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SPARC Center @SPARC_Center

The SPARC Center at @AIRInforms conducts research & leads systemic change to strengthen the special educator workforce.

Joined October 2024
  • Tweets 139
  • Following 92
  • Followers 116
48 Photos and videos
How do school leaders support special educators, and how do special educators grow into leadership roles? During our webinar last week, presenters shared insights from three states that dive into these questions. Here are a few key takeaways:
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đź’ˇAbby Foley shared how administrators can use resources from the Lead IDEA Center to support special education teachers and their students: lead-idea.org/

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Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important discussion! Sign up for our email newsletter on our website to learn of our future webinars: sparccenter.org/
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SPARC Center@SPARC_Center
May 14
Our webinar next week will explore the results of three studies of school leaders’ prior experience in #SpecialEducation, and what the results mean for supporting special educators. 📅 May 18 at 2pm ET 🔗 Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/r…
Graphic promoting an upcoming webinar titled “Leading Beyond the Classroom: Pathways from Special Educator to School Leader,” scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers listed are Abby Foley (Lead IDEA Center Director), Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), LaRon Scott (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), and Jinseok Shin (University of Texas–Austin Research Fellow). The SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, appear at the bottom.

ALT Graphic promoting an upcoming webinar titled “Leading Beyond the Classroom: Pathways from Special Educator to School Leader,” scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers listed are Abby Foley (Lead IDEA Center Director), Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), LaRon Scott (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), and Jinseok Shin (University of Texas–Austin Research Fellow). The SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, appear at the bottom.

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SPARC Center@SPARC_Center
May 7
💡School leaders play a key role in supporting special educators, but how many of them have #SpecialEducation experience? We will explore what the research reveals in our next webinar with Abby Foley, @RoddyTheobald, @Dr_LaRon_Scott, and Jinseok Shin: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/r…
Graphic promoting an upcoming webinar titled “Leading Beyond the Classroom: Pathways from Special Educator to School Leader,” scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers listed are Abby Foley (Lead IDEA Center Director), Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), LaRon Scott (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), and Jinseok Shin (University of Texas–Austin Research Fellow). The SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, appear at the bottom.

ALT Graphic promoting an upcoming webinar titled “Leading Beyond the Classroom: Pathways from Special Educator to School Leader,” scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers listed are Abby Foley (Lead IDEA Center Director), Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), LaRon Scott (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), and Jinseok Shin (University of Texas–Austin Research Fellow). The SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, appear at the bottom.

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SPARC Center@SPARC_Center
Apr 30
How often do special educators become school leaders? During our upcoming webinar, experts Abby Foley, @RoddyTheobald, @Dr_LaRon_Scott, and Jinseok Shin will discuss our findings. Register to attend: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/r…
Graphic promoting an upcoming webinar titled “Leading Beyond the Classroom: Pathways from Special Educator to School Leader,” scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers listed are Abby Foley (Lead IDEA Center Director), Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), LaRon Scott (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), and Jinseok Shin (University of Texas–Austin Research Fellow). The SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, appear at the bottom.

ALT Graphic promoting an upcoming webinar titled “Leading Beyond the Classroom: Pathways from Special Educator to School Leader,” scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers listed are Abby Foley (Lead IDEA Center Director), Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), LaRon Scott (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), and Jinseok Shin (University of Texas–Austin Research Fellow). The SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, appear at the bottom.

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SPARC Center@SPARC_Center
Apr 28
📢 Applications for the SPARC Scholars Program close soon! We look forward to collaborating with a new cohort of early-career researchers to conduct rigorous, policy-relevant research. Apply by May 1: sparccenter.org/sparc-center…
Promotional graphic with a header of “Scholars Program” and subtext of “Apply for SPARC Center Scholars Program by May 1, 2026”. The SPARC Center logo is featured in the graphic’s bottom left corner and it includes the website sparccenter.org

ALT Promotional graphic with a header of “Scholars Program” and subtext of “Apply for SPARC Center Scholars Program by May 1, 2026”. The SPARC Center logo is featured in the graphic’s bottom left corner and it includes the website sparccenter.org
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SPARC Center@SPARC_Center
Apr 23
In our upcoming webinar, we'll explore three studies with implications for how school leaders create school leadership pathways for #SpecialEducation teachers. Speakers include Abby Foley, @RoddyTheobald, @Dr_LaRon_Scott, and Jinseok Shin. Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/r…
Graphic promoting an upcoming webinar titled “Leading Beyond the Classroom: Pathways from Special Educator to School Leader,” scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers listed are Abby Foley (Lead IDEA Center Director), Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), LaRon Scott (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), and Jinseok Shin (University of Texas–Austin Research Fellow). The SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, appear at the bottom.

ALT Graphic promoting an upcoming webinar titled “Leading Beyond the Classroom: Pathways from Special Educator to School Leader,” scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers listed are Abby Foley (Lead IDEA Center Director), Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), LaRon Scott (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), and Jinseok Shin (University of Texas–Austin Research Fellow). The SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, appear at the bottom.

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SPARC Center@SPARC_Center
Apr 21
Join us for an upcoming webinar discussing recent findings about #SpecialEducation teachers moving into leadership positions in VA, WA, & TX. Speakers include @Dr_LaRon_Scott, Abby Foley, @RoddyTheobald, and Jinseok Shin. 🗓️May 18th, 2 PM ET 🔗Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/r…
Graphic promoting an upcoming webinar titled “Leading Beyond the Classroom: Pathways from Special Educator to Administrator,” scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers listed are Abby Foley (Lead IDEA Center Director), Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), LaRon Scott (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), and Jinseok Shin (University of Texas–Austin, to be determined). The SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, appear at the bottom.

