Katherine Minard is proud of the fact that she has supported public education for over 30 years across 3 different states. She brings both her extensive experience and passion for public education to Coolidge Unified School District for her 5th year as the Director of Special Services.
Kathy earned her Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She taught special education in Madison, Wisconsin before moving to sunny Arizona. She taught middle school aged students with severe emotional disabilities at a day school for the Mesa Public Schools prior to moving to Portland, Oregon. In Portland, Kathy taught high school aged students with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities and was the Department Chairperson for 7 years at Beaverton High School. She also spent some of her time in Portland working on a second Master’s Degree in Communication and Educational Administration.
When Kathy, her husband and two children moved back to Phoenix she went back to work for the Mesa Public School District. For the next 18 years she worked as an elementary aged special education teacher, taught 6th grade, was the Behavioral Specialist with the alternative schools as well as the Section 504 Coordinator for the Mesa School District.
Kathy and her husband added another child to the family and during many of these years she worked part time to raise their children. After their children were grown, Kathy decided to become a school district administrator. This is her 8th year in school administration.
Some of Kathy’s proudest accomplishments include being PTO President for her children’s schools for several years, being elected the President of Special Education Administrator’s Association by her colleagues and making sure that she puts children first in every educational decision she makes.