ECSEL Faculty
The Enhancing Capacity for Special Education Leadership (ECSEL) program at the University of Washington Bothell prepares candidates interested in administering special education programs through a non-degree program that leads to the required Washington State Resident Program Administrator Certification. Our faculty are here to support you.
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Bill Rasplica
William Rasplica retired after 18 years serving as the Executive Director of Learning Support Services for the Franklin Pierce Schools in Tacoma, WA. Prior to working in Franklin Pierce, Bill worked in administrative positions in the White River School District, the Sumner School District and the Seattle Public Schools. In addition, he was an assistant director in Illinois and worked in Iowa as the principal at a day treatment program at an Area Education Agency (AEA). He has had responsibility for program accountability and development in the areas of special education, Title 1, Learning Assistance Program, English Language Learners and Section 504. Bill has extensive experience in district-wide (K-12) and school-based implementation of MTSS, including the areas of universal screening, multi-level prevention systems, progress monitoring, and data-based decision making.
Bill was the recipient of the 2018 WASA/PEMCO Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Award. The award was presented on June 25, 2018, at the WASA/AWSP Summer Conference in Spokane.
Tom Bellamy
Tom Bellamy is Professor of Education at the University of Washington Bothell. His 50 years of experience in education include work as a special education teacher, university faculty member, research center director, federal program executive, and university administrator. His early research on employment of individuals with intellectual disabilities helped to initiate the national supported employment program. As director of the U. S. Office of Special Education programs, he oversaw implementation of the transition and early intervention programs. After leaving the federal government, Tom served for a decade as Dean of the School of Education at the University of Colorado at Denver and later as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at two other universities. As Dean, Tom became known for the system of partnerships that connected CU-Denver’s educator preparation programs with urban schools. As Vice Chancellor, he led the academic expansion of UW Bothell to include lower division students. After returning to the faculty, Tom developed educational leadership programs for principal preparation and preparation of local special education administrators. His recent scholarly work focuses on school leadership and change and has resulted in two books and several articles on the principalship.
Tricia Zurybida
Tricia Zurybida’s 28-year educational leadership pathway has led her through the roles of teacher, staff developer, principal, educational consultant, and Executive Director for Special Services. She has worked across the educational spectrum in urban, suburban, and rural districts including: Lake Washington, Federal Way, First Place Charter School (in Seattle’s Central District), Hoquiam, and most recently in the Shoreline School District. Tricia’s areas of educational expertise include: MTSS, students with moderate to severe disabilities, inclusive education, assistive technology, literacy, and blended/braided funding. As an alum of the University of Washington’s Danforth Administrator Preparation (18) and Leadership for Learning (L4L2) doctoral program, Tricia is passionate about helping current and aspiring leaders develop their knowledge and skills through practical experiences supported through informed, critical, and values-based reflection.
Franklin Day
Franklin Day is currently the director of student support services in the Cheney School District. Prior to joining Cheney, Franklin worked in administrative positions in Spokane Public Schools and the Mead School District. He also worked as a school psychologist in Mead and Clark County School District (Nevada). Franklin has served on the executive boards for the Nevada Association of School Psychologists, the Southern Nevada Association for the Education of Young Children, Washington-Council of Administrators of Special Education and the Woodland Montessori School Board of Directors. Franklin has worked in mental health hospitals, birth to three early intervention programs, public and private preschool, public and charter k-12 schools and in higher education systems, and as an ABA therapist. Franklin has responsibility for special education, section 504, English Language Learners and nursing services. Franklin has experience with program development, community engagement, local and national advocacy and collaborative teams and structures.
Laura Matson
Laura Matson currently works at Puget Sound ESD as a Special Services Director, where she and her team provide leadership and technical support for special education services and staff in King and Pierce County. Laura began her career as a special education teacher in 1981 and over her career has also been a behavior specialist, program specialist, and district special education administrator. Laura has extensive experience supporting students with significant behavior challenges, as well as post-secondary transition services. In her current role at Puget Sound ESD, she also utilizes her knowledge of special education compliance regulations, combined with best practice to provide technical support regarding the design and delivery of special education services. Additionally, Laura provides professional development on a wide variety of topics related to special education including co-teaching, functional behavior assessment, specially-designed instruction, progress monitoring, alternatives to exclusionary discipline, school-wide positive behavior support, post-secondary transition planning, and IEP development.
Laura is an active member of Council for Exceptional Children, and has been an officer for both Washington State Council for Children with Behavior Disorders and Washington Council for Administrators of Special Education.combined with best practice to provide technical support regarding the design and delivery of special education services. Additionally, Laura provides professional development on a wide variety of topics related to special education including co-teaching, functional behavior assessment, specially-designed instruction, progress monitoring, alternatives to exclusionary discipline, school-wide positive behavior support, post-secondary transition planning, and IEP development. Laura is an active member of Council for Exceptional Children, and has been an officer for both Washington State Council for Children with Behavior Disorders and Washington Council for Administrators of Special Education.