Kimberly Salomonson

Overview

Kimberly Salomonson is an established Senior Project Director with the Special Education Policy and Practice team. Salomonson leads the design and integration of projects focused on the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), inclusive education, and special education system reviews. With over 20 years of experience supporting educational leaders, Salomonson brings a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to building cohesive and effective educational environments that positively impact communities.

Salomonson’s largest role is directing a project team dedicated to providing technical assistance and professional development for LEAs cultivating equitable learning opportunities in schools. The team is responsible for providing technical assistance and professional development through a systemic improvement approach that utilizes a special education system review and action plan to design and implement a tiered system of support, including a critical first tier foundation rooted in inclusive learning environments and effective instructional practices. This integrated model has been adopted by numerous schools and districts, leading to measurable improvements in student performance, attendance, behavior, and engagement.

Prior to joining WestEd, Salomonson served in various roles within the state of California, including school psychologist, curriculum support professional, program manager, director of special education, adjunct professor, and most recently, a Governor’s appointee for the Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE), where she provided recommendations on research, program development, and evaluation in California special education. Salomonson is dedicated to closing the achievement gap for historically underserved students through empowering educational systems to ensure that every student has access to high-quality education and improved outcomes.

Education

• AS Credential, Chancellors Fellowship, California State University, Fresno
• PPS Credential, specialization in school psychology, Fresno Pacific University   
• MA in education, distinction in school psychology, Fresno Pacific University
• BA in psychology, California State University, Fresno
  

Honors, Awards, and Affiliations

Invited presenter, Supporting Inclusive Practices, California Department of Education: Intervention, Implementation and Master Scheduling (2017)

Invited presenter, One System Action Team (OSAT): Laying the Foundation (2016)

Invited presenter, Inclusion Collaborative: Intervention Implementation and Master Scheduling (2016)

Invited presenter, Inclusion Collaborative State Conference: Sanger Unified, A Journey to MTSS (2015)

Invited presenter: Association of California School Administrators Conference: Sanger Unified… A Journey (2015)

Recent Media Appearances

• Inside California Education: Kids Are Just Kids in Sanger, KVIE Public Television, May 5, 2017