Sandy Strand has been on the SpEd Forms Leadership Committee since 2008. She serves as a voice representing charter schools.

Education
Sandy’s educational experience includes completing coursework for her Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science degree and teacher licensure from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and Evaluation. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Communication Disorders and Theatre Arts, Performance.

Work Experience
Sandy began her career as a Vocational Evaluator in the Twin Cities area where she developed the evaluation program–including performing transition evaluations and mobile evaluations throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin–for Rehabilitation Services and Qualified Rehabilitation Counselors in workers compensation cases. From there, she began teaching in the area of Developmental and Cognitive Disabilities and Autism, as well as working with students with neurological and biological disabilities. Sandy served as a DCD Coordinator, district leader, and a Charter School Consultant in the area of DCD and Autism before becoming a Director of Special Education at Innovative Special Education Services of Minnesota. Sandy has also worked with charter schools throughout the state on special education programming, compliance, financial issues, and dispute resolution.

Professionally, Sandy lends her leadership skills to both the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA), and the Minnesota Administrators of Special Education (MASE). She serves on the legislative committee for MASE, and served a term on the legislative pensions committee for MASA.

Personal Note
Outside of her work, Sandy is married and the mother of two wonderful children. She spends her free time reading mystery novels and cooking, and enjoys being outside snow shoeing, hiking, jogging, and spending time at the family cabin. When time allows, Sandy is found at the Woodbury Community Theatre. She always has a song in her heart!