ALT Graphic promoting an upcoming webinar titled “Leading Beyond the Classroom: Pathways from Special Educator to Administrator,” scheduled for May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The speakers listed are Abby Foley (Lead IDEA Center Director), Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), LaRon Scott (SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator), and Jinseok Shin (University of Texas–Austin, to be determined). The SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, appear at the bottom.
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SPARC Center@SPARC_Center
Apr 9
Applications for the SPARC Scholars Program are due on May 1st. To learn more about this opportunity, join @Lmasonwms for an upcoming Q&A session. 📅Wednesday, April 15th ⏰ 4:00 pm EST 🔗Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/r…
Graphic promoting the SPARC Center Scholars Program FAQ Session. Text reads “SPARC Center Scholars Program FAQ Session,” “April 15 at 4pm ET,” and “Virtual.” Additional text invites participants to ask questions live and learn about the program’s mission, benefits, eligibility requirements, and application process. The graphic lists Loretta Mason‑Williams, SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator, and includes the SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, at the bottom.

ALT Graphic promoting the SPARC Center Scholars Program FAQ Session. Text reads “SPARC Center Scholars Program FAQ Session,” “April 15 at 4pm ET,” and “Virtual.” Additional text invites participants to ask questions live and learn about the program’s mission, benefits, eligibility requirements, and application process. The graphic lists Loretta Mason‑Williams, SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator, and includes the SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, at the bottom.

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SPARC Center@SPARC_Center
Apr 2
Are you interested in applying for the SPARC Center Scholars Program but have questions or want to learn more? Attend our Q&A Session on April 15 at 4pm ET hosted by @Lmasonwms. 🔗Register now: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/r…
Graphic promoting the SPARC Center Scholars Program FAQ Session. Text reads “SPARC Center Scholars Program FAQ Session,” “April 15 at 4pm ET,” and “Virtual.” Additional text invites participants to ask questions live and learn about the program’s mission, benefits, eligibility requirements, and application process. The graphic lists Loretta Mason‑Williams, SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator, and includes the SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, at the bottom.

ALT Graphic promoting the SPARC Center Scholars Program FAQ Session. Text reads “SPARC Center Scholars Program FAQ Session,” “April 15 at 4pm ET,” and “Virtual.” Additional text invites participants to ask questions live and learn about the program’s mission, benefits, eligibility requirements, and application process. The graphic lists Loretta Mason‑Williams, SPARC Center Co‑Principal Investigator, and includes the SPARC Center logo and website, sparccenter.org, at the bottom.

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SPARC Center@SPARC_Center
Mar 31
The SPARC Center Scholars Program is a unique opportunity for early career researchers interested in the #SpecialEducation workforce. @Lmasonwms shares more in this video. Apply by 5/1: sparccenter.org/sparc-center…
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SPARC Center@SPARC_Center
Mar 25
💡We’ve been busy! This month, our experts presented at the conferences of @CECMembership & @aefpweb. It's always valuable to share findings, learn from others, and bring back feedback that strengthens our work.
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At #AEFP2026 & interested in #SpecialEducation research? Join SPARC Center experts Elizabeth Bettini, Allison Gilmour, @Lmasonwms & @RoddyTheobald for a conversation group tomorrow at 4:30 pm in the Zurich D Ballroom!
Graphic promoting the AEFP 2026 Conversation Group titled “Building and Sustaining a Strong Special Education Workforce Through Policy‑Relevant Research.” Event details read “March 20 at 4:30pm CT | Zurich D Ballroom,” with four speaker headshots labeled Elizabeth Bettini (SPARC Center, Co‑Director), Allison Gilmour (SPARC Center, Co‑Director), Loretta Mason‑Williams (SPARC Center, Co‑Principal Investigator), and Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center, Director). SPARC logo and sparccenter.org appear at the bottom.

ALT Graphic promoting the AEFP 2026 Conversation Group titled “Building and Sustaining a Strong Special Education Workforce Through Policy‑Relevant Research.” Event details read “March 20 at 4:30pm CT | Zurich D Ballroom,” with four speaker headshots labeled Elizabeth Bettini (SPARC Center, Co‑Director), Allison Gilmour (SPARC Center, Co‑Director), Loretta Mason‑Williams (SPARC Center, Co‑Principal Investigator), and Roddy Theobald (SPARC Center, Director). SPARC logo and sparccenter.org appear at the bottom.

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This session is also an opportunity to learn more about our new SPARC Scholars Program. Learn more and apply by May 1: sparccenter.org/sparc-center…
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SPARC Center experts are presenting at #AEFP2026 this week! Sessions are in the thread below, with đź’Ąindicating sessions related to #SpecialEducation:
Graphic announcing an upcoming conference: “Association for Education Finance & Policy (AEFP) 51st Annual Conference, March 19-21 in Chicago” displayed over a cityscape background. SPARC logo and sparccenter.org appear at the bottom.

ALT Graphic announcing an upcoming conference: “Association for Education Finance & Policy (AEFP) 51st Annual Conference, March 19-21 in Chicago” displayed over a cityscape background. SPARC logo and sparccenter.org appear at the bottom.

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📅 March 21 | 8:15–9:45 am 📍 Vevey 2 💡 Working Conditions, Supports, & Teacher Wellbeing with Elizabeth Bettini💥
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📅 March 21 | 11:45 am–1:15 pm 📍 Vevey 2 💡 Teacher Incentives with @RoddyTheobald
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