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Kate O’Callaghan
23 Verbena Drive
Commack, NY 11725
kate.ocallaghan47@gmail.com
631-807-6118
PERMANENT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURES
School District Administrator (SDA) Permanent Certification
Special Education Teacher, Grades K-12, Permanent Certification
EDUCATION
Doctoral Candidate Ed. D., Interdisciplinary Educational Studies, L.I.U., Brookville, NY current
Certificate of Advanced Study, Educational Leadership, Dowling College, Oakdale, NY May 2006
Master of Science in Special Education, Dowling College, Oakdale, NY August 1994
Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, Kean University, Union, NJ June 1989

LEADERSHIP ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Executive Director for Student Support Services – Islip Public Schools, Islip, NY 2015 - Present
 Assists the Superintendent of Schools by providing leadership and management in ongoing planning,
development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all aspects of the district-wide PPS and
special education services.
 Directs district-wide professional development
 Annual preparation and development of the PPS / Special Education budget
 Attends and contributes to Board of Education meetings as requested and directed by the
Superintendent of Schools.
 Supervision and Evaluation – ensures coordination, articulation, and maintenance of district special
education curricula and instructional vision for each subject and program area.
 Coordinates, directs, and monitors the supervision and evaluation of all special education instructional
personnel and PPS personnel.
 Coordinates and assists the principals and Human Resource Office in the recruitment, screening,
employment, training, assignment, and evaluation of PPS / special education instructional personnel, to
ensure hiring processes across buildings and district are consistent with procedures established by the
Human Resource Office, and results in the fair and appropriate selection of qualified instructional staff.
 Plans, implements, and evaluates school district annual goals and objectives as they pertain to special
education curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development.
 Keeps informed of all legal requirements governing special education and ensures that all requirements
under administrative code, State/Federal law and board policy are met.
 Oversees the development of special education summer programs.
 Supervision of District-wide registration and enrollment practices and procedures.
 Reviews, monitors and approves all professional development workshops, conferences, or other
experiences, both in and out-of-district.
 Develops and submits to the State and Federal Governments Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) grant and other federal/state grants pertaining to special education programs and staff.
 Monitors special education program budgets as it relates to the special education program, ensuring that
budgets reflect program goals, needs, and directives.
 Maintains positive, productive, and effective relationships with teachers and other instructional staff,
related service staff and administrators.
 District-wide: DASA Officer, Title IX Investigator, Home-School Students, Residency Investigations,
Incarcerated Youth Coordinator, McKinney-Vento Coordinator, Foster Child data/verification, Designated
Educational Official/Criminal Law, Special Education Transportation, NYSED Data Reporting System
Director of Pupil Personnel Services/Special Education – East Islip UFSD, Islip Terrace, NY
2013-2015
 Supervised a comprehensive and innovative PK through Grade 12 special education program in
a school district educating approximately 4,100 students with approximately 520 students
classified in special education and 125 students meeting eligibility for 504 accommodation plans.
 District 504 Coordinator
 Working knowledge of Federal law and the NYS Part 200 Regulations of the Commissioner
governing the education of students with disabilities
 Implemented transitional programs associated with special education
 Initiated and Implemented Regional Trainings in collaboration with ESBOCES Transition
specialist, with neighboring school districts at East Islip High School regarding Career
Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS)
 Implemented a collaborative culture of literacy that included: READ 180 and System 44 program,
providing data driven decision making and scholastic coaching sessions to instructional staff
 Managed special education fiscal requirements including STACS and IDEA grants, state reports
including VR & PD reports
 Facilitated special education staffing, department meetings, IST & CST meetings
 Supervised district-wide hiring committee involved in interviewing and selecting PPS related
service staff and instructional staff
 Collaborated with local university placement offices in finalizing student teacher placements
 Evaluated teachers based on Danielson’s Framework for Teaching
 NYSAA teacher coordination of Datafolio Training, In-district Collegial Review, Staff training
 Monitored district-wide curriculum for students with disabilities
 Created and implemented a parental guidebook: Pathways to Graduation, guidelines for the NYS
certification - Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS), Skills and Achievement
Commencement Credential (SACC), Work-Based Learning Experience
 Created and monitored cohort lists for students “at risk” at the high school level, analyzing and
implementing Regents Review Courses, Regents Exam proctoring schedules, student data
 Participation in the District New Teacher workshops, RTI initiative, AIS building meetings

District CSE Chairperson, Committee on Special Education (CSE) – Massapequa UFSD,

Massapequa, NY: 2009-2013
 Chairperson for CSE meetings on the secondary level, initial eligibility meetings, program
reviews, annual reviews, parent request, manifestation determination meetings
 Co-facilitated the special education department meetings, consisting of all secondary programs
ranging from life skills to alternative education for students with social/emotional challenges
 Utilized data from CSE to make programmatic recommendations for the master schedule
 Participated and coordinated in departmental scheduling of teachers and teachers’ assistants
 Participation in the teacher observation process, IST meetings, team meetings

Administrative Coordinator, Regional Transition Specialist – ESBOCES, Holbrook, NY: 2009

 Provided professional development and technical assistance in the area of transition to
school districts in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
 Provided professional development on IEP writing including implementation, annual goals
and State Performance Plans (SPP) Indicators 13 &14 (Transition & Exit Summaries)
 Developed a Transition Manual as a guide for secondary students and parents
Supervisor (EI, CPSE & CSE) Evaluation Department – M.K. Salomon & Assoc., Plainview, NY: 2001-
2009
 The program contracted approximately 400 active teachers and therapists
 Facilitated the evaluation department, consisting of EI, CPSE, CSE evaluations
 Supervised, observed and evaluated PPS staff
 Provided staff development and workshops regarding evaluation procedures, evaluation
protocol, county and school district regulations, NYSED part 200 regulations

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Special Education Teacher and Evaluator – (EI, CPSE, CSE, SEIT) Independent Contractor,
Nassau/Suffolk County, NY: 1995-2001
 Curriculum writing for early intervention and pre-school instruction including multi-sensory
activities in accordance with the New York State Standards
 Created a child-friendly, exciting and challenging classroom environment where students were
motivated to be active learners
 Co-taught diverse learners and instructed students with a variety of special needs
 Represented students, families, agencies at IFSP, CPSE, CSE meetings
 Provided respite services to students and families

Special Education Teacher - Developmental Disabilities Institute, Huntington, NY: 1990-1999

 Administered educational evaluations within a multidisciplinary evaluation team
 Represented students and families at EI, CPSE, CSE meetings
 Co-taught diverse learners and instructed students with a variety of special needs
 Participation in Professional Development (peer coaching, teacher portfolios)

Professional Affiliations
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE)
Long Island Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (LIASCD)
Long Island Association of Special Education Administrators (LIASEA)
New York Road Runners (NYRR)