Anjanette, Director at Special EducationConsulting: Advize Career Interview
A career in educational consulting offers a dynamic path for those passionate about improving special education.
A Director at Special Education Consulting, with 25 years' experience progressing from school psychologist to a leadership role, shares invaluable insights.
The journey began with a psychology major, but a challenging student teaching experience led to a master's in school psychology, solidifying a passion for the field.
Current responsibilities involve data analysis, collaborating with school districts, and conducting fieldwork to build effective and fiscally responsible special education programs.
A typical day blends computer work with on-site visits and meetings, requiring strong communication, technical writing, and time management skills.
The most rewarding aspect is assisting school districts in providing optimal programs for students with disabilities and empowering new leaders. Challenges include personnel shortages and funding limitations.
The ideal candidate possesses several years of experience, strong organizational and communication skills, and a data-driven approach.
A crucial lesson learned is navigating the gap between stated goals and actual implementation, demanding a positive and future-focused attitude.
Entry-level positions often involve data analysis and policy knowledge, emphasizing a willingness to learn and strong analytical abilities.
A background in the social sciences provides a solid foundation, fostering communication skills and an understanding of the psychology of change.
Finally, navigating a career in leadership as a Latina woman highlights the importance of effective communication and advocacy for students and families, particularly for multilingual learners.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Anjanette Pelletier
Director
Special EducationConsulting
UC Berkeley
Cal State Hayward, Masters in Clincial Child School Psychology
Psychology
Education
Education
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a School Psychologist in Special Education
Anjanette's career path began with a psychology major at UC Berkeley, but a negative student teaching experience revealed that "my brain was not suited for" traditional teaching. This led to a master's degree in school psychology, where fieldwork and internship experiences solidified their passion for the field, ultimately leading to a career as a school psychologist.
Main Responsibilities Of A Director At Special Education Consulting
Anjanette, a consultant at Special Education Consulting, leverages 25 years of experience—including roles as a school psychologist, special ed director, and regional director—to help California school districts "analyze their own services and personnel and finances" in special education. The work involves collaborating with various departments to build "effective, efficient, and fiscally responsible programs," emphasizing the interconnectedness of special education with the broader educational community and a focus on inclusive student opportunities.
A Day In The Life Of A Director At Special Education Consulting
A day for Anjanette, a Director at Special Education Consulting, varies between "a lot of time on the computer doing data analysis and a lot of time in meetings" from home and fieldwork visiting school districts, conducting interviews, and classroom observations to analyze inclusive practices and facilities. This flexible work style contrasts sharply with Anjanette's previous experience as a public school employee, where the work was primarily conducted within school buildings, working directly with special education leaders and students.
Most Important Skills for a Director at Special Education Consulting
Anjanette's career path highlights the gap between collegiate education and on-the-job realities in special education; the Director's current role demands "a skillset that exceeded the things that [they] learned in [their] collegiate experience," emphasizing strong communication, precise technical writing, and meticulous time management to effectively navigate complex projects and deliver insightful reports to clients.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Director At Special Education Consulting
Anjanette, a Director at Special Education Consulting, finds the most rewarding aspect of her role to be assisting school districts in "doing the best for the program" provided to students with disabilities, a challenging endeavor often marked by isolation within the education system. The ability to equip newer leaders and teams with skills to improve their programs, achieve desired outcomes, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders is what Anjanette considers "really rewarding," particularly when "it was immediately clear how" her guidance could be applied.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director At Special Education Consulting
Anjanette, a Director at Special Education Consulting, identifies the critical challenge of a shortage of qualified personnel in education as a major hurdle. This lack of qualified personnel, coupled with dwindling post-pandemic funding, leaves school systems struggling to meet the needs of students with disabilities, despite having previously received "extra money to ensure that we could hire people".
Favorite Parts of Working in Special Education as an Education Consultant
Anjanette's 25 years in special education, progressing from school psychologist to county-level director, provided rewarding work where the impact on students with disabilities was "direct," though demanding. Now, as a consultant, Anjanette enjoys focusing on "specific issues" and collaborating with teams actively engaged in the presented data and analysis, a contrast to the day-to-day operational challenges of public education.
Who Thrives In Special Education Consulting According To A Director
Success in educational consulting requires several years of experience and a broad knowledge base to effectively share information; the work also demands "internally driven" individuals with strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, able to deliver constructive, sometimes difficult feedback using data to help clients move forward.
What A Director At Special Education Consulting Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Special Education Industry
Anjanette, a Director at Special Education Consulting with 25 years in public education, reveals a crucial lesson learned: the significant disconnect between espoused values ("we say we want a thing") and actual implementation in education, particularly regarding equitable access for students with disabilities; this requires navigating adult resistance to change, necessitating a "clear, positive, future focused attitude" to overcome inevitable frustrations.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Special Education Consultants
Entry-level positions at Special Education Consulting often involve "data analysis, data science, and public policy knowledge," with a focus on applying accounting and analytical skills to educational issues, much like an "auditor style" approach. The most important qualities are a "willingness to learn" and strong data analysis skills, including data visualization, as the field is constantly evolving and requires continuous learning.
Significant Career Lesson From A Director At Special Education Consulting
Anjanette, a Director at Special Education Consulting with 25 years in public education and 3 years as a consultant, highlights the crucial lesson of "constantly be[ing] aware that things are changing" in education; this necessitates continuous improvement and a willingness to adapt to evolving student needs and technological advancements, helping organizations overcome inertia and embrace change.
College Experiences That Helped a Director of Special Education Consulting Succeed
Anjanette's undergraduate psychology degree provided a strong foundation for a career in educational consulting, enabling the ability to "craft communication" and understand "the psychology of change" when working with diverse stakeholders, from teachers to school boards. This background helps Anjanette navigate the inherent vulnerabilities involved in helping school districts identify and address challenges, "helping people integrate who they think they are with where they want to be."
How Identity Has Influenced a Director's Career in Special Education Consulting
Anjanette's career trajectory in education, while initially typical for women, became more challenging as a woman in leadership; the additional scrutiny around communication style and emotional expression, amplified by their Latina identity, required careful navigation to effectively advocate for students and families, specifically highlighting "the importance of having language representation, language materials and language access for students who are multi-language learners and their families."
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