Marie Sonsalla

Leadership & Compliance:

• Provided district-wide leadership to ensure compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), HIPAA, FERPA, and other state/federal regulations.
• Interpreted and enforced policies affecting special education services, maintaining compliance with due process requirements.
• Oversaw programs for students ages 3-21, including evaluation, transition planning, and instructional services.
• Completed three cycles of Procedural Compliance Self-Assessment (RDA:PCSA)

Program & Staff Management:

• Supervised special education teachers, paraprofessionals, school psychologists, Medicaid providers, and clerical staff.
• Recruited, selected, and evaluated special education personnel, ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Coordinated staffing allocations and caseloads, optimizing resource distribution throughout the school year.
• Managed caseloads for special education staff members, ensuring timely completion of necessary documentation and adherence to established deadlines.

Budget & Resource Allocation:

• Collaborated with Finance Administrator on IDEA and Medicaid funding while ensuring effective resource utilization.
• Secured and allocated funding for student services and staff training to enhance program outcomes.

Professional Development & Training:

• Conducted professional development on instructional strategies, legal compliance, and effective teaching techniques for teachers, paraprofessionals and other staff.
• Mentored and supported newly hired special education personnel for smooth integration.

Data & Assessment:

• Compiled and submitted reports to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) as required.
• Developed data-driven progress monitoring systems to inform instructional decision-making and track student achievement.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Fostered partnerships with community organizations to provide additional resources for students.
• Mediated parent concerns and engaged families in the special education process.
• Promoted inclusive environments through collaboration between general and special education personnel.
• Coordinated special education services through frequent principal collaboration and consultation.

Student Success & Behavioral Support:

• Coordinated transition planning between grade levels and post-secondary opportunities.
• Implemented evidence-based interventions and positive behavior supports to enhance student engagement.
• Conducted regular reviews of student progress, adjusting instructional approaches based on data analysis.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to conduct comprehensive evaluations of students suspected of having disabilities, guiding subsequent eligibility determination and IEP development processes.
• Formulated and implemented school safety and security policies.

Key Achievements:

• Spearheaded parent engagement initiatives to strengthen family involvement in education.
• Reduced behavioral incidents by promoting positive behavior interventions and supports.
• Maintained compliance with policies, legal requirements, and safety standards.

• Facilitated collaboration among parents, educators, administrators, and service providers to enhance student outcomes in academic achievement, social-emotional learning, and mental health.
• Connected students and families with essential community resources, including medical and mental health treatment, Jackson County, La Crosse County, and Monroe County Human Services programs (Birth to Three, CCS/CLTS), autism therapies, parenting supports, and resources to meet basic needs.
• Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
• Conducted comprehensive psychological assessments to identify students' needs, facilitating tailored support plans.
• Led initial and re-evaluation meetings, determining special education eligibility and need for specialized instruction.
• Consulted with parents and teachers to address academic and behavioral concerns, providing data-driven recommendations.
• Developed and supported the implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) based on Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) to promote academic, functional, and social-emotional growth.
• Supported and guided Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to address diverse student needs.
• Established systems and documentation for ELMSS/MTSS, problem-solving teams, and data-based decision-making.
• Analyzed academic and behavioral data to inform intervention strategies and improve student outcomes.
• Supervised practicum students from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, providing mentorship and professional guidance.