SPECIAL EDUCATION PROJECT

The Academica West Special Education Project aims to provide supports to identify components for improvement and create a plan for services that will reduce stress caused by a variety of duties. In partnership with the school's special education director, we provide support to increase student growth, reinforce teacher development and decrease risk. Schools may choose from a variety of services, creating a plan tailored to maximize success based on their data.Quarterly updates will be provided to determine plan effectiveness and update goals, along with a survey sent out to measure client satisfaction. 

OUR TEAM

Mandy Kartchner is an Academica West Education Specialist focusingon special education. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychologyfrom Westminster, a Special Education Certification from Utah Stateand a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from WesternGovernors University. She will receive a Mediator's Certificate fromS.J. Quinney College of Law in June 2023. She has served in multipleroles in education including Special Education Teacher, SpecialEducation Director, Vice Principal and School Director. She has twokids that she loves to spend time with. She enjoys traveling withfamily and hanging out with her two cats. 

Sarah Houmand has been a teacher and administrator in specialeducation since 1995, serving variously as a special educationteacher, administrator, and consultant. More recently, Sarah joinedAcademica West as an Education Specialist supporting specialeducation directors in their provision of services and compliance. Sarah holds a Professional License in Special Education (K-12+,Mild/Moderate) from the Utah State Board of Education, InternationalBaccalaureate (IB) Certification, Child Abuse Prevention Certification,and a B.S. in Special Education from Brigham Young University. Sarahand her husband, Mike, reside in Draper, UT. Sarah loves spendingtime with her four children and three grandchildren, as well asswimming, reading, gardening, going to movies, traveling to newplaces, eating good food, and drinking Coke Zero. And Sarah alsoloves relaxing on a warm beach.