Children’s Capacity Building Series
Navigating the Special Education System in NM with Supportive Family Advocacy
Description
During this training there will be a review of the free services offered by the DDC, Office of Special Education Ombud. These services include attending meetings to model advocacy, pre and post meeting preparation, information about special education laws in NM and more. The training will also cover the importance of the family vision and its ability to control the narrative for students’ short and long term education and transition goals. The training will also review the systemic issues impacting special education student in NM.
Objectives
Learn about the free services offered by the DDC, special education ombud of NM
Learn about the parts of the IEP where families control the narrative for short and long term goals for students
Learn about the issues OSEO has assisted families with and systemic issues impacting special education students in NM.
Facilitator
Michelle Tregembo is a native New Mexican, and lived in New Mexico her entire life. Michelle
graduated from Los Lunas high school, and earned her bachelor and master’s degrees in
education and educational leadership at the University of New Mexico. She was a public-school educator for 25 years, taught special education in a variety of small group and inclusion settings, teaching multiple subjects in multiple districts K-12. For several years she was a Peer Assistance and Review teacher K-12 for APS, and an administrator for 7 years, overseeing Special Education, SAT, 504, testing, and 500 students’ discipline, attendance, and overall wellbeing.
Michelle earned her Exceptional Needs Specialist certificate through the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards in 2001, renewed in 2011 and again in 2021. Renewal
required teaching in a classroom, reflection and growth. She has supported hundreds of
teachers through their national board journey.
Michelle has two adult children, her son is a salesman for Glazer, Southern Wine and Spirits,
and her daughter is a middle school special education teacher at a charter school in
Albuquerque. Michelle’s mother was an educator for 30 years, and her brother is an English
teacher at a private school in Albuquerque. She has a rescue dachshund and five grand
furbabies.