Kelly Mertens, M.Ed, C.A.G.S
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Kelly Mertens brings over two decades of experience in special education to her diverse roles in the field. With eleven years serving as a special education administrator in Massachusetts and prior experience as a middle and high school special education teacher, Kelly possesses a deep understanding of the nuances within the special education landscape.
Currently, Kelly holds faculty positions at prestigious institutions such as Boston University, Salem State University, and Stonehill College. Her focus lies in student teacher programs, where she collaborates with educators from the Landmark School in Beverly and beyond. Through her consulting work, Kelly engages with educators statewide, maintaining contracts with over 40 districts for the 2023 School Year. Kelly's academic journey includes a Bachelor’s degree from Union College, a Master’s degree in Special Education from Salem State University, and a C.A.G.S. in School Leadership and Administration from American International College. Residing in Lynnfield with her husband and two children, Kelly is deeply rooted in her local community. Recognized as an approved independent Professional Development Point (PDP) provider by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (PDP #2016007), Kelly holds an array of licenses spanning various educational roles. Her licensure encompasses Superintendent, Administrator of Special Education at all levels, Principal/Assistant Principal across PK-6, 5-8, and 9-12 levels, and Teacher of Moderate Disabilities at corresponding levels, all supplemented with SEI Endorsement. Kelly's commitment to excellence extends beyond her individual capacities. She collaborates with specialized providers, including certified reading tutors, PK teaching staff, and therapists, to ensure comprehensive support for student-specific cases as needed. With her wealth of experience, Kelly remains dedicated to advancing inclusive education practices and empowering educators across Massachusetts. |
Relevant Professional Experiences
Professional Development Facilitator- Topics Include: Implications of Disabilities in the Classroom, Specially Designed Instruction, IEP Bootcamp, Progress Monitoring, Making Sense of Assessments, Inclusive Practices, Universal Design for Learning, Co-Teaching, Executive Functioning, Community Involvement, Transition, Instructional Assistant Strategies, IEP Development, Goal Writing, Civil Rights, Learning Disabilities, Special Education Laws and Practices, Collaboration and Creating Accessible Curriculum.
Roundtable Facilitator at EDCO Collaborative 2016-present
Course Developer: Unpacking Special Education
Course Instructor: Data Driven Instruction, Reading and Disabilities, Psycho-Assessment and Evaluations
Professional Development facilitator of Lexington Public School's Language Learning Program
Course Facilitator, Educational Development Center: Improving Math Learning for Students with Disabilities.
Moodle Course Developer: “Accessibility: Creating Curriculum for All Students”.
District Mentor Presenter: Successful Parent Interactions; Navigating IEP Processes and Communicating Progress.
Special Education Study Group Participant: Goals and objectives Course Manual.
Mathematics Study Group Participant: Breaking Down Barriers for All Students.
Relevant Trainings
Urban Collaborative National Conferences - Florida, Illinois
Conference for Exceptional Children - Indiana
Learning Differences Conference, Harvard University
Adult Learning Theory, Ellie Drago-Severson
High Expectations Teaching, Research for Better Teaching
Supervision and Evaluation, Teachers 21 (familiar with baseline edge and teachpoint)
Rejected IEPs: To Settle or Not to Settle, EDCO
Metrowest Literacy Symposium, EDCO
Best Practices for Identifying and Addressing School Refusal and Truancy
Legal Issues in Educating Students with Disabilities
Reflective Leadership Course
Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ YOUTH, DESE
Coping with Loss, Maria Trozzi
IEP Development: Writing Measurable Goals and Benchmarks, EDCO
Behavioral Health Conference, EDCO/Northshore Consortium
Transition Assessments, DESE
Student Self Determination, DESE
Mostly Special Ed with a Touch of 504
EDCO Roundtables for Sped Team Chairs/Admin
Kurzweil Assistive Tech Training
Preventing Teen Relationship Abuse, Dept. of Public Health, MA
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Restraint Training, Crisis Prevention Intervention
Community Service Learning Advanced Workshop
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
Six Traits Writing Program
Introduction to Moodle
MCAS Alternate Assessment
Additional Coursework
Universal Design, Gordon College
Universal Design for Learning Course I and II, UMass Boston, DESE
Generalist Transition Planning, UMass Boston, DESE
Successful Co-Teaching Strategies: Increasing Inclusion Effectiveness, BER
Affirming Human Differences for Equity and Inclusion, Endicott College
Skillful Teaching: Using Data Day to Day, Framingham State College
Brain Based Teaching: Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom, Dr. Judy Willis
Middle School Math Accessibility Workshop, EDC
Working Successfully with Difficult and Disruptive Students: Strategies that Work, BER
Professional Development Facilitator- Topics Include: Implications of Disabilities in the Classroom, Specially Designed Instruction, IEP Bootcamp, Progress Monitoring, Making Sense of Assessments, Inclusive Practices, Universal Design for Learning, Co-Teaching, Executive Functioning, Community Involvement, Transition, Instructional Assistant Strategies, IEP Development, Goal Writing, Civil Rights, Learning Disabilities, Special Education Laws and Practices, Collaboration and Creating Accessible Curriculum.
Roundtable Facilitator at EDCO Collaborative 2016-present
Course Developer: Unpacking Special Education
Course Instructor: Data Driven Instruction, Reading and Disabilities, Psycho-Assessment and Evaluations
Professional Development facilitator of Lexington Public School's Language Learning Program
Course Facilitator, Educational Development Center: Improving Math Learning for Students with Disabilities.
Moodle Course Developer: “Accessibility: Creating Curriculum for All Students”.
District Mentor Presenter: Successful Parent Interactions; Navigating IEP Processes and Communicating Progress.
Special Education Study Group Participant: Goals and objectives Course Manual.
Mathematics Study Group Participant: Breaking Down Barriers for All Students.
Relevant Trainings
Urban Collaborative National Conferences - Florida, Illinois
Conference for Exceptional Children - Indiana
Learning Differences Conference, Harvard University
Adult Learning Theory, Ellie Drago-Severson
High Expectations Teaching, Research for Better Teaching
Supervision and Evaluation, Teachers 21 (familiar with baseline edge and teachpoint)
Rejected IEPs: To Settle or Not to Settle, EDCO
Metrowest Literacy Symposium, EDCO
Best Practices for Identifying and Addressing School Refusal and Truancy
Legal Issues in Educating Students with Disabilities
Reflective Leadership Course
Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ YOUTH, DESE
Coping with Loss, Maria Trozzi
IEP Development: Writing Measurable Goals and Benchmarks, EDCO
Behavioral Health Conference, EDCO/Northshore Consortium
Transition Assessments, DESE
Student Self Determination, DESE
Mostly Special Ed with a Touch of 504
EDCO Roundtables for Sped Team Chairs/Admin
Kurzweil Assistive Tech Training
Preventing Teen Relationship Abuse, Dept. of Public Health, MA
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Restraint Training, Crisis Prevention Intervention
Community Service Learning Advanced Workshop
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
Six Traits Writing Program
Introduction to Moodle
MCAS Alternate Assessment
Additional Coursework
Universal Design, Gordon College
Universal Design for Learning Course I and II, UMass Boston, DESE
Generalist Transition Planning, UMass Boston, DESE
Successful Co-Teaching Strategies: Increasing Inclusion Effectiveness, BER
Affirming Human Differences for Equity and Inclusion, Endicott College
Skillful Teaching: Using Data Day to Day, Framingham State College
Brain Based Teaching: Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom, Dr. Judy Willis
Middle School Math Accessibility Workshop, EDC
Working Successfully with Difficult and Disruptive Students: Strategies that Work, BER