The Agency of Education (AOE) handles making sure that federal and Vermont state regulations are followed so that students with disabilities can have access to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). To do this well, the special education team commits to supporting families and Vermont schools that educate students with disabilities. We provide support in the form of both resources and technical assistance. Please contact our team. We're here to help!
Vermont Special Education
Special Education Team
Our team, together with all stakeholders, ensures access, opportunity and equity by providing solution-based oversight, leadership and support to build capacity and improve student outcomes.
Special Education Technical Assistance is available 24 hours/day through the general email and voicemail system. These methods of communication are monitored regularly during business hours and a response is generally provided within 1 business day: AOE.SpecialEd@vermont.gov or (802) 828-1256.
State Director of Special Education
[Vacant], State Director of Special Education
Chris Kane, Assistant State Director of Special Education
Sabine Perry, Assistant to Special Education Director and Special Education Team
Technical Assistance and Professional Development
Amanda Hass, Assessment Coordinator for Special Populations
Tracy Harris, Coordinator for Behavioral Supports
Ana Russo, Inclusion and Accessibility Coordinator
Cassie Santo, Inclusive Practices Coordinator
John Spinney, Post-Secondary Transition Coordinator
Caitlin Chisholm, Inclusive Systems Coordinator
Ernest Wheeler, Special Education Technical Assistance Provider
General Supervision and Monitoring
Tristan McNamara, Special Education Monitoring Program Manager
[Vacant], Special Education Monitoring Coordinator
Special Education Extended Team Members
Cassidy Canzani, Federal and Special Education Data Director
Brandon Dall, Special Education Data Analyst III
Katie McCarthy, Early Childhood Special Ed/IDEA Part B 619 Coordinator
Amy Murphy, Early Childhood Inclusion Coordinator
Alicia Hanrahan, Education Programs Manager, Interagency Coordinator
Jennifer Perry, Special Education Finance Specialist
J. Deborah Ormsbee, Independent School Coordinator II
Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities
Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities can be found on Families Resources webpage.