Schalea S. Sanders, PhD.
Middletown,DE
Summary
Experienced with high-quality classroom instruction, academic administration and educational leadership. Foster strategic planning and program development to enhance educational offerings and services for all students. Proven track record in successfully collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. Skilled in data analysis, individualized education planning, and special education law. Known for adaptability and reliability in dynamic educational environments. Strong understanding of fostering collaborative environments and achieving institutional goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Educational Diagnostician / SPED Program Manager
Delaware Department of Education
07.2024 - Current
- Manage 10-12, SPED K-12 programs across multiple school sites, ensuring alignment with all IDEA mandates including IEP development, implementation, and monitoring
- Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal teacher licensure reporting requirements
- Supervise and support 13-15 SPED faculty, staff and advisors, to ensure high-quality coaching, mentorship, and empowerment
- MTSS Implementation program-wide
- Lead data-driven Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives via Professional Development (face-to-face and online, synchronous/asynchronous)
- Analyze clinical data to drive program enhancements and support holistic student growth and achievement
- Ensure culturally responsive practices are embedded across all SPED programming and practices
- Advocate for equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities and educational resources, influencing policy decisions at the local, state, and national levels
- Support educators in strengthening curriculum and instructional methods, ensuring accessibility for all students through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and culturally responsive pedagogical practices
- Conduct comprehensive evidence-based educational assessments to identify students strengths and needs to recommend and implement appropriate interventions via the Individualized Education Program (IEP)Team
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to proactively develop targeted interventions for diverse learning challenges
Doctoral Researcher (MLLs/Exceptional Learners)
Saint John’s University
02.2022 - 05.2024
- Developed and coordinated research initiatives to promote access to standards-based, rigorous grade-level literacy instruction for Multilingual Language Learners/SPED
- Leveraged IBM SPSS to access and evaluate large-scale government restricted data files for data-driven strategic planning.
- Forged and maintained partnerships with cross-functional leaders and National Research Organizations to implement improvement across instruction and learning in ESL language and literacy development.
- Published: English Language Learners: A Quantitative Study of Digital Home Access and Its Relationship to Reading Achievement on Grades 4 & 8 (2023); Literacy Development: The 21st Century Bilingual Immersion Classroom (2018)
- Conducted in-depth literature reviews to inform research direction and methodology.
- Designed and implemented qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for data collection.
Research Specialist / Supervisor / Consultant PT
Delaware Department Of Education
09.2018 - Current
- Managed K-12 bilingual immersion, world languages, and MLL/SPED programs across multiple school sites, ensuring alignment local, state, and IDEA mandates.
- Established curriculum and instruction to connect Common Core State Standards with national WIDA standards for English Language Learners to meet both language and literacy needs of MLL/SPED across disciplines
- Lead strategic initiatives to optimize operational processes and enhance service delivery
- Develop comprehensive training programs to improve employee performance and retention
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to facilitate workshops and presentations to educate staff on best practices and operational changes
- Provide Instructional Delivery & Coaching (SPED inclusion)
- Developed and implemented process improvements resulting in streamlined workflows.
- Wrote and managed budget for Title III and other federal and state grants
Adjunct Professor / Clinical Experience Supervisor
University of Delaware
08.2013 - Current
- Supervise clinical experiences for Teacher Preparation Program (Pre-Service)
- Provide coaching, mentorship, and evaluation for pre-service teachers, resulting in high-levels of instructional quality and increased teacher retention
- Model effective instructional strategies and facilitated professional learning communities for inclusion and mainstream classrooms
- Conducted formal and informal observations, offering actionable feedback aligned with customized growth goals and state standards
- Build relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional and academic goals while providing coaching on providing students with culturally responsive learning experiences
- Create and instruct graduate and undergraduate courses online (synchronous / asynchronous) *UD, Delaware State University and Immaculata University
Spanish World Language Teacher (SPED Inclusion Classroom)
South Country SD
08.2005 - 06.2013
- Implemented ELA Common Core State Standards alongside NYS World Language Curriculum to strengthen student literacy across the content areas
- Maintained safe and positive classroom environment of mutual respect
- Taught diverse learners including MLLs/SPED by activating individual student experiences and embedding them in mainstream curriculum
- Liaised with students, parents, colleagues, and community-based diverse populations to resolve academic and social conflicts.
- Provided professional development to World Language teachers
Education
Graduate Certificate - Special Education
Wilmington University
Wilmington, DE10-2025
Ph.D. - Literacy Education (MLLs/SPED)
St. John’s University
Queens, NY01.2023
Post-Graduate Advanced Certificate - Educational Leadership And Management
SUNY Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY08-2018
Master of Science - TESOL (MLL/SPED)
St. John’s University
Queens, NY01.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish Language & Literature, Teacher Preparation
SUNY Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY01.2005
Skills
- Psychoeducational evaluation
- Early intervention assessment and strategies
- Identification of learning disabilities
- IEP management software proficiency
- Team-based problem resolution
- Experienced with Microsoft Office Suite
- Qualitative and quantitative research to drive pedagogy
- Proficient in Canvas, Blackboard, and Classlink
Accomplishments
- Supervised multi-tiered team of 50+ multidisciplinary faculty and staff members
- Resolved federal non-compliance corrective actions which led to regained institutional compliancy
- Achieved 40% increase in K-12 MLL/SPED outcomes on WIDA ACCESS exam by introducing Finish Line 2.0 software to increase oral academic language production and reading achievement outcomes for MLL/SPED students
- Streamlined ACCESS national testing procedures for 1,250 students and 50 faculty and staff across the district
- Collaborate with team of 50+ state-level multidisciplinary educational professionals in the implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of the Science of Teaching Reading
- Use Microsoft Excel to develop program-wide progress monitoring, benchmark completion, related services, and inventory tracking spreadsheets for psychoeducational evaluation materials, accessible instructional materials, sensory tools, manipulatives, and organizational aids
Affiliations
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
- American Educational Research Association (AERA)
- Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE)
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
- International Literacy Association (ILA)
- National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
- Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages International Association (TESOL)
Certification
- Special Education (SPED, expected October 2025)
- English Language Arts (ELA)
- School Principal / School Assistant Principal
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Superintendent / Assistant Superintendent
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Educational Diagnostician / SPED Program Manager
Delaware Department of Education
07.2024 - Current
Doctoral Researcher (MLLs/Exceptional Learners)
Saint John’s University
02.2022 - 05.2024
Research Specialist / Supervisor / Consultant PT
Delaware Department Of Education
09.2018 - Current
Adjunct Professor / Clinical Experience Supervisor
University of Delaware
08.2013 - Current
Spanish World Language Teacher (SPED Inclusion Classroom)
South Country SD
08.2005 - 06.2013
Graduate Certificate - Special Education
Wilmington University
Ph.D. - Literacy Education (MLLs/SPED)
St. John’s University
Post-Graduate Advanced Certificate - Educational Leadership And Management
SUNY Stony Brook University
Master of Science - TESOL (MLL/SPED)
St. John’s University
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish Language & Literature, Teacher Preparation
SUNY Stony Brook University
Core Competencies
Special Education Leadership, Clinical Supervision & Evaluation, Curriculum & Program Development, Adult Learning & Teacher Coaching, Educational Equity & Inclusion, Stakeholder Collaboration, Data-Driven Decision Making, Compliance & Licensure Oversight
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