Gary Woodward serves as the Low Incidence Facilitator for Region 10 within Minnesota. He advises SpEd Forms staff on the development of Response to Invention (RTI) tools, and has had a career-long interest in RTI triggered by his work and personal experiences.

Education
Gary Woodward’s educational experience includes completing coursework and a practicum in Educational Administration Elementary Principal through Winona and Mankato State Universities. In addition, he holds a Master of Science in Education, School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Gary earned licenses in Supervision in Special Education, School Psychologist (MN and WI), and as a Licensed Psychologist.

Professional Experience
Before retiring in 2009, Gary was the Executive Director of the Hiawatha Valley Education District, the leading educational service provider for southeastern Minnesota. Previously, Gary served as the Assistant Director and then Director of the Hiawatha Valley Special Education Cooperative from 1983 to 1988.

Gary has served on a Minnesota legislative state advisory committee to help implement Response to Intervention (RTI) policies and procedures. Additionally, Gary has consulted with the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning, the Minnesota State Department of Education, and various District Special Education Departments.

Gary has been an active member of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, served as a representative for the Minnesota Association of Special Education, and is the past president of the Minnesota Education District Network. In 2009, Gary received a state-wide award for Outstanding Service from the Minnesota Association of Children’s Mental Health.

Personal Notes
Gary and his wife Becky are the proud grandparents to two grandsons, and are anxiously the awaiting the arrival of another grandbaby in January 2011. He enjoys golfing in his spare time, as well as configuring computer hardware.