Heather Raithel

Dr. Raithel has over 20 years of experience in education having taught both general education and special education, including English learners, in a variety of locales including Texas, Montana, Thailand, Hawaii, Utah, and Arizona. She completed her master's degree 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 her teaching experience, she has served as a transition coordinator, compliance coordinator, and special education director. She has 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. Dr. Raithel is an active member of the Council of Exceptional Children and is passionate about advocating for public education and the inclusion of students with disabilities. She is a member of the governing board of the Avondale Elementary School District. She is also an active member of the Arizona Coalition for Educator Preparation and Practice (ACEPP) through The CEEDAR (Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform) Center. 

Dr. Raithel teaches courses in elementary and special education and supports student teachers seeking dual certification. She leads and participates in research within the Project OASIS (Optimizing Access for Students in Schools) Learning Futures Collaborative at ASU. Her research interests include transition to adulthood, inclusive practices, and educational policy.