Jacqueline provides oversight and support to CMU partner charter schools in the delivery of special education services. She conducts continuous improvement reviews to assist schools in the delivery of high-quality education for students identified with disabilities and ensures compliance with federal, state and local special education rules and regulations. She serves as a liaison for schools with state and intermediate school district special education staff and communicates with school leadership teams concerning changes in special education rules and regulations.

Dr. McDougal has over 30 years in education, having served as the supervisor and executive director of special education for 15 years in multiple school districts. She also served in the roles of consulting psychologist, school psychologist, and clinical supervisor. She earned her Special Education Supervisor certification from Grand Valley State University, Master of Education – Education Leadership from Oakland University, Doctorate of Philosophy – Clinical Psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy, Master of Science – Counseling Psychology/Mental Health from the University of Southern Mississippi, and Bachelor of Arts-Psychology/Mental Health from Tougaloo College, Miss.

Kathy provides oversight and support to CMU partner charter schools in the delivery of special education services. She conducts continuous improvement reviews to assist schools in the delivery of high-quality education for students identified with disabilities and ensures compliance with federal, state and local special education rules and regulations. She serves as a liaison for schools with state and intermediate school district special education staff and communicates with school leadership teams concerning changes in special education rules and regulations.

In the past, Kathy has held several positions in special education throughout the state of Michigan, including school principal, supervisor of quality assurance for the Michigan Department of Education, and executive director of special education for an intermediate school district. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in educational psychology from Michigan State University.

Valerie provides academic support to schools to aid improvement efforts. She has strategic and operational responsibility for oversight of Educational Program Reviews, Quality School Reviews and School Support Visits for CMU partner schools. Valerie also facilitates professional learning opportunities in the area of instructional strategies.

Valerie has more than 25 years of experience supporting the charter public school movement. Prior to joining the Center, she served as a curriculum and instruction specialist as well as a coaching and learning consultant for a national charter school management organization. Valerie also was a teacher at two charter public schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with an elementary education certification, and a Master of Education degree from Grand Valley State University.

Mandy provides site support to CMU partner schools to strengthen their improvement efforts. Mandy works with schools through the Becoming Data Wise process where she guides schools in establishing a strong data culture while also assisting schools in the utilization of assessment data to foster academic improvement. With the Becoming Data Wise process she also assists schools in identifying a problem of practice as well as effective related teaching practices. Mandy also supports partner schools by serving as a team member for various Educational Program Review visits, School Support visits and New School Support visits.

Prior to joining the Center, Mandy was an education manager for a national management company for private academies and served as both an instructional support services manager and a coaching and learning consultant for a national charter school management organization. She has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in elementary education from Western Michigan University. She also earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University.

Sandra coordinates professional learning opportunities as well as site visits, including Educational Program Review visits, School Support visits and New School Support visits. She is a seasoned school reviewer with expertise in coordinating and collecting evidence on the implementation, delivery and support of a school’s instructional program. In addition to organizing site visits and professional learning opportunities, she also serves as the liaison between the academy and vendors contracted by the Center to conduct Quality School Review visits.

Prior to joining the Center, Sandra was involved with curriculum development, school improvement efforts and oversaw assessment administration at a charter public school. She holds a teaching certificate with elementary and secondary endorsements from the state of Michigan and has worked as a middle school teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and her Master of Arts degree from Eastern Michigan University.

Laura leads the Office of Academic Performance and Accountability which is responsible for the oversight, support and evaluation of academic performance for CMU partner schools. The office, in accordance with the charter contract, provides expert support to schools that assists in continuous improvement efforts, evaluates schools’ performance and oversees and monitors compliance with the contract and applicable law as it pertains to the educational goal, educational program, curriculum, assessment and special education. Laura also assists in the examination of instructional pedagogy, implementation of school improvement processes and compliance to the charter contract and government regulatory agencies.

Prior to joining the Center, Laura was a building administrator and served as the director of instructional support services for a national charter school management organization. She also worked with the Center for British Teachers, a London-based organization that facilitates school reviews in Europe, India and Asia. She holds certifications as a Cognitive Coach and Immunity to Change Coach and supports schools and business organizations in leading strategic change initiatives. She attended Bob Jones University and Pennsylvania State University with a concentration in elementary curriculum and educational leadership.