Alfred (AJ) Kise
Bethlehem
Summary
Highly motivated and accomplished special education leader with over a decade of progressive experience in public education. Recognized for a strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently, master new skills quickly, and thrive in dynamic environments. Demonstrated expertise in program development, compliance, staff supervision, and budget management, with statewide and national impact as former President of PaCASE, and a federal advocate for special education legislation. Honored with the 2025 Arc One Step Forward Award, and the 2024 CIU20 Excellence in Education Award. A student-centered, equity-driven professional committed to collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and building inclusive, sustainable systems that support all learners.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Special & Alternative Education
Nazareth Area School District
Nazareth
05.2020 - Current
- Developed and implemented program goals and objectives for special education, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Managed a $4.2 million special education budget, strategically aligning resources with student needs and district priorities.
- Provided leadership and oversight for departmental staff, including 1 Supervisor of Special Education, 1 Administrative Assistant, 1 Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), 46 Special Education Teachers, and 82 Paraprofessionals.
- Designed, developed, and oversaw specialized district programs, including Life Skills, Emotional Support, and Autistic Support, to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities.
- Applied current research and evidence-based practices to guide the identification, assessment, and service delivery for students with exceptional needs.
- Represented the district in legal proceedings, such as IEP meetings, manifestation determination hearings, mediations, and due process hearings.
- Facilitated and managed the Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth (AEDY) program in alignment with state regulations and student success goals.
- Served as the primary liaison between the district and the Intermediate Unit, coordinating services, and ensuring collaborative support.
- Led family engagement efforts specific to special education, building trust, and fostering productive relationships with parents and guardians.
- Maintained ongoing relationships with governmental agencies and community partners, and monitored legislative updates affecting special education.
- Completed state and federal reporting requirements with accuracy and timeliness.
- Participated in the development and revision of district special education policies and procedures.
- Conducted regular evaluations of programs and practices, recommending and implementing improvements in curriculum, instruction, and operations.
- Collaborated with building administrators to effectively assign and schedule special education staff based on student and program needs.
- Created and facilitated targeted professional development opportunities for special education staff and district-wide personnel.
- Contributed to the recruitment, hiring, and evaluation of special education personnel.
- Maintained strict confidentiality in all student, staff, and program-related matters.
- Oversaw contracted services, ensuring high-quality delivery, and cost-effective practices.
- Led cross-functional teams within the district in the development of innovative solutions to complex problems.
- Prepared presentations for board meetings, summarizing key developments within the special education department.
- Partnered with team members on the development and presentation of professional development.
Director of Student Services
Pleasant Valley School District
Brodheadsville
09.2018 - 05.2020
- Serve as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet, contributing to executive-level decision-making, and district-wide strategic planning.
- Provide leadership and guidance to professional and support staff to ensure all students experience an accessible, engaging, rigorous, and relevant academic program.
- Lead the planning, coordination, and evaluation of the District’s Pupil Services Department, including: Attendance Services, School Counselors, School Social Worker, School Health Services, School Psychologists, Educational Diagnostics, and Student Registration.
- Ensure the provision of Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with disabilities (ages 3–21) and students receiving gifted education, in full compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
- Oversee and support the Special Education Management Team, and the full complement of professional and support staff across Special Education services.
- Supervise and coordinate the following district roles and programs: Chapter 15 / Section 504 Coordinator, School Counselors, School Nurses, Child Accounting and Student Registration / PIMS Coordinator, ACCESS Coordinator, Gifted Education, and Special Education.
- Act as District representative for: Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth (AEDY), Safe2Say Something program (District Lead), Trauma Response Team (District Leader), and Comprehensive School Threat Assessment (District Leader).
- Provide programmatic and supervisory support to administration, staff, and families to promote student well-being and success.
- Prepared presentations for board meetings, summarizing key developments within the special education department.
- Partnered with team members on the development and presentation of professional development.
Supervisor of Special Education
Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21
Schnecksville
01.2017 - 08.2018
- Supervise special education teachers and professional staff, ensuring high-quality instructional programs and support services.
- Lead the development, planning, and continuous improvement of special education programs aligned with student needs and compliance standards.
- Conduct staff performance evaluations, participate in hiring and interviewing processes, and manage records and data systems.
- Participate in multidisciplinary educational team meetings, including IEP team meetings, to support collaborative, student-centered planning.
- Guide and support the implementation of effective data collection systems; assist instructional teams in analyzing data to inform decisions, and improve instructional practices.
- Provide training and coaching to special education staff on IEP development, review, and revision, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and best practices.
- Supplement instructional resources with research-based interventions and materials that support academic progress and positive behavioral outcomes.
- Deliver professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based instructional strategies, and implementing positive behavior support systems.
- Liaison between Intermediate Unit and School Districts.
Director of Special Programs
Lehigh Valley Charter High School For The Arts
Bethlehem
10.2014 - 12.2016
- Manage and oversee the Department of Student Services, including child accounting, guidance, English language acquisition programs, state and federal projects, and special education services.
- Supervise and ensure compliance with Chapter 14 (Special Education), Chapter 15/Section 504 Service Plans, and applicable federal and state education laws and regulations.
- Serve as the Local Education Agency (LEA) representative for all students enrolled in special education programs.
- Coordinate and implement the Special Education Identification Process per IDEA, and complete and submit Penn Data reports as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
- Evaluate and provide recommendations for special education curricula, instructional practices, and service delivery models.
- Facilitate and monitor the school district's Medical ACCESS Program, and supervise related service providers.
