Ramona Wynder, an instructor in Northwestern State University’s College of Education and Human Development, has been invited to serve on the Louisiana Department of Education’s Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP).  SEAP is Louisiana’s state special education advisory panel.

“By participating on this committee, I will have the opportunity to assist the Louisiana Department of Education with policy guidance as it relates to special education and related services for students with disabilities in Louisiana,” Wynder said.

SEAP was established in accordance with the requirements for the Individuals with Disabilities Act and provides policy guidance to special education and related services for children with disabilities.  

The panel is made up of parents, individuals with disabilities, teachers, representatives from institutions of higher education that prepare special education teachers, state and local education officials, administrators of programs for children with disabilities, the state child welfare agency, state juvenile and adult corrections agencies and representatives of private and public charter schools.

Wynder holds an undergraduate degree in mild/moderate elementary teaching from Northwestern State and has spent more than half of her career as a special education teacher serving students in inclusion, resource and self-contained settings. She also managed a group home for adults with severe disabilities.  She currently teaches undergraduate education courses and works with alternate certification students.

“I feel I will be an asset to the advisory panel not only because of my knowledge and experience, but, most importantly, my passion and concern for children with special needs,” Wynder said.  “As we move closer to the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, I am particularly concerned about how the changes will affect this group of learners. With the increased rigor required of the standards, additional support systems and resources will have to be put in place to help students with disabilities achieve academic success.  As a member of the panel, this is one area I would hope to address as we strive to ensure a quality education for all of Louisiana’s children.”