Liz Shirey became the Special Education Director for AIMS@UNM in August of 2021. In her role, she works to ensure that students with an Individual Education Program (IEP) have the opportunity to have a voice in the process of developing their IEPs. She encourages students to self-advocate by creating a meeting environment that is safe, honest, and affirming. Her philosophy is that middle and high school students who take ownership of their education, and learn how to advocate for themselves will strive to lay the best foundation upon which they can build their futures. Mrs. Shirey studied at the University of New Mexico where she majored in Special Education, minored in General Education, and earned her Bachelor’s degree. She spent the next 30 years teaching in Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), acted as Head Teacher of Special Education, oversaw a large team of Special Education teachers and educational assistants at an APS hub school, and led the school’s crisis team. She has worked with a wide range of students from students with significant disabilities to Gifted students. She retired from APS in 2018, but returned to the classroom later that year to teach at a private school for two years. She then entered the world of Charter schools and was offered the opportunity to take on the Special Education Director’s position at AIMS@UNM. It has been a wonderful experience for Mrs. Shirey to be a part of the team at AIMS@UNM. The staff, student body and parents are remarkable, and she has greatly enjoyed working with such amazing people
