The Enhancing Capacity for Special Education Leadership (ECSEL) program at the University of Washington Bothell prepares candidates interested in administering special education programs through a non-degree program that leads to the required Washington State Resident Program Administrator Certification. Our faculty are here to support you.
Bill Rasplica
William Rasplica retired after 18 years serving as the Executive Director of Learning Support Services for the Franklin Pierce Schools in Tacoma, WA. Prior to working in Franklin Pierce, Bill worked in administrative positions in the White River School District, the Sumner School District and the Seattle Public Schools. In addition, he was an assistant director in Illinois and worked in Iowa as the principal at a day treatment program at an Area Education Agency (AEA).
He has had responsibility for program accountability and development in the areas of special education, Title 1, Learning Assistance Program, English Language Learners and Section 504. Bill has extensive experience in district-wide (K-12) and school-based implementation of MTSS, including the areas of universal screening, multi-level prevention systems, progress monitoring, and data-based decision making.
Bill was the recipient of the 2018 WASA/PEMCO Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Award. The award was presented on June 25, 2018, at the WASA/AWSP Summer Conference in Spokane.
Tom Bellamy
Tom Bellamy is Professor of Education at the University of Washington Bothell. His 50 years of experience in education include work as a special education teacher, university faculty member, research center director, federal program executive, and university administrator.
His early research on employment of individuals with intellectual disabilities helped to initiate the national supported employment program. As director of the U. S. Office of Special Education programs, he oversaw implementation of the transition and early intervention programs. After leaving the federal government, Tom served for a decade as Dean of the School of Education at the University of Colorado at Denver and later as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at two other universities. As Dean, Tom became known for the system of partnerships that connected CU-Denver’s educator preparation programs with urban schools. As Vice Chancellor, he led the academic expansion of UW Bothell to include lower division students. After returning to the faculty, Tom developed educational leadership programs for principal preparation and preparation of local special education administrators. His recent scholarly work focuses on school leadership and change and has resulted in two books and several articles on the principalship.
Franklin Day
Franklin has served on the executive boards for the Nevada Association of School Psychologists, the Southern Nevada Association for the Education of Young Children, Washington-Council of Administrators of Special Education and the Woodland Montessori School Board of Directors. Franklin has worked in mental health hospitals, birth to three early intervention programs, public and private preschool, public and charter k-12 schools and in higher education systems, and as an ABA therapist. Franklin has responsibility for special education, section 504, English Language Learners and nursing services. Franklin has experience with program development, community engagement, local and national advocacy and collaborative teams and structures.
Stephanie King
Stephanie King, PhD., is a licensed psychologist, educator, and educational leader. Dr. King is currently working for University of Washington Bothell on the AIMS and ECSEL projects, and is the owner of Northwest Educational Psychology. Dr. King previously worked in Marysville School District as Executive Director of Student Services, Issaquah School District as a Special Services Director, and in Seattle Public Schools supporting implementation of behavioral supports across tiered systems of supports. Dr. King was clinical faculty in the University of Washington School Psychology Program and supported a MTSS field study, as well as supervision of School-based Mental Health. Dr. King is passionate about creating equitable and inclusive systems of support for all students. When not working or teaching, Dr. King enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and dogs.
Laura Matson
Laura Matson currently works at Puget Sound ESD as a Special Services Director, where she and her team provide leadership and technical support for special education services and staff in King and Pierce County. Laura began her career as a special education teacher in 1981 and over her career has also been a behavior specialist, program specialist, and district special education administrator.
Laura has extensive experience supporting students with significant behavior challenges, as well as post-secondary transition services. In her current role at Puget Sound ESD, she also utilizes her knowledge of special education compliance regulations, combined with best practice to provide technical support regarding the design and delivery of special education services. Additionally, Laura provides professional development on a wide variety of topics related to special education including co-teaching, functional behavior assessment, specially-designed instruction, progress monitoring, alternatives to exclusionary discipline, school-wide positive behavior support, post-secondary transition planning, and IEP development.
Laura is an active member of Council for Exceptional Children, and has been an officer for both Washington State Council for Children with Behavior Disorders and Washington Council for Administrators of Special Education.combined with best practice to provide technical support regarding the design and delivery of special education services. Additionally, Laura provides professional development on a wide variety of topics related to special education including co-teaching, functional behavior assessment, specially-designed instruction, progress monitoring, alternatives to exclusionary discipline, school-wide positive behavior support, post-secondary transition planning, and IEP development. Laura is an active member of Council for Exceptional Children, and has been an officer for both Washington State Council for Children with Behavior Disorders and Washington Council for Administrators of Special Education.
Nancy Meeks
Nancy Meeks retired after thirteen years as the Executive Director of Student Services for the Snoqualmie Valley School District. She began her career as a Speech and Language Pathologist for the Auburn School District. Nancy moved to the Highline School District where she worked for twenty-four years. During that time, she entered administration, served as a program administrator, coordinator and, ultimately, as the Co-Director of Special Services for her last six years in the district.
Nancy has dedicated all of her career to Washington special education students in the public-school system. In her years as an administrator, she has had responsibility for special education, 504, English Language Learners, Title I, Learning Assistance Program, district behavioral supports, and nursing services. Currently, Nancy is working with the Washington Association of School Administrators as a Project Lead for their Inclusionary Practices Project.
