Niceta Thomas Receives MASE New Special Education Leader Award
March 8, 2024
The Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) has named Niceta Thomas, Director of Student Services of Roseville Area Schools, recipient of the 2024 New Special Education Leader Award. Thomas received this award for her commitment to students with disabilities and their families and her active involvement in professional and community affairs. She will be honored at a statewide recognition ceremony during the MASA/MASE Spring Conference held on March 15-16, 2024.
"Niceta strives to elevate her team to be better leaders and to always keep students at the center of every decision they make. I am proud of the work Niceta has led to align our center-based programs with general education reminding our staff that students with Individualized Education Program (IEPs) are general education students first," said Jenny Loeck, Superintendent of Roseville Area Schools in her letter of support. "Niceta’s equity-driven leadership impacts students, staff, and families both on the micro and macro level each and every day. I wholeheartedly support the selection of Niceta as the 2024 MASE New Leader Award recipient."
Thomas has served as the Director of Student Services of Roseville Area Schools since July 2021. She previously was a Principal, Special Education Supervisor, and Instructional Coach with Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS). Thomas began her educational career as an Elementary Special Education Teacher with SPPS in 2003.
During her first two years at Roseville, Thomas has showcased exemplary leadership through a multifaceted approach. She championed the implementation of an equity-focused mission for special education, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and increased family involvement. Thomas’ dedication to addressing racial disparities is evident in her development of anti-racist systems, mitigating over-identification issues for students of color in special education and preventing inappropriate placements in more restrictive settings.
Collaborating seamlessly across departments, Thomas prioritizes the inclusion of students receiving special education services as general education students first. Her highly effective communication skills, demonstrated through formal presentations, newsletters, and personal interactions, have fostered a more inclusive learning environment. Additionally, Thomas has played a pivotal role in the implementation of broader systems across the district, encompassing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and universal screening for social-emotional development.
Thomas is an active member of MASE. She currently serves as co-chair of the Communications Committee to the MASE Board of Directors. Beyond MASE, Thomas is a Board Member of the Ed.S. Advisory Board at the University of St. Thomas, where she is an adjunct professor. She is a board member of Proceed Inc. through the Progressive Baptist Church. Thomas is the Special Education Director Board Member of Intermediate District 916’s Alternative Licensing Board Advisory Board.
Thomas received a master’s degree in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Xavier University. She holds licensures for Director of Special Education, Ed. Specialist K-12/Administrative, and K-12 Special Education (EBD).
"Niceta strives to elevate her team to be better leaders and to always keep students at the center of every decision they make. I am proud of the work Niceta has led to align our center-based programs with general education reminding our staff that students with Individualized Education Program (IEPs) are general education students first," said Jenny Loeck, Superintendent of Roseville Area Schools in her letter of support. "Niceta’s equity-driven leadership impacts students, staff, and families both on the micro and macro level each and every day. I wholeheartedly support the selection of Niceta as the 2024 MASE New Leader Award recipient."
Thomas has served as the Director of Student Services of Roseville Area Schools since July 2021. She previously was a Principal, Special Education Supervisor, and Instructional Coach with Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS). Thomas began her educational career as an Elementary Special Education Teacher with SPPS in 2003.
During her first two years at Roseville, Thomas has showcased exemplary leadership through a multifaceted approach. She championed the implementation of an equity-focused mission for special education, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and increased family involvement. Thomas’ dedication to addressing racial disparities is evident in her development of anti-racist systems, mitigating over-identification issues for students of color in special education and preventing inappropriate placements in more restrictive settings.
Collaborating seamlessly across departments, Thomas prioritizes the inclusion of students receiving special education services as general education students first. Her highly effective communication skills, demonstrated through formal presentations, newsletters, and personal interactions, have fostered a more inclusive learning environment. Additionally, Thomas has played a pivotal role in the implementation of broader systems across the district, encompassing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and universal screening for social-emotional development.
Thomas is an active member of MASE. She currently serves as co-chair of the Communications Committee to the MASE Board of Directors. Beyond MASE, Thomas is a Board Member of the Ed.S. Advisory Board at the University of St. Thomas, where she is an adjunct professor. She is a board member of Proceed Inc. through the Progressive Baptist Church. Thomas is the Special Education Director Board Member of Intermediate District 916’s Alternative Licensing Board Advisory Board.
Thomas received a master’s degree in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Xavier University. She holds licensures for Director of Special Education, Ed. Specialist K-12/Administrative, and K-12 Special Education (EBD).
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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