Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Kelly MacPherson

Kelly MacPherson

Portsmouth,VA

Summary

Visionary instructional and policy leader with over 20 years of experience in special education, general education, program development, and multi-tiered systems of support. Proven track record in shaping districtwide policies, leading regulatory alignment efforts, and securing federal and state funding to enhance inclusive education. Expertise includes urban and rural school districts, providing a deep understanding of diverse community contexts and systemic challenges across various grade levels and subjects. Committed to dismantling systemic barriers and ensuring educational excellence for historically marginalized learners through strategic planning, effective communication, and ongoing professional development at both district and state levels.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Exceptional Children

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools
03.2024 - Current
  • Led strategic direction and oversight of the Exceptional Children's Program across a multi-school district, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (IDEA, Section 504, NC DPI guidelines), achieving a compliance rate of 96%.
  • Developed and implemented procedural manuals and SOPs for compensatory education, data collection, IEP compliance, transition services, and parent collaboration, resulting in a ##% increase in process efficiency.
  • Provided ongoing training and mentorship for educators, coordinators, paraprofessionals, and administrators through a districtwide professional development sequence, increasing training satisfaction by 50%.

Special Education Coordinator

Suffolk Public Schools
12.2019 - 02.2024
  • Provided direct support for IEP development and data-driven instructional plans, enhancing classroom structure and compliance with state regulations.
  • Delivered ongoing professional development for teachers and administrators, increasing training satisfaction by 50%.
  • Partnered with the technology department to ensure accuracy of state reports, improving data integrity for average daily attendance and special education indicators.

Teacher Specialist

Norfolk Public Schools
07.2013 - 12.2019
  • Supported elementary, middle school, and special education programs through instructional coaching, professional development, and compliance support.

Department Chair, Special Education

Maury High School
07.2011 - 12.2013
  • Led special education department, coordinating staff and resources to enhance program delivery and compliance.

General Education Teacher, Grades 4-5

Crossroads Elementary School
07.2008 - 07.2011

Inclusion Special Education Teacher & Team Lead, Grades K-1

Crossroads Elementary School
07.2004 - 07.2008

Inclusion Special Education Teacher & Team Lead, Grade 5

Suburban Park Elementary School
08.1999 - 07.2004

Self-Contained Special Education Teacher, Grades 9-12

Bethel High School
08.1994 - 08.1999

Special Education Resource Teacher, Grades 3-4

Mt. Vernon Elementary School
10.1993 - 08.1994

Education

Doctor - Education, Policy, Planning, and Leadership

College of William & Mary
08.2025

Special Education - Emotional Disturbance

Old Dominion University
08.2025

Certification - Gifted Education

University of Virginia
08.2025

Elementary Education - NK-8

University of Mississippi
08.2025

Journalism - undefined

Radford University
08.2025

Skills

  • Special education regulations
  • Program & Budget Management
  • Strategic Planning & Implementation
  • Cross-agency collaboration
  • Curriculum & Instructional Design
  • Family & Community Engagement
  • State/Federal Reporting & Accountability
  • Inclusive leadership practices
  • Professional Development & Coaching

Accomplishments

  • Collaborated with team of four in the development of standard operating procedures that align with federal and state regulations under IDEA.
  • Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
  • Achieved increased compliance and outreach by introducing Google Forms for tracking evaluations, increasing timely professional development, and daily tasks.
  • Supervised team of four to 25 staff members.

Certification

  • Licensed [Job Title] - [Timeframe]

Timeline

Director of Exceptional Children

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools
03.2024 - Current

Special Education Coordinator

Suffolk Public Schools
12.2019 - 02.2024

Teacher Specialist

Norfolk Public Schools
07.2013 - 12.2019

Department Chair, Special Education

Maury High School
07.2011 - 12.2013

General Education Teacher, Grades 4-5

Crossroads Elementary School
07.2008 - 07.2011

Inclusion Special Education Teacher & Team Lead, Grades K-1

Crossroads Elementary School
07.2004 - 07.2008

Inclusion Special Education Teacher & Team Lead, Grade 5

Suburban Park Elementary School
08.1999 - 07.2004

Self-Contained Special Education Teacher, Grades 9-12

Bethel High School
08.1994 - 08.1999

Special Education Resource Teacher, Grades 3-4

Mt. Vernon Elementary School
10.1993 - 08.1994

Special Education - Emotional Disturbance

Old Dominion University

Certification - Gifted Education

University of Virginia

Elementary Education - NK-8

University of Mississippi

Journalism - undefined

Radford University

Doctor - Education, Policy, Planning, and Leadership

College of William & Mary
Kelly MacPherson
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