Jennifer Matheny
30 Emerald Heights ,Fishersville, VA
Summary
Advocate for students and staff with over 20 years in school administration and program development. Expertise in special education and secondary transition for students with disabilities. Proven track record of inspiring teams and implementing effective program visions. Recognized by the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services at JMU (2023) for collaboration and teamwork.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Supervisor
Augusta County Public Schools
Verona, Virginia
07.2020 - Current
- Supervised special education teachers and support staff to ensure compliance with regulations;
- Facilitated professional development training and mentoring on best practices, legal compliance in special education, as well as Section 504;
- Facilitated initiation of new post-high program and provide ongoing administrative support to all similar programs;
- *This is a part-time position, shared with the Shenandoah Valley Regional Program as a result of changes from the VA Dept of Education.
Director
Shenandoah Valley Regional Program for Special Education
Verona, Virginia
07.2017 - Current
- Facilitated collaboration among seven regional school divisions to coordinate services for students with intensive support needs by developing and managing a regional budget, coordinating professional development, staffing of specialized professionals, providing resources to teachers and staff and collaborating with community partners to improve services for students;
- Developed more equitable salary scales and defined policies to ensure a structured approach across disciplines;
- Created a feedback system for staff to aid in the professional growth and the evaluation process; and
- Restructured budget process to more accurately reflect expenses to divisions.
Education Director
Commonwealth Center for Children & Adolescents
Staunton, Virginia
07.2014 - 07.2017
- Plan, control and direct overall activities for the education program within a state-operated acute mental health facility serving students three - 18 years of age;
- Created a climate of high academic standards while balancing the mental health needs of the students;
- Coordinated efforts for a school-wide literacy and math problem solving approach; and
- Led a center-wide initiative for increased training designed to serve students with autism.
Compliance Specialist
Shenandoah County Public Schools
Woodstock, Virginia
07.2013 - 06.2014
- Coordinated procedures to ensure overall compliance of IDEA regulations through development of processes, staff training, and best practices for writing and implementing IEPs;
- Charged with developing 504 local policies, revising the manual, training staff and ensuring compliance standards were met; and
- Coordinated Extended School Year services and assistive technology needs.
Assistant Education Director / IEP Coordinator
Staunton City Schools/ Commonwealth Center for Children & Adolescents
Staunton, Virginia
08.2008 - 06.2013
- Assisted in program operation and coordinated special education and related services; and
- Coordinated and administered all assessments of the state-wide accountability program.
Education Director/Principal
Eliada Homes, Inc. / Eliada Academy
Asheville, North Carolina
07.2005 - 06.2008
- Oversaw program development, daily operations and ensured program compliance for all necessary licensure standards for a private, day treatment school;
- Introduced significant operational changes to emphasize academics in proportion to mental health and aid in staff retention; and
- Initiated and led the accreditation process through the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS)/AdvancED.
Instructional Team Leader
Howard County Public Schools
Ellicott City, Maryland
03.2003 - 06.2005
- Recruited to take on challenging 15-member, cross-functional professional team in a non-teaching role at the traditional public middle school;
- Designed and coordinated program changes that led to less restrictive environment for students; and
- Reformed procedures, resulting in higher standards and greater collaboration among the entire school community.
Special Education Teacher
Howard County Public Schools
Laurel, Maryland
08.1998 - 01.2003
- Developed and implemented IEPs and behavior intervention plans for middle school students with various disabilities, designed lessons in all major academic areas, and administered formal assessments;
- Coordinated a peer tutoring program with a local elementary school; and
- Served as a learning classroom for new or struggling teachers.
Education
Aspiring Special Education Leadership Academy -
Virginia Department of Education
08.2011
Graduate Certificate - School Administration and Supervision
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland05.2005
M.Ed. -
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee08.1998
B.A. - Psychology
King College
Bristol, Tennessee05.1994
Skills
- Program assessment and strategic planning
- Effective communication
- Staff development
- Special education law and compliance
- Educational leadership
- Budget development and expense management
- Transition planning
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Special Education Supervisor
Augusta County Public Schools
07.2020 - Current
Director
Shenandoah Valley Regional Program for Special Education
07.2017 - Current
Education Director
Commonwealth Center for Children & Adolescents
07.2014 - 07.2017
Compliance Specialist
Shenandoah County Public Schools
07.2013 - 06.2014
Assistant Education Director / IEP Coordinator
Staunton City Schools/ Commonwealth Center for Children & Adolescents
08.2008 - 06.2013
Education Director/Principal
Eliada Homes, Inc. / Eliada Academy
07.2005 - 06.2008
Instructional Team Leader
Howard County Public Schools
03.2003 - 06.2005
Special Education Teacher
Howard County Public Schools
08.1998 - 01.2003
Aspiring Special Education Leadership Academy -
Virginia Department of Education
Graduate Certificate - School Administration and Supervision
Johns Hopkins University
M.Ed. -
East Tennessee State University
B.A. - Psychology
King College
Similar Profiles
Kristy StricklerKristy Strickler
Substitute Teacher, K-5 at Augusta County Public SchoolsSubstitute Teacher, K-5 at Augusta County Public Schools
Aven AhmedAven Ahmed
Teacher's Assistant (Floater) at Shenandoah Valley HeadStart, Augusta County Public SchoolsTeacher's Assistant (Floater) at Shenandoah Valley HeadStart, Augusta County Public Schools
Brian FridleyBrian Fridley
Route Coordinator at Augusta County Public SchoolsRoute Coordinator at Augusta County Public Schools
Johnathan TrueheartJohnathan Trueheart
Software Engineer I (Cybersecurity) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HIISoftware Engineer I (Cybersecurity) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII
Lochlain HanlonLochlain Hanlon
Machine Operator (Spinning) at The LYCRA CompanyMachine Operator (Spinning) at The LYCRA Company