Contact Us
Contact SPS Special Education
Who should I contact?
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 and/or assistant principal are the leaders of your student’s school, responsible for instruction, culture and climate, and addressing any questions or concerns regarding discipline. Visit our school directory.
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.
Special Education Department Contact Form
The easiest way to get in touch is through the Special Education contact form:
Not sure who to contact? See the Department Directory and Special Education Supervisor school assignments.
Phone 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
Special Education Department Directory
Special Education Program Teams
Sensory Services
Ann Curry
Student Support Services Supervisor
jacurry@seattleschools.org
206-252-0332
Early Childhood (Child Find/Preschool/Birth-Three/EEU)
Whitney Smith
Director of Early Learning
wnsanders@seattleschools.org
Meredith Fourre
Special Education Early Childhood Specialist
206-252-0418
Barbara Roman
Special Education Early Childhood Specialist
206-252-0000
Private School Referrals and Service Plans
Robin Olney
Student Support Services Supervisor
reolney@seattleschools.org
206-252-0870
Stephanie Rincon
Private School Program Specialist
Transition/BRIDGES (Ages 16-21)
Rob Vander Stoep
Student Support Services Supervisor
ravanderstoe@seattleschools.org
206-252-9934
Chelsea Palmer
Program Specialist
206-252-0899
Skills Center
Rob Vander Stoep
Student Support Services Supervisor
ravanderstoe@seattleschools.org
206-252-9934
Students assigned to a nonpublic agency
The supervisor of the student’s neighborhood school should be contacted with questions, even when their student is assigned full-time to a NPA.
Special Education Supervisor School Assignments
Directors
Rocky Torres, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services: ratorres@seattleschools.org
Devin Gurley, Executive Director of Special Education and Inclusion: dkgurley@seattleschools.org
Mike Bylsma, Director of Special Education: mebylsma@seattleschools.org
Ivory Stewart, Director of Special Education: ivstewart@seattleschools.org
How to Raise a Concern or Issue
If you are not able to get your concerns answered by your child’s special education teacher (who is also your child’s case manager) or the principal at your child’s school, or if you do not have a child currently enrolled at Seattle Public Schools, you may contact:
Option #1: The Special Education Office
In your message, please let us know the school that your child attends so that we can direct you to the Central Office person who can help you.
Office Number: 206-252-0058
Option #2: The Seattle Public Schools District Ombudsperson
If you feel a grievance or concern hasn’t been addressed by your child’s teacher/case manager or principal then you may contact the district ombudsperson.
You may describe the details of your concern by filling out and submitting the Ombuds contact form.