Contact Us

The easiest way to get in touch is through the special education contact form:

Contact Form

Department contact information

specialed@seattleschools.org
206-252-0058
Fax: 206-252-0895

Special Education Records

spedrecords@seattleschools.org
206-252-0892
Fax: 206-252-0895

Support in other languages

Amharic and Oromo
Work Cell: 206-445-3848
District Phone: 206-252-0121

Chinese: Cantonese, Mandarin, Taishanese
Work Cell: 206-475-1860
District Phone: 206-252-0013

Vietnamese
Work Cell: 206-471-9386
District Phone: 206-252-0778

Somali, Arabic
Work Cell: 206-430-2492
District Phone: 206-252-0880

Spanish
Work Cell: 206-471-2414
District Phone: 206-252-0767

Who should I contact?

At your child’s school

The first person to answer questions and resolve issues that you might have is often your child’s teacher or special education case manager.

The school principal or assistant principal is responsible for setting the tone and addressing issues concerning discipline, instruction, and the climate of the school.

School contact directory →

District Central Office

When a question or a concern arises that cannot be addressed at your student’s school, there are resources and contacts available to get your need met.

Contact the Department

The Central Office Special Education Team supports all schools, programs, and families to ensure students receive the highest quality services possible.

Additional Department Contacts

Program Specialists

Each region, as well as the Private School, Early Childhood, and Transition teams have program specialists on staff to support and guide IEP teams. Program specialists are special education teachers on special assignment to provide an added layer of support to your student’s teacher.

Regional Program Specialist Directory →

Special Education Regional Supervisors

Special education supervisors are another resource available when there are student needs that rise above what schools and program specialists are able to address.

Regional Supervisor Directory →

Program Supervisor Directory →

Directors

The director of school-based special education and the director of special education are also available to address more complex questions and concerns when needed.

Director information →

Referral to Special Education

Birth to 3 years of age

Within Reach of Washington State toll-free at 800-322-2588

3 to 21 years of age

ENROLLED in Seattle Public Schools

Communicate with the staff at the school your child attends for Pre-Referral and Referral

NOT ENROLLED in Seattle Public Schools

3–5 years old: use Child Find , 206-252-0805
Speech Only Referral: 206-252-0803
Private School Referral: 206-252-0800 or privateschoolservices@seattleschools.org

Special Education Supervisors and Program Specialists

Mike Bylsma, Supervisor, mebylsma@seattleschools.or
Michelle Bammert, Program Specialist, mtbammert@seattleschools.org

Schools supported by this team:
Ballard High School
Eckstein Middle School
Hamilton Middle School
Ingraham High School
Interagency
Jane Addams Middle School
Lincoln High School
McClure Middle School
Nathan Hale High School
Robert Eagle Staff Middle School
Roosevelt High School
Whitman Middle School

Teresa Swanson, Supervisor, taswanson@seattleschools.org
Catherine Cook, Program Specialist, cmcook@seattleschools.org
Elaine Parnell, Program Specialist, eeparnell@seattleschools.org

Schools supported by this team:
Adams Elementary
Bagely Elementary
BF Day Elementary
Cascade Parent Partnership
Cascadia Elementary
Catharine Blaine K-8
Coe Elementary
Green Lake Elementary
Greenwood Elementary
John Hay Elementary
John Stanford Elementary
Lawton Elementary
Loyal Heights Elementary
Magnolia Elementary
McDonald Elementary
North Beach Elementary
Queen Anne Elementary
Salmon Bay K-8
Viewlands Elementary
West Woodland Elementary
Whittier Elementary

Jenn Pelland, Supervisor, japelland@seattleschools.org
Caitlin O'Shea, Program Specialist, cmoshea@seattleschools.org

Schools supported by this team:
Aki Kurose Middle School
Cleveland High School
Denny Middle School
Franklin High School
Garfield High School
Meany Middle School
Mercer Middle School
Seattle World School
Washington Middle School

Cathy Reesman, Supervisor, careesman@seattleschools.org
Christian Herdener, Program Specialist, chherdener@seattleschools.org
Lisa Young, Program Specialist, lmyoung@seattleschools.org

Schools supported by this team:
Center School
Chief Sealth High School
John Muir Elementary
John Rogers Elementary
Kimball Elementary
Lauerlhurst Elementary
Licton Springs K-8
Madison Middle School
Madrona Elementary
Middle College
Nova High School
Olympic Hills Elementary
Rainier Beach High School
Sacajawea Elementary
South Lake High School
Stevens Elementary
Thurgood Marshall Elementary
TOPS K-8
West Seattle High School

Gordon Fowlds, Supervisor, gsfowlds@seattleschools.org
Judy Ferguson, Program Specialist, juferguson@seattleschools.org
Elaine Parnell, Program Specialist, eeparnell@seattleschools.org

Schools supported by this team:
Alki Elementary
Arbor Heights Elementary
Bryant Elementary
Cedar Park Elementary
Decatur Elementary
Fairmount Park Elementary
Genessee Hill Elementary
Hazel Wolf K-8
Lafayette Elementary
Maple Elementary
McGilvra Elementary
Montlake Elementary
Olympic View Elementary
Orca K-8
Pathfinder K-8
Sand Point Elementary
Thornton Creek Elementary
View Ridge Elementary
Wedgewood Elementary

Ivory Stewart-Bennett, Supervisor, ivstewart@seattleschools.org
Emily Caucci, Program Specialist, erdrossman@seattleschools.org
Amanda McNaughton, Program Specialist, ammcnaughton@seattleschools.org

Schools supported by this team:
Bailey Gatzert Elementary
Beacon Hill Elementary
Boren STEM K-8
Broadview-Thomson
Concord Elementary
Dearborn Park Elementary
Dunlap Elementary
Emerson Elementary
Gatewood Elementary
Graham Hill Elementary
Hawthorne Elementary
Highland Park Elementary
Leschi Elementary
Lowell Elementary
Martin Luther King Elementary
Northgate Elementary
Rainier View Elementary
Roxhill Elementary
Sanislo Elementary
South Shore K-8
Van Asselt Elementary/Rising Star
West Seattle Elementary
Wing Luke Elementary