State: AR
State Title: Administrator for Early Childhood Special Education B-5
Year Started as State ECSE Coordinator: 2020
Email: Danita.Pitts@ade.arkansas.gov
Website: Division of Elementary and Secondary Education - Offices - Special Education - Early Childhood Special Education (arkansas.gov)
Previous Positions(s): Early Childhood Special Education Program Advisor, Dispute Resolution Compliance Specialist, Early Interventionist, Teacher, Literacy Specialist/Coach, and State Pre-K Director
Passion/Belief: ALL humans are born into this world with value. We should strive to create a world where each person’s value shines.
Previous Positions(s): Director of the Asheville City Schools Preschool Program, led the opening of the first public Montessori school in Western NC, and served with the NC Part C program as well as Early Head Start.
Shannon Dunstan
State: ID
State Title: 619 and SSIP Coordinator
Year Started as State ECSE Coordinator: 2010
Email: sdunstan@sde.idaho.gov
Website: https://www.sde.idaho.gov/sped/
Previous Positions(s): Teacher, Social Worker, Business Owner
Passion/Belief: The best part about leading special education in Idaho is the opportunity to work with an amazing team devoted to improving special education services for children, youth, and their families across the state
Keashia Walker
State: NC
State Title: NC Preschool Exceptional Children (619) Co-Coordinator
Year Started as State ECSE Coordinator: 2020 Email: Keashia.Walker@dpi.nc.gov
Website: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/classroom-resources/exceptional-children/early-childhood-preschool
Previous Positions(s): IDEA Lead State Fiscal Monitor; NC PBIS Coordinator, Statewide Behavior Support Consultant; NC Behavior Support Fiscal Specialist; District Early Childhood Director, Assistant Federal Programs Administrator, Transition Coordinator; Social Worker; Parenting Instructor; EC Teacher
Passion/Belief: Using diverse data-driven supports to enhance opportunity, growth, and knowledge of those who nurture and educate the youngest learners and their families is an essential investment.
Heidi White
State: CO
State Title: State Director of Early Childhood Special Education
Year Started as State ECSE Coordinator: 2016
Email: White_h@cde.state.co.us Website: https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/childfindpreschoolsped
Previous Positions(s): State Preschool Director, State Child Find Specialist, Community Outreach Director, Evidence Based Home Visiting Program Manager, Part C State Consultant, Early Childhood Special Educator, Preschool Teacher, Child Care Resource and Referral Manager, Early Childhood Training Coordinator, County Child Care Subsidy Coordinator
Passion/Belief: Every child deserves inclusive, high-quality early learning experiences that set a foundation for belonging and contributing to their classrooms, schools, and communities.
Ryan Guzman
State: WA
State Title: Early Childhood Special Education/619 Coordinator Year Started as State ECSE Coordinator: 2019
Email:Ryan.guzman@k12.wa.us
Website: Early Childhood Special Education | OSPI
Previous Positions(s): Regional Administrator of Early Learning and Special Education, B-5 Early Intervention Specialist, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, 0-3 Early Intervention Program Manager, ECEAP (State Funded PreK) Lead Teacher, PreK child care provider
Passion/Belief: Every child deserves access to a high-quality inclusive learning experience regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, ability, or zip code.
Caitlyn Robinson
State: LA
State Title: Early Childhood Special Education 619 Coordinator Year Started as State ECSE Coordinator: 2022
Email: Caitlyn.Robinson@la.gov
Website: https://www.louisianabelieves.com/early-childhood/young-children-with-disabilities
Previous Positions(s): State Data Analyst and Security Coordinator, State Teacher Mentor, Math Content Leader, and Instructional Leadership Team Member, Early Childhood Inclusion Teacher
Passion/Belief: The best part about leading special education in Louisiana is the opportunity to change the trajectory of the lives of students with disabilities and their families by improving services, supports, and opportunities for young students with disabilities across the state.
