Audra Holdorf
Novi,MI
Summary
Educational Professional with over 25 years of strong background in special services, prepared to lead and innovate in this role. Skilled in strategic planning, policy development, and program implementation. Emphasizes team collaboration and consistently achieves impactful results. Adaptable and dependable, with focus on fostering positive outcomes and meeting evolving needs.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Special Services
Birmingham Public Schools
07.2024 - Current
- Lead, coordinate, monitor and assume responsibility for largest Act 18 programming in Oakland County for the the birth – 26 Special Education and Special Education Center Programs to ensure that student individual needs are being met for students with in an integrated center model
- Lead, coach, evaluate and supervise special education supervisors, transition coordinator and District Teacher Consultants
- Redesigned a District Support Team to support students to remain in their Least restrictive environment
- Collaborate with the Teaching and Learning Department on improving the co-teaching model and tiered Resource model related to curriculum and instruction for all students.
- Responsible for IEP and Section 504 compliance
- Oversight of the District’s nursing services
- Facilitate and coordinate collaboration with appropriate community agencies to support services and programming in Oakland County
- Increased Act 18 funding for students serviced through the county based programming.
- Coordinate services for all eligible Special Education students in non-public schools
- Implemented a Records system in partnership with the county to increase Proportionate Share reimbursement from non- public services in private schools
- Developed, coordinated and collaborated for District professional development and leadership development
- Reimagine NVCI training to improve efficiency and support for staff.
- Assisted pupil accounting related to special education reporting for Early On, Preschool and School aged student
- Initiated professional development programs for staff, including teachers, ancillary staff and paraprofessionals, provide training, and facilitate processes for continuous improvement.
- Responsible for the IDEA grant, Act 18 and Part C grants as well as County Proportionate Share allocation
- Utilize Business Plus
- Provide leadership and guidance for the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee
- Administered Special Education Program in accordance with District, County and State Regulations
- Assisted Human Resources in the selection and assignment of Special Education staff
- Active member of the Oakland County Special Education Directors Association
- Active committee member on Oakland County Center Program Operators Committee where I assisted in drafting entrance and exit guidelines for center programming
- Active committee member of the Finance Committee for Act 18 programs in Oakland County
- Provided direction and guidance to the District’s McKinney-Vento liaison
- Coordinated and oversaw Homebound services across the District , created procedures
- Responsible for review and development of District policy and procedures
- Provided oversight and coordination for Health Care plans
- Developed transparent reporting systems that provided clear insights into program performance, ensuring accountability and fostering ongoing improvements in service delivery.
- Championed inclusion practices within the school environment, fostering positive attitudes towards diverse learning needs.
- Enhanced service quality by implementing strategic plans and monitoring progress.
- Established strong relationships with community partners, fostering collaborative support networks for students.
Assistant Director of Special Education
Ann Arbor Public Schools
01.2021 - 07.2024
- Stay up-to-date with new laws, regulations, and research trends in special education, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements.
- Create and coordinate procedures for continuum of services for students with IEPs.
- Supervise off-site programs and services for special education students, ensuring their needs are met and their progress is monitored.
- Assist in the development and delivery of staff training programs related to special education, promoting professional growth and best practices.
- Collaborate in the development and implementation of new programs and activities to ensure a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
- Prepare grant proposals to secure funding for special education initiatives and coordinate the special education portion of compliance reviews.
- Represent the district at county and regional meetings and conferences, advocating for the needs of special education students.
- Partner with Community Mental Health and district-wide services to provide mental health support for students.
- Supervise and evaluate certified and classified staff within the department, ensuring high-quality services and professional growth.
- Coordinate special education staffing allocation and hiring processes for both building and district-level positions.
- Partner with the community preschools and Early On for services for PK students.
- Re-envisioned the District Support Team to create inclusive and equitable practices within the district.
- Re-structured the NVCI professional development and delivery of the system throughout the district.
Special Education Supervisor
Redford Day Treatment
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Collaborated with Resident districts to support students in ensuring adherence to Wayne RESA entrance/exit criteria for students returning to their resident district.
- Assisted the Special Education Director in ensuring compliance with County, State, and federal requirements, maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation.
- Coordinated and facilitated effective communication between resident districts and operating districts of the Day Treatment Program, ensuring seamless collaboration.
- Served on the District Leadership Committee, actively contributing to decision-making processes and providing valuable insights and recommendations.
- Evaluated teachers, social workers, behavior specialists through classroom observation, providing constructive feedback and recommendations for improvement using the Charlotte Danielson Model.
- Coached teachers in implementing research based teaching strategies with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (CRP), Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to meet the needs of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), promoting inclusive and equitable education.
Special Education Teacher
Redford Union Elementary Day Treatment
01.2000 - 01.2020
- Collaborated with administrators, parents, para professionals, behavioral specialists, social workers and various service providers that include mental health, occupational, and speech for students having Severe Emotional Impairments in self-contained classroom.
- Earned Highly Effective on Teacher Evaluations for the past 5 years.
- Modeled, trained, and supervised student teachers from Eastern Michigan University on modifications and accommodations to instruct students with severe emotional impairments.
- Employed diverse instructional techniques to promote active learning including large group, small group, and individualized instruction while using flexibility through accommodations based on student’s individual needs.
- Upheld positive and consistent classroom management plan in which students were provided with clear and consistent behavioral expectations and procedures; fostering positive, safe and caring classroom community.
- Actively involved in students’ behavioral, academic and social development.
- Developed, trained and implemented school-wide Positive Behavioral Support (PBIS) Manual to correlate with the school district.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Differentiated general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
Education
Non Violent Crisis Intervention Institute -
Crisis Prevention Institute
Milwaukee, Wisconsin06.2025
Director of Special Education Full Approval - undefined
Michigan Department of Education
Lansing, MI01.2020
Education Specialist - K-12 Administration, Special Education Administration
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI01.2020
Master of Teaching - Curriculum and Instruction
Marygrove College
Detroit, MI01.2010
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Special Education (SE)
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan01.2000
Skills
- Special education program development
- IEP development
- Instructional leadership
- Collaborative Problem-solving
- Inclusive practices
- Parent communication
- Compliance monitoring
- Legal compliance
- Team collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
Websites
Affiliations
- Past Executive Board Member, Michigan Council for Exceptional Education (MCEC)
- Member, Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE)
- Member, Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association MEMPPSA
PORTFOLIO
- Adjunct Professor, Wayne State University, College of Education
- Michigan Council for Exceptional Children
- Past Board Member
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Chairperson, 2022
- Featured Presenter, 2022 MCEC Regional Conference ; "Building Inclusive and Diverse Libraries - Practical Steps for Educators"
- Non Violent Crisis Prevention Institute
- District Trainer for 16 years
- Trained in Restorative Practices
- Education Administration
- Full approval for Special Education Director and Supervision
- Teacher Mentoring & Development
- Mentored student teachers from Eastern Michigan University
- Adjunct Professor
Timeline
Director of Special Services
Birmingham Public Schools
07.2024 - Current
Assistant Director of Special Education
Ann Arbor Public Schools
01.2021 - 07.2024
Special Education Supervisor
Redford Day Treatment
01.2020 - 01.2021
Special Education Teacher
Redford Union Elementary Day Treatment
01.2000 - 01.2020
Director of Special Education Full Approval - undefined
Michigan Department of Education
Education Specialist - K-12 Administration, Special Education Administration
Wayne State University
Master of Teaching - Curriculum and Instruction
Marygrove College
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Special Education (SE)
Eastern Michigan University
Non Violent Crisis Intervention Institute -
Crisis Prevention Institute
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