Early Intervention & Education
Overview
Every student deserves an inclusive, individualized education that prepares them for life. Whether you're preparing for school, planning for life after graduation, or advocating for inclusive classrooms, this section connects you to tools, programs, and partners for supporting education across a lifetime.
BRFSS Brief Report: Health-Related Social Needs Among Adults with Disabilities in AlaskaNavigating Systems
Understand how to support your loved one from early education to adult transition.
Infant Learning Program (ILP)
Infant Learning Program (ILP)
The Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) advises the ILP, which supports Alaska’s infants and toddlers with developmental delays. They have a specific focus on early developmental supports, coordinated services for families, and promoting inclusive early childhood practices.
Special Education Service Agency (SESA)
Special Education Service Agency (SESA)
SESA provides expert consultation and training to support students with low-incidence disabilities. GCDSE provides governance and strategic oversight for SESA.
- Anne Freitag Library: The Anne Freitag Library supports all of the programs and grants housed at SESA by providing materials, assistive technology and information.
- Educational Materials & Tools
- Technical Assistance
Deaf Education Tools:
Special Education (SPED) Program
Special Education (SPED) Program
The Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) advises the Alaska Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (DEED) on special education policies affecting students with disabilities. SEAP provides input on education services and outcomes, compliance with IDEA, and State priorities and strategic plans.
Life After High School
Whether planning for college, employment, or daily living, these tools help youth and families take the next step.
Transition & Daily Living Curriculum
Build skills in money management, communication, self-advocacy, and community navigation.
- Rural Alaskan Post-Secondary Transition Skills Curriculum: This guide is the result of a 2023-24 pilot with Teachers in rural Alaskan communities and shows how to use the Alaskan Cultural Standards, Alaska Native regional values, discovery-based assessments, and community perspectives in transition planning.
- Alaska Transition Handbook Pathway to Adulthood & Employment
- See Employment Section
Guardianship Options
Legal Rights & Tools
Inclusive Practice Awards
The Inclusive Practice Awards honor outstanding educators who work to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity for inclusive education with their peers as part of the general education curriculum and school community. Whereas numerous educators deserve recognition for a multitude of reasons, the focus of these awards is exclusively on exemplary inclusive practices.
Award Categories
- Inclusive Practice Award: For educators or teams who model exemplary inclusive education practices
- Paraeducator of the Year: For paraprofessionals who provide outstanding classroom support
Nominees Should:
- Involve families as equal education partners
- Promote meaningful peer inclusion
- Modify curriculum or supports for general education access
Nominate Someone
Check back in the Fall for the next nomination period.
- Questions? Contact Rich Saville by phone at 907-279-8462 or email richard.saville@alaska.gov
Award Winners
2025 - 2026 Winners
2025 - 2026 Winners
2025 - 2026 Winners
- Paraeducator of the Year
- Valerie Taylor, Tri-Valley School, Healy
- Inclusive Practices Educator of the Year
- Tammy Hershmann, Birchwood ABC, Chugiak
- Inclusive Practices Team of the Year
- Anchorage School District Adult Community Transitions (ACT) Program
Nominees
- Paraeducator of the Year
- Valerie Taylor, Tri-Valley School, Healy
- Karlyn Iverson, Mountain View Elementary, Kenai
- Dan Balmer, Mountain View Elementary, Kenai
- Jennifer Hensley, Redoubt Elementary, Soldotna
- Colleen Weikel, Wasilla High School, Wasilla
- Angelica Hayes, Tri-Valley School, Healy
- Christy Von-Kirchmeyer, Service High School, Anchorage
- Inclusive Practices Educator of the Year
- David Hamilton, Annette Island Elementary, Metlakatla
- Deroy Brandt, Project SEARCH MatSu, Palmer
- Regina Frazer, Ticasuk Brown Elementary, North Pole
- Inclusive Practices Team of the Year
- ASD SPED Admin Office, Anchorage School District, Anchorage
- Soldotna Montessori Resource Team, Soldotna Montessori Charter School, Soldotna
- Haines School Paraeducator Team, Haines School, Haines
- Nondalton School Para Team, Nondalton School, Nondalton
- ASD ACT Program, Anchorage School District, Anchorage
- Autism & Behavioral Educational Liaisons (ABEL) Team, Fairbanks Northstar Borough SD, Fairbanks
- Dillingham MS/HS Wrestling Coaching Team, Dillingham MS/HS, Dillingham
2024 - 2025 Winners
2024 - 2025 Winners
2024 - 2025 Winners
- Paraeducator of the Year
- Alicia Rodarte Gouldin
- Inclusive Practices Educator of the Year
- Winter Marshall-Allen
- Inclusive Practices Team of the Year
- Chugiak High School Life Skills Team
Nominees
- Paraeducator of the Year
- Julie Brown, Kassun Elementary - Anchorage
- Arceli Carreon, Northern Lights ABC - Anchorage
- Kimberly Marchant, DeBarr Heights School - Anchorage
- Alex Pete Andrews, Anthony A. Andrews Sc - St. Michael
- Kevin Moe, Kingikmiut School - Wales
- Kimberly Navarre, Kenai Middle School - Kenai
- Allison Hoy, Hollis School - Hollis
- Amanda Baker, Hollis School - Hollis
- Inclusive Practices Educator of the Year
- Amanda Schultz (Hartman), Kassun Elementary - Anchorage
- Briana Glasionov, Kassun Elementary - Anchorage
- Betsy Hans, Kassun Elementary - Anchorage
- Laura Fish, Nikiski North Star/Intensive Needs
- Samantha Umali, Diomede School - Diomede
- Suzie Parcon-Bonafacio, Galena Interior Learning Academy
- Michelle Gist, River City Academy - Soldotna
- Inclusive Practices Team of the Year
- ACT Program Level 3-5 Team, Anchorage School District
- Trisha Bermudez Team, Schoenbar Middle School - Ketchikan
- Project SEARCH, Fairbanks North Star Bor. SD
- Galena City School District - IDEA Homeschool Team, Galena
- Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat School Team, Bethel
- Colony HS Behavioral Support Program, Matsu/Palmer
- Tustumena Elementary Intensive Needs, Kasilof
- Naukati Bay School, Thorne Bay