Special Education

Special education services and programs are designed to meet the unique needs of children and youth with exceptionalities. Through individualized and specially designed instruction, children with special needs master curricula and develop important skills for living and learning in the 21st century.

Fayette County Schools Special Education Department is eager to assist students and their families in understanding and navigating the special education process. We welcome questions and suggestions so contact us anytime!

J. Mark Gladwell
Special Education Director
jgladwell@k12.wv.us

Fayette County Special Education Staff

J. Mark Gladwell
Special Education Director
jgladwell@k12.wv.us

Brittany Canaday
Compliance
brittany.canaday@k12.wv.us

Tammy Roop
Secretary
tammy.roop@k12.wv.us

Special Education Specialists

Amanda Sisk (NRI, NRP & VPK-8)
asisk@k12.wv.us

Amanda Allen (MBRS, MTHS, OHMS, OHHS, & FIT)
akallen@k12.wv.us

Angie Jones (FPK-8, MBRS, & MTES
amjones@k12.wv.us

Karen Underwood (PreK and Related Services)
kmunderw@k12.wv.us

School Psychologists

Jennifer York-Lilly
jyork@k12.wv.us

Barbie Jordan
barbara.jordan@k12.wv.us

Occupational Therapists

Elizabeth Cormack
ecormack@k12.wv.us

Hope Wright
hope.wright@k12.wv.us

Kristi Harvey (COTA)
kristi.harvey@k12.wv.us

Physical Therapists

Taylor Walker
taylor.walker@k12.wv.us

Sharon Pack
sharon.pack@k12.wv.us

Special Education Questions & Answers

What is an IEP?
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the heart of the planning process for special education services. It is developed by parents and educators and addresses the student’s strengths and weaknesses. The IEP is an important planning process.

What is a multidisciplinary evaluation?
If a child is suspected of having an exceptionality, a team of qualified staff (e.g., teachers, psychologist, principal) meet with you to determine the various tests that may help the team decide if your child has an exceptionality and needs specially designed instruction.

Contact your child’s teacher and/or principal to schedule a Student Assistance Team (SAT) meeting. A group of educators will look at your child’s progress and help you understand and decide what steps should be taken next.

What is a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)?
An appropriate education is based on access and participation in the general curriculum. In West Virginia, the general curriculum is the Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives. The IEP Team develops an IEP that describes the special education and related services that will allow your child to make progress in the content standards. Special education must be delivered in the least restrictive environment (LRE) which may be the general classroom for all or part of the day or, for some students, a separate special education class.

For more information, see West Virginia State Board of Education Policy 2419:

Regulations for the Education of Students with Exceptionalities