Todd Travis Receives MASE Special Education Administrator of the Year Award
March 8, 2024
The Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) has named Todd Travis, Director of Special Education of the Midwest Special Education Cooperative (MSEC), the 2024 Special Education Administrator of the Year. Travis has received this award for his dedication to students with disabilities and their families, and his active involvement in professional and community affairs. He will be honored at a statewide recognition ceremony during the MASA/MASE Spring Conference held on March 15-16, 2024.
"Todd has made a lasting impact on a number of individuals within MASE. His willingness to share insights and support fellow directors underscores a collaborative and nurturing approach, contributing to a professional growth and development culture," wrote Doug Hazen, Executive Director of River Bend Education District, in his nomination letter. "MASE is fortunate to have someone in our organization like Todd, and he is absolutely deserving of this recognition."
Travis has spent over 30 years in the field of special education and 25 of those years as a special education administrator. He has served as the Director of Special Education at MSEC since 2005. He previously served MSEC as the Assistant Director of Special Education and Due Process Facilitator. Travis began his career in special education as an Emotional and Behavior Disorders (EBD) and Moderate Mental Impairment (MMMI) Teacher at Morris Area High School, Alternative School, and Elementary School.
As an exceptional special education director at MSEC, Travis has made a significant impact as a leader and mentor in Minnesota. With extensive expertise in special education finance, law, and regulations, he ensures quality programming for students with disabilities in the eight independent school districts served by MSEC. Travis’ expertise in the field has earned him the trust and respect of his colleagues, and his commitment to the advancement of special education has extended well beyond his role as a director.
As an active member of MASE, Travis has an extensive history of leadership within the association as Board President, Treasurer, Board Representative, and serving on the Federal Advocacy, Legislative, Nominating, and Strategic Planning committees. He also served as a facilitator on the popular Special Education Finance Bootcamp workshop. Throughout his time as a MASE member, Travis has tirelessly advocated for the rights and needs of students with disabilities, representing Minnesota's special education community at both state and federal legislative levels.
Travis holds an Education Specialist degree and a master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction from the Minnesota State University Moorhead. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University. He holds licensure in the following areas: Director of Special Education, K-12 Principal, EBD and MMMI, International Association of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention instructor, nonviolent crisis intervention training, and coaching certification.
"Todd has made a lasting impact on a number of individuals within MASE. His willingness to share insights and support fellow directors underscores a collaborative and nurturing approach, contributing to a professional growth and development culture," wrote Doug Hazen, Executive Director of River Bend Education District, in his nomination letter. "MASE is fortunate to have someone in our organization like Todd, and he is absolutely deserving of this recognition."
Travis has spent over 30 years in the field of special education and 25 of those years as a special education administrator. He has served as the Director of Special Education at MSEC since 2005. He previously served MSEC as the Assistant Director of Special Education and Due Process Facilitator. Travis began his career in special education as an Emotional and Behavior Disorders (EBD) and Moderate Mental Impairment (MMMI) Teacher at Morris Area High School, Alternative School, and Elementary School.
As an exceptional special education director at MSEC, Travis has made a significant impact as a leader and mentor in Minnesota. With extensive expertise in special education finance, law, and regulations, he ensures quality programming for students with disabilities in the eight independent school districts served by MSEC. Travis’ expertise in the field has earned him the trust and respect of his colleagues, and his commitment to the advancement of special education has extended well beyond his role as a director.
As an active member of MASE, Travis has an extensive history of leadership within the association as Board President, Treasurer, Board Representative, and serving on the Federal Advocacy, Legislative, Nominating, and Strategic Planning committees. He also served as a facilitator on the popular Special Education Finance Bootcamp workshop. Throughout his time as a MASE member, Travis has tirelessly advocated for the rights and needs of students with disabilities, representing Minnesota's special education community at both state and federal legislative levels.
Travis holds an Education Specialist degree and a master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction from the Minnesota State University Moorhead. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University. He holds licensure in the following areas: Director of Special Education, K-12 Principal, EBD and MMMI, International Association of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention instructor, nonviolent crisis intervention training, and coaching certification.
MASE is a professional association organized to promote programs and services to improve the education of children with disabilities, to foster high quality programs of professional development, and to study problems relating to serving children with disabilities and improving the leadership of administrators for special education. MASE members are administrators for special education in public or private schools, cooperative regional, state and other education administrative units, college and university professors of special education teacher or administrator preparation programs, and administrators, coordinators or consultants for the Minnesota Department of Education.
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