment to participating special education teachers and support staff.
Indicator 14 Information for Special Education Directors
This notice is to remind special education directors that the survey for Indicator 14 (Post School Outcomes) was due on September 30, 2024. For questions, contact Glenn Damian at Region 4 (REC4) at gdamian@nmhu.edu.
New Mexico Crisis Lifelines
There are three mental health resources, free-of-charge to New Mexican residents. These resources are 988 (call, text or chat 988 online at www.988lifeline.org/chat), New Mexico Crisis and Access Line (855-662-7474), and Agora Crisis Line (505-277-3013 or 855-505-4504). For more information about these services, read this articlewritten by Dr. Elizabeth Cassel, Education Administrator–Parent and Community Liaison for the Office of Special Education.
The Office of Special Education Ombud
If you have a disability or need help with special education, the Office of Special Education Ombud (OSEO) is here as an advocate to assist students and their families, free-of-charge. If you would like information about our intake process, family presentations, or general information about our work, please contact: Clare Gallegos (505) 841-3885, Jody Myers (682) 554-6672, Michelle Tregembo (505)274-3885.
Find both the English OSEO flyer and the Spanish OSEO flyer for additional information.
Speech Therapy Empat Speech is an online platform that connects districts and schools with experienced Speech Language Pathologists to help address nationwide shortages of licensed therapists while leveraging technology to improve the quality and access to speech therapy. For more information about Empat Speech, go here.
Next OSE Newsletter
The next OSE Newsletter will be released no later than the first week of each month. If you have any questions within this newsletter, contact us at: special.ednews@ped.nm.gov.
The following form can be shared with colleagues who wish to receive the OSE Newsletter: OSE Signup Form.
