Heather Raithel

I have over 20 years of experience in special education. I have taught both general education and special education, including English learners, in a variety of locales including Texas, Montana, Thailand, Hawaii, Utah and Arizona. I completed my masters at Utah State University with a focus on secondary transition for students with disabilities and completed a doctorate at ASU in Leadership and Innovation focused on special education compliance at the state level. Along with my teaching experience, I have served as a transition coordinator, compliance coordinator, and special education director. I have also held multiple positions within Program Support and Monitoring at the Arizona Department of Education including as a Lead Specialist, State Systemic Improvement Plan Coordinator and Secure Care Specialist. I am an active member of the Council of Exceptional Children and am involved in my local elementary school district. 

My husband is an ecologist and is a professor at Estrella Mountain Community College and serves as an adjunct professor at ASU. I have two kids, Bodhi (age 11) and Sage (age 9), and enjoy scuba diving, hiking, travel, and playing board games with my family.