AW SERVICES

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. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEAM MEMBERS

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

Sarah Houmand has been a teacher and administrator in special education since 1995, serving variously as a special education teacher, administrator, and consultant. More recently, Sarah joined Academica West as an Education Specialist supporting special education 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. Sarah and her husband, Mike, reside in Draper, UT. Sarah loves spending time with her four children and three grandchildren, as well as swimming, reading, gardening, going to movies, traveling to new places, eating good food, and drinking Coke Zero. And Sarah also loves relaxing on a warm beach.