Tiffany King
San Diego,CA
Summary
Strategic educational leader with over 25 years of experience advancing inclusive and innovative practices, specialized services, post-secondary transitional services, and compliance across secondary, transition, and adult programs. Extensive expertise in program administration, ADA/IDEA alignment, budget oversight, staff support and supervision, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Proven ability to lead teams, implement equitable access models, and partner with faculty, students, and community agencies to support students with disabilities across academic, behavioral, and transition domains. Committed to fostering student-centered, legally compliant, and innovative disability support services in higher education.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Instructor - Special Education & Disability Studies
San Diego County Office of Education
San Diego, CA
08.2020 - Current
- Develop and teach graduate-level coursework focused on post-secondary transitional services, assessment, collaboration, legal compliance, and inclusive practices.
- Courses include: Assessment of Learning and Teaching, Understanding Assessment, Collaboration, Communication, and Inclusive School Settings, Case Management, IEP Development, and Legal Issues, Best Practices for Students with Autism.
- Deliver research-based instruction aligned with adult learning principles and universal design for learning (UDL).
Director of Special Education
Poway Unified School District
San Diego, CA
12.2019 - Current
- Provide executive-level leadership for secondary, transition, and adult special education programs serving diverse student populations with disabilities.
- Oversee districtwide compliance with IDEA, Section 504, and state/federal regulations, ensuring equitable access and due process.
- Serve as Program and Budget Administrator for federally and state-funded initiatives, including Workability and Transition Partnership Program/Department of Rehabilitation.
- Lead development and implementation of inclusive and alternative access programs (e.g., Kitchen tABLE Academy, EMPOWER, BASES, Alternative Pathway to High School Diploma).
- Supervise multidisciplinary teams including Behavior Support, Inclusion Specialists, Low-Incidence Services, and Specialized Programs.
- Facilitate interagency collaboration through Local Partnership Agreements (LPAs) to enhance post-secondary transition, vocational, and adult services.
- Act as district liaison for attendance, discipline, and behavioral interventions within special education.
- Lead professional development initiatives focused on inclusive practices, legal compliance, case management, and retention of education specialists.
- Implement and monitor inclusive initiatives such as Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP) demonstration sites, SPAIS/Chapman University partnership, and Unified Sports.
- Served as Interim SELPA Director, providing regional leadership in governance, compliance, and service coordination.
Adjunct Professor
Azusa Pacific University
San Diego, CA
08.2015 - Current
- Instruct graduate courses emphasizing disability law, transition planning, positive behavior supports, and clinical supervision.
- Mentor emerging educators on legal frameworks, ethical practice, and student advocacy.
- Courses include: Special Education Legislation, Positive Behavior Supports, Transition Planning, Clinical Practice Supervision.
Program Specialist - Special Education
Poway Unified School District
San Diego, CA
07.2012 - 12.2019
- Provided districtwide coaching and professional development for preschool through adult transition programs.
- Supported implementation of inclusive services and aligned programming across SELPA, county offices, and non-public agencies.
- Served as IEP team administrator, ensuring compliance, documentation accuracy, and collaborative decision-making.
- Coordinated Extended School Year (ESY) services and developed behavior intervention frameworks.
Special Education Teacher & Department Chair
Westview High School - Poway Unified School District
, CA
08.2004 - 06.2012
- Delivered instruction in resource and special day class settings across academic content areas.
- Led departmental curriculum development, scheduling, staffing, and compliance processes.
- Represented site administration in IEP implementation and staff training initiatives.
Instructional Assistant - Special Education
Poway High School - Poway Unified School District
Poway, CA
10.1999 - 06.2004
- Supported students with disabilities through instructional, behavioral, and academic interventions.
Education
Clear Administrative Services Credential - Educational Administration
San Diego County Office of Education
01.2022
Master of Science - Special Education
National University
01.2010
Clear Education Specialist Credential - Mild/Moderate Disabilities
01.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
San Diego State University
01.2004
Skills
- Collaborative leadership and stakeholder engagement
- Innovative and individualized programming
- Disability access and compliance (IDEA, Section 504, ADA)
- Inclusive practices and universal design
- Program and budget administration
- Staff supervision and professional development
- Student accommodations and case management
- Behavior intervention and support systems
- Transition and postsecondary readiness
Professional References
- Stacey McCrath-Smith, Executive Director, Special Education, 206-999-1169
- Doyan Howard, Director, Student Support Services, 760-845-1006
- Crystal Ochoa, Director, 858-243-5994
- Scott Jaegar, Director, Department of Rehabilitation, 858-218-5899
Timeline
Adjunct Instructor - Special Education & Disability Studies
San Diego County Office of Education
08.2020 - Current
Director of Special Education
Poway Unified School District
12.2019 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Azusa Pacific University
08.2015 - Current
Program Specialist - Special Education
Poway Unified School District
07.2012 - 12.2019
Special Education Teacher & Department Chair
Westview High School - Poway Unified School District
08.2004 - 06.2012
Instructional Assistant - Special Education
Poway High School - Poway Unified School District
10.1999 - 06.2004
Clear Administrative Services Credential - Educational Administration
San Diego County Office of Education
Master of Science - Special Education
National University
Clear Education Specialist Credential - Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
San Diego State University