Alison Dillon

Alison Spencer is a dedicated and passionate special education teacher who has extensive experience working with students with a variety of disabilities and unique needs. She holds a master's degree in special education and teaching from Seattle University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from the University of Montana. Additionally, she studied abroad at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

Alison has worked as a special education teacher at Seattle Public Schools for several years, providing mentorship and training to general education teachers while working in a consultative role for educators in the Greater Seattle area. She has experience working with students with autism spectrum disorder, emotional and behavioral disorder, Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, significant sensory needs, muscular dystrophy, learning disabilities, and other health impairments.

As a former extended school year site supervisor/certificated teacher at Seattle Public Schools, Alison has led in-house trainings on data-collection techniques, classroom management, teaching within an inclusion model, and IEP compliance and law. She has also worked as an occupational therapy assistant, respite care provider, inclusion specialist/unit director at YMCA Camp Orkila, and special education instructional assistant at Walla Walla Public Schools.

Alison maintains high expectations for her students and celebrates the "baby steps" that often accompany special education. Her classroom is a fun, energetic, and emotionally-intelligent setting where both academics and social/behavioral skills are practiced and strengthened daily. She honors and embraces every child's unique needs and areas of struggle while providing a challenging, creative, and fun learning environment.

In summary, Alison Spencer is an experienced special education teacher who is passionate about advocating for all students' academic, social/emotional, and behavioral growth. With her extensive knowledge and expertise in the field, she is an asset to any school or organization she works with.