Ms. K. Williamson assists families in navigating the special education process at all stages, from brainstorming solutions to initial concerns, initiating & participating in the eligibility process for possible need of special education services (&/or Section 504 Accommodation Plans, which fall under the auspices of regular education,) to assisting families already involved in special education to address concerns, participating in Team Meetings, mediations, & hearings to planning a student’s transition past high school or college.
Passionate & knowledgeable about special education law & regulations, Ms. K. Williamson also reviews all proposed paperwork (e.g. IEPs,) & helps to ensure compliance with federal & state laws & regulations. She enjoys maintaining lasting relationships with her students & their families, as well as the districts with whom she collaborates. Ms. K. Williamson’s firm belief in the Team process benefits her students & has resulted in only positive outcomes over her decades in the field.
Additionally, Ms. K. Williamson conducts formal observations, independent educational evaluations (requested by families &/or school districts,) provides professional development & consultation to districts on best special education methodology &/or compliance, collaborates regularly with all professionals involved with a student (private & school staff,) & has served as an expert witness in court.
Another service which Ms. K.Williamson provides is individualized consultation and mentoring for educators seeking to refine &/or develop pedagogical methodologies. She also assists teachers in any areas of need regarding special education services, processes, &//or laws & regulations.
Ms. K.Williamson also serves on a panel for the Department of Children & Family Services (DCF) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to make determinations regarding parents’ capacity to regain custody of their children who have been removed from their care due to neglect &/or abuse.
A natural collaborator & lifelong learner, Ms. K.Williamson has enjoyed membership within a group of other educational consultants, advocates, & attorneys for the past nine years. The group meets monthly to discuss complex cases. Ms. K. Williamson, the most junior member, was especially privileged to be selected 5 years ago to co-direct the group.
Ms. K.Williamson’s most recent undertaking has been mentoring novice special education consultants & advocates.
It is the combination of Ms. K.Williamson’s experience & character which make her especially rare as a special education consultant: She is a seasoned regular & special education teacher, also as experienced special education administrator, an out-of-district coordinator, interim principal & interim assistant principal, & is a parent of a child with special needs. As such, Ms. K. Williamson understands perspectives of each role, She always demonstrates genuine respect & appreciation for all involved, with the students’ needs & rights as top priorities.
BACKGROUND: bMs. K.Williamson earned her B.A.(majors: Secondary Ed.& Foreign Languages,minor: Psychology,) from the University of Hartford (magna cum laude.)
Also as an undergraduate, she also earned a Certificat de la langue française from the Université de Sorbonne in Paris.
Ms.K.Williamson then continued at the University of Hartford, where she earned her Master's degree in Education with a concentration in special education. (4.0/4.0 GPA.)
After several years of teaching special education, she was nominated by the Superintendent to represent the Newton Public Schools in a program for future educational leaders at Boston University. There, Ms. K. Williamson earned her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies In Educational Administration & Leadership. (4.0/4.0 GPA)
Initially, Ms. K. Williamson taught high school French, Spanish, & special education in NH.
Upon her return to MA, she continued teaching special education & specialized reading) to middle & high schoolers. Over the years, she has taught students with emotional, behavioral, executive function, learning, communication, & neurological disorders, as well as on the autism spectrum.
Ms. K. Williamson co-piloted Newton’s first co-taught, integrated program. She also co-developed many other initiatives. After teaching in the integrated program for several years, she hoped to broaden her impact by becoming an administrator.
Working in a variety of administrative capacities, her most frequent role was that of special education administrator, combined with out-of-district coordinator (while often simultaneously assuming role of assistant principal, co-principal, &/or interim principal)— responsible for up to 3 schools. She has worked within prek through college, in public & private schools, & in affluent communities & those with limited resources.
Always invigorated by challenges & fiercely driven, Ms. K.Williamson was most often hired to improve compliance with federal state laws, as well as increase levels of academic rigor & expectation for all members of school communities, a challenge which she embraced with utmost dedication.
Ms. Katz Williamson is available throughout New England (& occasionally remotely across the country.) She is currently welcoming new referrals & can be reached at emilykatzwilliamson@gmail.com .
Licensure: All pre-12, MA, CT, NH
Special Education Administrator
School Principal
School Assistant Principal
School Director
Teaching special education (mild to severe)
Additional Certifications:
Wilson Reading (Levels I & II) Reading Intervention Program
Lindamood-Bell Reading Intervention Program
Project Read Reading Intervention Program
Trainer, New Teacher & New Administrator Mentor
Certified Coach for the Educationally-Based Critical Friends Problem Solving Intervention Program
Trainer, Crisis Prevention Intervention Program
Trainer, ALICE Active Shooter Prevention Program
“Ms. K. Williamson’s proactive, dedicated, reflective, collaborative, & compassionate approach with families & schools, in concert with her varied experience ensures the best possible educational opportunities are provided for each student. We are eternally grateful to her for dedication & the marvelous results for both of our children.” -Former Client
