Rachel Welch
Lakewood
Summary
Student-centered special education administrator and Elementary Assistant Principal with experience supporting full-continuum programs, including mild to moderate and moderate to severe settings. Skilled in leading and supporting staff, facilitating complex IEP processes, and collaborating with families, advocates, and attorneys in high-stakes situations. Known for a calm, collaborative leadership style that balances legal compliance, instructional quality, and compassionate decision-making to support students with diverse academic, behavioral, and communication needs.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Program Specialist
Palos Verdes Peninsula USD
Palos Verdes, CA
04.2024 - Current
- Directed compliance oversight and instructional support for special education programs across eight elementary schools; authored Prior Written Notices.
- Served as district advisor to eight principals and multidisciplinary service providers, supporting best practices, compliance, and effective program implementation.
- Led discipline-specific work-alike meetings (SLP, OT, APE, school psychologists, and teachers) to promote alignment and consistency across sites.
- Facilitated three to five high-stakes IEP meetings weekly involving attorneys and advocates, ensuring collaborative, transparent, and legally sound outcomes.
- Coached and mentored teachers, service providers, and paraprofessionals to strengthen instructional quality and program effectiveness.
- Designed and delivered professional development focused on inclusive practices and evidence-based interventions.
- Coordinated placements and services in collaboration with Nonpublic Schools, Nonpublic Agencies, SELPA, and community partners.
- Led curriculum and program planning with a focus on Least Restrictive Environment and equitable access for all students.
Elementary Assistant Principal (Interim)
Palos Verdes Peninsula USD
Palos Verdes, CA
10.2024 - 06.2025
- Provided compliance oversight for two full-continuum campuses, including six moderate to severe classrooms.
- Authored Prior Written Notices to ensure decisions were clearly documented and legally defensible.
- Supervised and evaluated more than 60 staff members, completing 41 formal and informal evaluations.
- Led over 150 IEP meetings involving attorneys and advocates, ensuring collaborative and defensible outcomes.
- Managed site operations, including scheduling, discipline, safety planning, and family and community engagement.
- Facilitated SST and Section 504 meetings, advancing inclusive practices with a particular focus on TK–2 students.
- Developed and delivered professional development in the Sonday System, TouchMath, Unique Learning System, and instructional bootcamps.
- Supported implementation of UDL, Science of Reading, and other research-based practices, contributing to 2024–25 CAASPP results of 80.8% ELA and 75.4% Math proficiency.
Student Services Coordinator
Magnolia School District
Anaheim, CA
07.2023 - 04.2024
- Oversaw autism-specific, non-categorical, and moderate to severe programs serving students in preschool through sixth grade
- Supervised and coordinated Extended School Year (ESY) services, including staffing and service delivery.
- Chaired IEP meetings as administrative designee, guiding teams through procedural safeguards and sound decision-making.
- Designed and delivered professional development for teachers and paraprofessionals focused on inclusive practices and data-informed instruction.
- Partnered with SELPA, community agencies, and district departments to align resources and services with student needs.
Special Education Coordinator
Manhattan Beach USD
Manhattan Beach, CA
01.2023 - 06.2023
- Administered special education services for students ages 3–22, including Preschool, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Private School, Adult Transition, and MWELL programs.
- Managed Nonpublic School and Residential Treatment Center placements, coordinating ERICS and WRAP services and supporting placement monitoring and transition planning.
- Coordinated and supported Special Day Class programs, SELPA regionalized programs, Nonpublic Schools, and Residential Treatment Center placements.
- Assisted with supervision and coordination of Extended School Year services, including staffing and service delivery.
- Coordinated, facilitated, and evaluated the IEP development and implementation process; served as administrative designee at IEP meetings as needed.
- Designed, implemented, and evaluated professional development and training for special education staff and instructional aides.
- Served as district liaison with SELPA and external partners to support collaboration, communication, and alignment of services.
MTSS Student Support TOSA
Manhattan Beach USD
Manhattan Beach, CA
01.2022
- Co-developed MTSS math interventions at elementary and secondary levels.
- Served as SST Coordinator and MTSS data team member.
Education Specialist / Case Manager
Manhattan Beach USD
Manhattan Beach, CA
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Delivered differentiated instruction for K–7 diverse learners.
- Conducted assessments, developed goals, and monitored progress.
- Served as SST Coordinator and private school assessor for MBMS.
- Supported ESY planning under Director of Special Education.
- Collaborated with families and staff to ensure compliance and LRE.
Elementary Assistant Principal
Bellflower USD
Bellflower, CA
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Led site special education; acted as lead administrator during state audit.
- Coordinated 504s, SSTs, CELDT, SBAC, and CAA.
- Designed parent workshops and Title I outreach.
- Evaluated certificated/classified staff and supported site operations.
Education Specialist / Case Manager
Torrance USD
Torrance, CA
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Implemented instruction for K–5 RSP students.
- Designed before/after school literacy and math interventions.
- Created video game-based social skills program for ASD, still in use.
- Contributed to LCAP; served as Admin Designee, SBAC Coordinator, and Achieve3000 Trainer.
- Applied MTSS interventions using Aimsweb progress monitoring.
Education Specialist / Case Manager (RSP/SDC)
Los Angeles USD
Brentwood, CA
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Delivered instruction in RSP and SDC classrooms (K–5).
- Coordinated full IEP process in compliance with IDEA and Ed Code.
- Designed interventions using student data and curriculum measures.
- Collaborated with general and special education staff to expand LRE access.
Education
M.A. - Special Education
Loyola Marymount University
05-2008
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Concordia University
05-2016
Skills
- Collaborative leadership
- Inclusion strategies
- Parent-teacher communication
- Social skills development
Certification
- California Administrative Services Credential
- California Education Specialist Instruction Credential
- UCLA Semel Institute – PEERS Certified
- Executive Functioning Coach – Certified
Awards & Recognition
CAC Award – Southwest SELPA, Redondo Beach (2023), HSA Shining Star Award – PVPUSD (2025)
Timeline
Elementary Assistant Principal (Interim)
Palos Verdes Peninsula USD
10.2024 - 06.2025
Special Education Program Specialist
Palos Verdes Peninsula USD
04.2024 - Current
Student Services Coordinator
Magnolia School District
07.2023 - 04.2024
Special Education Coordinator
Manhattan Beach USD
01.2023 - 06.2023
MTSS Student Support TOSA
Manhattan Beach USD
01.2022
Education Specialist / Case Manager
Manhattan Beach USD
01.2017 - 01.2022
Elementary Assistant Principal
Bellflower USD
01.2016 - 01.2017
Education Specialist / Case Manager
Torrance USD
01.2012 - 01.2016
Education Specialist / Case Manager (RSP/SDC)
Los Angeles USD
01.2010 - 01.2012
M.A. - Special Education
Loyola Marymount University
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Concordia University