Introducing Dr. Kelli Charles

September 2024

Dear staff and families:

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Kelli Charles will be joining Portland Public Schools as PPS’s Senior Director of Special Education Program Improvement, Professional Development, and Family Engagement. Dr. Charles will work in collaboration with our current Senior Director of Special Education Operations and Compliance, Michelle Murer, to lead, support and transform special education programming.

Dr. Charles comes to PPS from the Houston Independent School District (HISD) where most recently she worked with new teachers as part of HISD’s Alternative Certification Program. In this role, she developed and implemented ongoing, job-embedded coaching and professional development programs for teacher interns. These programs focused on enhancing instructional practices, fostering inclusive classroom environments, and ensuring compliance with program requirements.

At HISD, she also served as Senior Manager of Special Education, developing annual conferences that brought together special education and general education teachers, campus administrators, community members, and parents to collaboratively learn and address the needs of students with disabilities. These events fostered a unified approach to inclusion, ensuring that all stakeholders were equipped with the knowledge and skills to support every student’s success.

Prior to her time at HISD, Dr. Charles worked as the Executive Director of Student Support Services for Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) where she oversaw the special education, multilingual learners, student support, and alternative schools departments. While at KCKPS, Dr. Charles partnered with medical and mental health professionals to integrate essential services directly into schools. Dr. Charles also championed initiatives ensuring that students received holistic support for both their mental and physical well-being. These efforts resulted in a more connected and resource-rich environment, empowering students to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Her extensive experience also includes serving as the Director of Special Education for the Austin Independent School District in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Charles received her B.A. in history from Grambling State University, her M.A. in History from Southern University and A&M College, and her Ed.D. in Executive Educational Leadership from Houston Christian University.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Kelli Charles on being named PPS’s Senior Director of Special Education Program Improvement, Professional Development, and Family Engagement.

Cordially,

Jey Buno
Chief of Student Support Services