Diane McCarron Honored with MASE Distinguished Service Award
March 14, 2025
The Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) is pleased to announce that Diane McCarron, Director of Services for SpEd Forms and retired Director of Special Education for SW/WC Service Cooperative, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 MASE Distinguished Service Award. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to Minnesota public education, made significant contributions to advancing educational practices, and established a reputation for going above and beyond in service to students, educators, and administrators. McCarron will be recognized at a statewide ceremony during the MASA/MASE Spring Conference in Brooklyn Park on March 20-21, 2025.
"Diane's leadership style is characterized by mentorship, collaboration, and proactive problem-solving. She has a way of noticing and encouraging others to reach a potential they may not see,” wrote Kori Ryan, Director of Special Education of INDIGO Education in her letter of support. “I am fortunate to be the special education leader that I am today, due to her persistent guidance and encouragement, invitations to sit at the table, and friendship. Diane’s passion for the field of special education is evident in her tireless efforts to support both students and educators, making her a worthy candidate for this award.”
Throughout her distinguished 45-year career in education, McCarron has been instrumental in shaping special education policy in Minnesota. Her collaboration with legislative representatives and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has resulted in the development of policies that support compliance, funding, and service delivery for students with disabilities. As a member and chairperson of the MDE Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP), McCarron has provided invaluable expertise, advocating for meaningful legislative initiatives that strengthen special education services and ensure equitable access to quality education for all students.
McCarron’s commitment to mentorship and professional development has left an enduring impact on special education leadership. She has led professional learning initiatives at the district, regional, and national levels, equipping educators and administrators with the skills and knowledge necessary to foster inclusive, student-centered learning environments. By providing direct support to district leaders, she has played a critical role in strengthening special education leadership throughout the state. Her dedication to developing training programs, curriculum enhancements, and peer support initiatives has contributed to the professional growth of countless educators.
In her current role as Director of Services for SpEd Forms, McCarron has demonstrated exceptional leadership in improving special education compliance and documentation processes. She has worked closely with school districts to ensure that SpEd Forms remains a user-friendly, legally compliant platform that streamlines individualized education program (IEP) development and due process documentation. By incorporating educator feedback and overseeing training efforts, she has significantly enhanced the efficiency and accessibility of special education record-keeping, ultimately benefiting students, families, and educators. McCarron’s extensive contributions to special education policy, leadership development, and program efficiency reflect her unwavering dedication to enhancing the field of special education.
McCarron has dedicated her career to special education, serving in various roles across Minnesota and internationally. Prior to her administrative career, she worked as a special education teacher and case manager at Martin County Special Education District, Eden Valley-Watkins Elementary School, and the American School of Warsaw in Poland. She later served as Coordinator of Educational Programs and Director of Special Education at SW/WC Service Cooperative, where she provided leadership and direction for special education services across multiple districts.
McCarron has been an active leader within MASE, where she has served as President, Area Representative, and chair of the legislative and membership committees. She was the recipient of the 2014 MASE New Special Education Leader Award.
McCarron completed an Educational Administration and Leadership 6th Year Program from St. Cloud State University, where she earned licensure as a K-12 Principal and Director of Special Education. She also received a master’s degree in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC, and a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from St. Cloud State University.
"Diane's leadership style is characterized by mentorship, collaboration, and proactive problem-solving. She has a way of noticing and encouraging others to reach a potential they may not see,” wrote Kori Ryan, Director of Special Education of INDIGO Education in her letter of support. “I am fortunate to be the special education leader that I am today, due to her persistent guidance and encouragement, invitations to sit at the table, and friendship. Diane’s passion for the field of special education is evident in her tireless efforts to support both students and educators, making her a worthy candidate for this award.”
Throughout her distinguished 45-year career in education, McCarron has been instrumental in shaping special education policy in Minnesota. Her collaboration with legislative representatives and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has resulted in the development of policies that support compliance, funding, and service delivery for students with disabilities. As a member and chairperson of the MDE Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP), McCarron has provided invaluable expertise, advocating for meaningful legislative initiatives that strengthen special education services and ensure equitable access to quality education for all students.
McCarron’s commitment to mentorship and professional development has left an enduring impact on special education leadership. She has led professional learning initiatives at the district, regional, and national levels, equipping educators and administrators with the skills and knowledge necessary to foster inclusive, student-centered learning environments. By providing direct support to district leaders, she has played a critical role in strengthening special education leadership throughout the state. Her dedication to developing training programs, curriculum enhancements, and peer support initiatives has contributed to the professional growth of countless educators.
In her current role as Director of Services for SpEd Forms, McCarron has demonstrated exceptional leadership in improving special education compliance and documentation processes. She has worked closely with school districts to ensure that SpEd Forms remains a user-friendly, legally compliant platform that streamlines individualized education program (IEP) development and due process documentation. By incorporating educator feedback and overseeing training efforts, she has significantly enhanced the efficiency and accessibility of special education record-keeping, ultimately benefiting students, families, and educators. McCarron’s extensive contributions to special education policy, leadership development, and program efficiency reflect her unwavering dedication to enhancing the field of special education.
McCarron has dedicated her career to special education, serving in various roles across Minnesota and internationally. Prior to her administrative career, she worked as a special education teacher and case manager at Martin County Special Education District, Eden Valley-Watkins Elementary School, and the American School of Warsaw in Poland. She later served as Coordinator of Educational Programs and Director of Special Education at SW/WC Service Cooperative, where she provided leadership and direction for special education services across multiple districts.
McCarron has been an active leader within MASE, where she has served as President, Area Representative, and chair of the legislative and membership committees. She was the recipient of the 2014 MASE New Special Education Leader Award.
McCarron completed an Educational Administration and Leadership 6th Year Program from St. Cloud State University, where she earned licensure as a K-12 Principal and Director of Special Education. She also received a master’s degree in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC, and a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from St. Cloud State University.
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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