Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

SARAH MINNER

San Antonio,TX

Summary

A student-centered special education leader with nearly 20 years of experience in special education administration and program management, specializing in transition services and program development. Demonstrated success in conducting Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plan development with a 92% implementation rate in partnering ISDs. Core competencies include TEA and IDEA compliance, fiscal oversight, and instructional leadership, complemented by a strong commitment to educational equity, supporting all stakeholders, educators, and families, and innovative service coordination. Proven track record of improving post-secondary outcomes through effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and development of individualized transition plans.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Executive Director, Institute for Autism

Texas A&m University
San Antonio, TX
07.2022 - Current
  • Led the launch of the Autism Mobile Assessment Bus (AMABLE), which provides school-based services, Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and professional development to over 1,000 students across five ISDs.
  • Secured $1.7 million in funding, including $735,000 in grants, ensuring the expansion and sustainability of autism-related services.
  • Established partnerships with a hospital and agencies, expanding direct and indirect ABA in ISDs.
  • Managed Autism Lifeline Links (ALL), coordinating services across 12 agencies and reducing service delivery time by 20%.
  • Designed and led culturally responsive family and teacher training programs, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate, and improving educator effectiveness and parent engagement.
  • Implemented the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) for Young Adults and Adolescents, expanding autism-related services in the community.
  • Developed and led autism parent training programs in South Bexar County, where nearly 90% of participants had never received training, significantly bridging gaps in services and family education.
  • Advised partnering ISDs on programmatic compliance for students aged 3-22 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ensuring alignment with TEA and federal regulations.
  • Designed and delivered professional development programs on legal compliance, ethical standards, and behavior management, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate among educators.

18+ Transition Coordinator

Edgewood ISD
San Antonio, TX
10.2019 - 07.2022
  • District Transition Employee Designee; oversight of district-wide transition services, ensuring the provision of services
  • Managed MOUs with partnering organizations, creating pathways for students and families to access community resources, and ensuring seamless transitions to post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.
  • Participated in developing and auditing TEA Desk Reviews and Corrective Action Plans, ensuring all IEPs met state and federal compliance standards.
  • Led professional development on transition planning, Indicators 13 and 14, and 18+ services, training educators and administrators.
  • Monitored and reported on House Bill compliance, ensuring alignment with district and state policies to support students with disabilities.
  • Developed workforce training programs, collaborating with university staff, local businesses, and agencies to create job training and employment opportunities for students in the 18+ program.
  • Conducted T-TESS appraisals for special education teachers, providing instructional feedback, and performance evaluations.
  • Supervised and trained paraprofessionals on campus and in the work environment.
  • Developed and managed the 18+ Program, overseeing transition planning, student-led enterprises, master schedule, workforce development, and compliance monitoring.
  • Collaborated with campus administrators and CTE staff on graduation and IEP requirements.
  • Assisted in the development of transition plans for individuals with disabilities to ensure successful transitions from school to post-secondary activities.
  • Coordinated meetings with parents and staff members to discuss transition planning options and strategies.
  • Educated teachers on best practices for working with students exhibiting challenging behaviors.

Special Education Program Specialist

Edgewood ISD
San Antonio, TX
07.2014 - 10.2019
  • Led professional development on IEP compliance, ARD procedures, and special education law for district educators.
  • Implemented a district-wide Assistive Technology program, providing evaluations and training for staff and families.
  • District Frontline/eSped IEP Administrator – Conducted training for teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals on Frontline IEP applications, ensuring alignment with TEA and IDEA compliance.
  • Monitored compliance trends through the creation of district reports, aligning internal IEP data with PBMAS/RDA measures.
  • Monitored State Performance Plan (SPP) compliance indicators, ensuring the district met federal and state accountability measures related to IEPs, student outcomes, and transition services.
  • Created ARD templates to serve as a guide for teachers, facilitators, and administrators to utilize when preparing for ARDs.
  • Established pre- and post-ARD compliance protocols for teachers, facilitators, campus and district administrators.
  • Collaborated with campus administrators to ensure compliance with TEA, IDEA, while enhancing instructional excellence through best practices, and training.
  • Offered insights on Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and behavior support strategies, promoting student achievement.
  • Assisted campus administration in creating the master schedule to ensure the provision of services, and IEP compliance.

Autism Itinerant

Edgewood ISD
San Antonio, TX
07.2010 - 07.2014
  • Conducted district-wide training on effective strategies for supporting students with autism.
  • Implemented and modeled organized work systems for special and general education classrooms.
  • Utilized assistive technology resources when appropriate to enhance learning opportunities for individuals diagnosed with ASD.
  • Assisted with student evaluations, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on placements and interventions.
  • Guided educators in creating and implementing compliant IEPs, progress reports, and state-specific special education documentation for students with autism.
  • Assisted with classroom observations to identify developmental delays and behavioral issues.
  • Coached special education staff on documenting and implementing research-based instructional practices, aligning with the Autism Supplement.
  • Advocated for the needs of the students with disabilities.
  • Facilitated parent training sessions on topics related to autism spectrum disorder and effective parenting techniques.
  • Conducted functional behavior assessments as needed to identify problem behaviors, and develop appropriate behavior intervention plans.
  • Assisted teachers in monitoring the progress of students through data collection and analysis of outcomes.
  • Assisted in developing social skills supports for students with autism spectrum disorders.

Special Education Teacher

Edgewood ISD
San Antonio, TX
12.2005 - 06.2010
  • Developed individualized education programs (IEPs), behavior plans, and assistive technology supports for inclusion and LIFE skills settings.
  • Partnered with general education teachers to foster inclusive educational settings.
  • Implemented behavior management systems that promote positive behaviors.
  • Developed individual educational plans designed to promote educational, physical and social development.
  • Collaborated with other educational personnel to provide inclusive activities or programs for children with disabilities.
  • Monitored the educational progress of each student according to established timelines.
  • Adapted curriculum materials as needed to meet individualized student needs.

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA) -

Texas A&M University
San Antonio
01.2025

Master of Arts - Special Education, Autism & Severe Behavior Disorders

Our Lady of The Lake University
San Antonio
01.2009

Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies

The University of Texas
San Antonio
01.2005

Skills

  • Special Education Leadership
  • Strategic planning
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Fiscal & Grant Management
  • Transition Planning & Workforce Readiness
  • Data-Driven Program Management
  • Community & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Functional behavior assessments & Behavior intervention plans
  • Stakeholder collaboration

Certification

  • Texas State Board of Educator Certification, Generalist EC-4, Special Education EC-12, ESL
  • T-TESS Appraiser Certification, 2020-2022, Renewing April 2025
  • Advanced Certified Autism Specialist (IBCESS), 2023-Present
  • PEERS Certified Trainer (Young Adults, Adolescents, Pre-School and School-Based), UCLA Semel Institute

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Executive Director, Institute for Autism

Texas A&m University
07.2022 - Current

18+ Transition Coordinator

Edgewood ISD
10.2019 - 07.2022

Special Education Program Specialist

Edgewood ISD
07.2014 - 10.2019

Autism Itinerant

Edgewood ISD
07.2010 - 07.2014

Special Education Teacher

Edgewood ISD
12.2005 - 06.2010

Master of Business Administration (MBA) -

Texas A&M University

Master of Arts - Special Education, Autism & Severe Behavior Disorders

Our Lady of The Lake University

Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies

The University of Texas

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