JUANITA WALTERS

DIRECTOR OF PUPIL SERVICES

2024 – Present

Reports directly to the Superintendent of Schools, overseeing all aspects of special education and pupil services. Responsible for budgeting, scheduling, supervision, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while providing district-level leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Compliance
• Serve as the district’s compliance officer for special education laws, ensuring adherence to IDEA, Section 504, and state regulations.
• Directly supervise school psychologists, social workers, special education teachers, aides, therapists, and related service providers.
• Chair high-profile Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings, including complex cases requiring district-level leadership.
• Lead the successful reduction of LRE placements, increasing inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities.
• Program Development & Oversight
• Spearheaded the creation of a new 8:1:3 special education program, providing a structured, supportive learning environment for students with high needs.
• Developed and implemented district-wide special education policies and procedures to ensure compliance and alignment with best practices.
• Conduct ongoing evaluations of special education programs to ensure effective implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Monitor academic and behavioral support interventions, including Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
• Budget & Resource Management
• Manage the special education budget, including staffing projections, procurement, and programmatic needs.
• Secure funding through grants, including 611 and 619 grants, to enhance services and expand district initiatives.
• Monitor spending and financial planning to ensure sustainable program growth.
• Scheduling & Staff Development
• Oversee and approve schedules for special education teachers, aides, and related service providers, ensuring effective coverage.
• Identify staffing needs and work with HR to hire and onboard special education personnel.
• Provide coaching, evaluations, and feedback to teachers and support staff to enhance instructional effectiveness.
• Family & Community Engagement
• Maintain transparent communication with families, ensuring timely responses and support.
• Host workshops and meetings to educate families on special education processes and resources available to students.
• Collaborate with district leaders, principals, and community stakeholders to align special education services with district goals.

• Instructional Leadership: Led instructional walkthroughs, professional development, and teacher coaching to improve student achievement.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Analyzed student performance data to inform curriculum mapping, instructional strategies, and interventions.
• School Culture & Safety: Served as Safety Liaison & BRT Leader, creating emergency plans, conducting drills, and leading behavioral interventions.
• Special Education Oversight: Developed a progress monitoring system to ensure compliance with IEPs and provided additional prep time for special education teachers.
• Leadership & Operations: Served as Interim Acting Principal (2023), managed budgets, scheduling, vendor relations, and grant writing for school programs.
• Community & Family Engagement: Built partnerships with families, led mentorship and SEL programs, and secured funding for arts, technology, and science initiatives.
• School Branding & Development: Designed the school’s first logo, website, social media presence, uniforms, and branding initiatives.

• Working closely with the Principal to establish a positive, structured, achievement-oriented, and creative school culture
• Supporting teachers in holding all students to high and consistent behavioral expectations
• Serving as the point person for dealing with behavioral crisis intervention and acute behavioral issues
• Acting as a resource to teachers in their instructional practice, especially concerning discipline issues, relationships with students, classroom management, and school culture
• Assisting teachers, students, and parents in the effective creation and implementation of individual behavior plans
• During the day, I circulate throughout classrooms and hallways to gain valuable context on student behavior and help support a positive school culture
• I also monitor behavioral pull-outs and in-school suspensions
• Collaborative work with a school guidance counselor as well as educators from District 19 GEM (Girl Empowerment Movement) to mentor/support groups of female scholars through team activities, individual scholar interventions, and district-wide events

• Instructional Leadership: Served as Peer Collaborative Teacher and Math Stories Coach, mentoring educators and supporting instructional planning.
• Restorative Practices & SEL: Led Restorative Circles for students, teachers, and parents to foster a positive school culture and conflict resolution.
• Special Education & Compliance: Analyzed IEPs and special education services to ensure compliance and advocate for student needs.
• Data-Driven Instruction: Facilitated team meetings, assessed student data trends, and collaborated on curriculum design and authentic assessments.
• School Operations & Leadership: Assisted in developing the Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP), aligning initiatives with the school budget.
• Hiring & Professional Development: Served on the Hiring Committee, leading candidate evaluations and interview processes.
• Community Engagement: Organized parent involvement initiatives, teacher incentives, and school-wide events to strengthen partnerships.