Maria L. Modzelewski
Erie,PA
Summary
Experienced with managing special education and pupil support programs to enhance student success. Utilizes strategic planning and team collaboration to implement effective educational initiatives. Track record of ensuring compliance with educational standards and fostering professional development for staff.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Special Education
Iroquois School District
10.2019 - Current
- Provide executive leadership and oversight for Special Education, Gifted Education, and Section 504/ADA services across the district
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including PDE reporting and Bureau of Special Education requirements
- Facilitate community partnerships and outreach to support integrated student services
- Collaborate with the Superintendent and administrative team on strategic planning, staffing, budgeting, and program development
- Oversee school-based mental health initiatives, including Student Assistance Program (SAP), Specialized Student Intervention Program (SSIP), and outpatient partnerships
- Serve as district liaison for interagency collaboration with community mental health providers and child-serving systems
- Supervise multidisciplinary teams, including school psychologists, special education staff, and support personnel
- Facilitate crisis response, threat assessment processes, and trauma-informed practices across K–12 settings
- Design and deliver professional development on IEP development, LRE, compliance, and instructional practices
- Co-authored and secured federal grant funding ($625,000) supporting community-based prevention and student support initiatives
School Psychologist
Iroquois School District
08.2011 - 10.2019
- Conduct psychoeducational evaluations (PreK–12) to determine eligibility and guide instructional programming
- Collaborate with families, educators, and agencies to coordinate comprehensive student supports
- Provide counseling, behavioral interventions, and crisis response services
- Lead threat assessment processes and support student transitions from mental health placements
- Deliver professional development on child abuse reporting, behavioral supports, and special education processes
- Co-authored federal grant supporting youth development and prevention programming
School Psychologist
Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit
02.2009 - 07.2011
- Conduct formal psycho-educational evaluations for children in the Early Childhood Intervention program (Erie, Crawford, Warren Counties) and Corry Area School District
- Consult and inform families regarding their child’s disability and help coordinate services to support the child in the home, school, and community setting
- Consult and collaborate with IEP Team members on the implementation and delivery of Special Education services
- Active participant on MDT, IEP, Elementary SAP, Clinical Emotional Support, Building Level Intervention, Building Level Crisis, School Improvement Teams, and Early Intervention Learning Committee
Special Education Coordinator/School Psychologist (1.5 years)
Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center (RTF)
11.2007 - 02.2009
- Coordinated special education programming for students in a residential treatment setting
- Developed IEPs, behavior plans, and transition supports
- Collaborated with clinical and educational teams to support complex student needs
Education
Ph.D. - Special Education Leadership & Parent Advocacy
Concordia University of Chicago
05-2028
Administrative I Principal PK–12 -
Gannon University
01-2019
Educational Specialist II - School Psychologist PK–12
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
01-2014
Educational Specialist I - School Psychologist PK–12
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
01-2007
Master of Education - Educational Psychology
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
01-2005
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
01-2003
Skills
- Special Education Law & Compliance (IDEA, FAPE, LRE, MDR)
- Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
- School-Based Mental Health Systems
- Interagency Collaboration
- Program Development & Strategic Planning
- Data-Based Decision Making
- Crisis Response & Threat Assessment
- Professional Development & Adult Learning
Accomplishments
- Ukeru Train-the-Trainer Certification, 2019-2025
- Crisis Prevention Intervention Certification, 2017-2025
- PAK12 Threat Assessment Training, 2021
- Federal Drug-Free Communities Grant (2022–2027), $625,000
- Federal Drug-Free Communities Grant (2018–2022), $625,000 (Co-Author)
- Student Assistance Program (SAP) Certification, 2015
- Trainer, Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (Child Abuse Reporting), 2013
- Outstanding Graduate Student in Educational Psychology, 2007
- Outstanding Graduate Student in School Psychology, 2005
Affiliations
- Active Member, Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services Administrators (PAPSA)
- Active Member, National Association of Pupil Services Administrators (NAPSA)
- LEA Representative, Local Task Force 5 (LTF5), Pennsylvania Right to Education Task Force
SCHOLARLY CONTRIBUTIONS
Modzelewski, M., & Will, V. (in press, 2026). Institutional communication and mandated advocacy within public education: Advancing trauma-informed systems through sense-making and interagency collaboration. In Mental Health Case Studies With Implications for Communication. Kendall Hunt Publishing.
- Contributed to Module 4: Mental Health and Organizations
- Focus areas: interagency collaboration, trauma-informed systems, institutional empathy, and educational leadership
Timeline
Director of Special Education
Iroquois School District
10.2019 - Current
School Psychologist
Iroquois School District
08.2011 - 10.2019
School Psychologist
Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit
02.2009 - 07.2011
Special Education Coordinator/School Psychologist (1.5 years)
Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center (RTF)
11.2007 - 02.2009
Educational Specialist II - School Psychologist PK–12
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Master of Education - Educational Psychology
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D. - Special Education Leadership & Parent Advocacy
Concordia University of Chicago
Administrative I Principal PK–12 -
Gannon University
Educational Specialist I - School Psychologist PK–12
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania