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Special Education

Amador County Office of Education/Unified School District’s Special Education team provides guidance, support, and services to students, families, and colleagues with the goal of ensuring all students have access to a free and appropriate public education. These efforts are driven by Amador’s Strategic Plan and the recommendations presented in the Report completed by West Ed in 2022.

The mission of the Amador Special Education Department is to provide all students, their families, and colleagues with consultation and services empowering them to be engaged, resourceful, independent, goal-directed learners and community members.

Our values: Collaboration, Compassion, Commitment 

photo of Sadie Hedegard

Sadie Hedegard
Assistant Superintendent
Special Education/SELPA
sadie.hedegard@acusd.org
209-257-5306

Contact Us

To contact us, please click the link below, which will take you to a spreadsheet. This spreadsheet has two tabs and displays the current special education department staff members serving specific school sites or programs.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us and we look forward to collaborating with you.

Contact Us

 

Special Education Staff:

Steve Russell
Director of Alternative Special Education
steve.russell@acusd.org
(209) 257-5151
Jonathan Murray
Director of Special Education, ACUSD
jonathan.murray@acusd.org
209-257-5315
Joshua Brock
Director of Special Education, ACOE
joshua.brock@acusd.org
209-257-5347
Shayla Wilder
Administrative Assistant
shayla.wilder@acusd.org
209-257-5308
Sarah Fillmore
Special Ed Technician
sarah.fillmore@acusd.org
209-257-5310
Marissa Baird
Special Ed Technician
marissa.baird@acusd.org
209-257-5361

 

 

 

Quick Links

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Procedural Guide
Coming soon in Spanish

  • Infant Development Program

    Content Coming Soon 

    Preschool Assessment

    The team of professionals who conduct special education assessments for preschool-aged children assesses students suspected of having a disability recognized by the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act (IDEA).  Referrals may also be made by Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) through a transition meeting held 6 months before a child turns 3. Those who are over 3 may be referred to us in several ways, including by their parents, Head Start, State Preschool, or daycare provider.  

    When a child is assessed, an Individual Education Program (IEP) meeting is held to review the results.  For those students found eligible for special education services, the team, which includes the parents, creates an IEP document based on the student’s areas of need.  If you reside within Amador County and would like to learn more or request a special education assessment for your preschool-aged child, please complete the Preschool Age Special Education Inquiry Form or contact the Special Education Department at 209-257-5308. 

    Community partner agencies who are submitting a referral to the special education department, please utilize the following 24-25 Community Partner Referral Google Form

    Head Start

    ATCAA Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start offer child enrichment, education, health, nutritional, and developmental services, as well as parent education and involvement opportunities. ATCAA offers Head Start preschool and State Preschool programs to prepare children for kindergarten, and Early Head Start for pregnant women and children aged birth to three. For more information, please visit the following website: ATCAA Head Start

    State Preschool

    Amador County State Preschool Program is a State-subsidized half-day program at four sites in the county. Our preschool mission is to provide highly qualified learning experiences to eligible three- and four-year-olds with a core curriculum that is culturally, developmentally, and linguistically appropriate. Breakfast is provided. For more information please visit the following website: Amador State Preschool.