- Supervise professional and support staff; assist in performance evaluations and participate in recruitment and hiring of student services personnel.
- Collaborate with the Director of Guidance, and lead meetings with department representatives to assess, refine, and recommend improvements to programs and procedures.
- Facilitate and implement professional development opportunities for staff in areas related to special education, 504 Plans, instructional strategies, executive functioning, and behavior management.
- Oversee the development and maintenance of the child accounting system, and coordinate the preparation of budgets related to student services.
- Supervise school health services, and provide administrative oversight of after-school programs and activities.
- Coordinate and implement the school’s Emergency Management Plan, including: training for staff and emergency responders, coordination of the Emergency Response Team, routine inspections of facilities and emergency equipment, and facilitation of periodic safety drills.
- Lead the School Crisis Trauma Team, and serve as the district liaison for mental health in partnership with St. Luke's Hospital.
- Coordinate and facilitate district programs, including Family Engagement, No Place for Hate/Bullying Prevention, Freshman Academy, and Concussion Management Team (CMT).
- Serve as a liaison to school solicitors on matters of legal compliance and advisement.
- Communicate effectively with administrative staff, teachers, students, parents, and community members.
- Stay current and compliant with the Pennsylvania School Code, federal and state laws, the Child Protective Services Act, board policies, and administrative procedures.
- Attend board meetings and after-school activities, as assigned by the Principal.
Educational Consultant
Bethlehem Area School District
Bethlehem
09.2008 - 09.2014
- Serve as case manager for district special education students placed in out-of-district placements, ensuring continuity of services, and legal compliance.
- Oversee the intake and placement process for all special education transfer students, from initial registration through final program placement.
- Act as the LEA representative for BASD students enrolled in Intermediate Unit (IU) programs and Approved Private Schools (APS).
- Provide consultation, resources, and support to general and special education staff to ensure effective instructional practices, and appropriate accommodations.
- Participate in IEP and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, and assist in resolving complex student programming issues at the request of administration or staff.
- Attend interagency meetings involving psychiatric referrals, provider 50 services, and partial hospitalization placements, ensuring collaboration with outside agencies.
- Draft IEPs and other special education documents as needed; observe students, and provide recommendations to support developmentally appropriate and individualized educational programs.
- Facilitate and coordinate professional development training for staff on a variety of special education topics, including specially designed instruction, and compliance requirements.
- Coordinate training and materials related to the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA); serve as a district trainer-of-trainers for the Pennsylvania Standards Aligned System (SAS).
- Review and finalize IEPs, GIEPs, NOREPs, and NORAs to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, and legal defensibility.
- Troubleshoot and resolve PIMS and Penn Data errors related to student data and reporting.
- Contribute to the development of the district’s Special Education Plan, and support documentation required for Cyclical Monitoring.
- Assist with file reviews and the development of Corrective Action Plans, when necessary, to maintain compliance with state audits and monitoring protocols.
- Collaborate with district leadership and building-level staff to ensure effective delivery of special education services, and fidelity of specially designed instruction.
- Organized professional development workshops for educators on topics such as differentiated instruction, co-teaching, legally defensible IEPs, classroom management, and assessment techniques.
Special Education Teacher (Emotional Support)
East Stroudsburg Area School District
East Stroudsburg
12.2006 - 09.2008
- Design and implement differentiated lesson plans tailored to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students with emotional and behavioral challenges.
- Develop and manage Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in compliance with federal and state regulations, and align goals with student strengths, needs, and data.
- Create and implement Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) plans to promote appropriate behavior, increase student engagement, and reduce disruptions.
- Conduct ongoing assessments, and maintain weekly progress monitoring data; analyze and graph outcomes to inform instruction and behavioral interventions.
- Collaborate with general education and inclusion teachers to modify and adapt classroom instruction, ensuring access to the general education curriculum for students with IEPs.
- Partner with families to develop and implement IEPs, promoting shared decision-making, and consistent support between school and home.
- Adapted curriculum materials as needed to meet individualized student needs.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress towards IEP goals.
- Facilitated small group instruction tailored for individual student needs.
- Participated in professional development activities related to teaching strategies for special education students.
- Provided instruction in academic, communication, and social skills to special education students.
- Organized field trips or community experiences to enhance learning opportunities for special education students.
- Communicated regularly with parents regarding their child's progress.
- Collaborated with general education teachers to include students in classroom activities.
Education
Master of Science - Secondary Curriculum With A Concentration in Admin
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, PA05-2010
Bachelor of Science - Integrated Special Education And Elementary Ed.
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, PA12-2006
Skills
- Student-centered program development
- Creative and innovative visionary leadership and strategic communication
- Compliance, monitoring, and accountability
- Systems-level thinking and integration
- Culture building and staff empowerment
- Family and community engagement
- Operational expertise and supervision
- Legal and mediation experience
- Collaboration and relationship building
- Data-driven decision-making
- Professional development
- Budget management
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director of Special & Alternative Education
Nazareth Area School District
05.2020 - Current
Director of Student Services
Pleasant Valley School District
09.2018 - 05.2020
Supervisor of Special Education
Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21
01.2017 - 08.2018
Director of Special Programs
Lehigh Valley Charter High School For The Arts
10.2014 - 12.2016
Educational Consultant
Bethlehem Area School District
09.2008 - 09.2014
Special Education Teacher (Emotional Support)
East Stroudsburg Area School District
12.2006 - 09.2008
Master of Science - Secondary Curriculum With A Concentration in Admin
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science - Integrated Special Education And Elementary Ed.
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
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