Special Education Staff

Kimberly Bankes , M.Ed.
Supervisor of Special Education -Transition Program - Low Incidence - 9-12+
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11417
kbankes@dasd.org

Mrs. Bankes is the Supervisor of Special Education Transition Services within the Downingtown Area School District. Mrs. Bankes supervises students’ post-secondary transition services and the Transition Program while serving as the district’s Transition Coordinator. Mrs. Bankes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Kutztown University, a Masters of Education with an emphasis in Social Emotional Learning from Neumann University, and a Post-Baccalaureate Special Education Supervisory Certificate from Gwynedd Mercy College. Additionally, Ms. Bankes holds teaching certifications in Elementary Education K-6, Special Education N-12, Highly Qualified status in English 7-12, and Leadership Administration and Supervision Certificate. Mrs. Bankes also completed the PA Secondary Leadership Transition Certificate in 2013.
 
Ms. Bankes has had extensive experience teaching diverse learners within autistic support, life skills, emotional support, and learning support environments from grades 4 to 21 while having a strong emphasis on transitional planning and services. Mrs. Bankes began her career at Exeter Township school district for 5th/6th-grade supplemental support. She then served as supplemental autistic, emotional, and learning support for Owen J. Roberts School District and had time as a 4th-grade general education teacher within the same district. Immediately before accepting the role of Supervisor of Special Education, Mrs. Bankes taught as a 9-12th learning support teacher for Downingtown East High School for nine years while also serving as the district’s Transition Coordinator. Mrs. Bankes works with the IEP teams, students, parents, the district, and community resources to help plan and coordinate transitional outcomes for DASD students.

Shannon Kirk, M.Ed. 
Supervisor of Special Education - Elementary 
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11415
skirk@dasd.org

Shannon Kirk is an Elementary Supervisor of Special Education for Beaver Creek, Bradford Heights, Brandywine Wallace, West Bradford, and Pickering Valley. She brings nearly 22 years of dedicated service in special education to Downingtown Area School District. Shannon's journey in special education was previously spent at the Chest County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), where she served as an elementary Emotional Support teacher for fourteen years at the Child and Career Development Center. Following that impactful role, she was the special education teacher on assignment, mentoring CCIU special education teachers at the Child and Career Development Center for five years. Most recently, Shannon served as a K-12 Supervisor of Special Education for the CCIU, overseeing a wide range of programs and initiatives at the Renaissance Academy Charter School.

Degrees and Certifications
Bachelor of Science Degree and Certification in Elementary K-6 and Special Education K-12  from Temple University
Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University
Supervisor of Special Education PK-12 certification from Immaculata University
Principal PK-12 certification from Immaculata University

Caitlin Leonard, M.Ed.
Supervisor of Special Education - High School
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11411
cleonard@dasd.org

Caitlin Leonard is the Special Education Supervisor for Downingtown High School East, West, and the STEM Academy. Mrs. Leonard began her teaching career with Avon Grove Charter School District co-teaching as the Special Education Teacher in the regular education classroom, as well as a supplemental learning support teacher. Mrs. Leonard subsequently served as a Supervisor of Special Education, and then later the Director of Pupil Services.

Mrs. Leonard holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Early Grades from West Chester University, a Masters of Special Education, concentration in Assistive Technology/UDL from West Chester University, and a Post Masters Supervisor of Education Certification from Slippery Rock University.

Degrees and Certifications
Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education and Early Grades from West Chester University
Masters of Special Education with a concentration in Assistive Technology/UDL from West Chester University
Post Masters Supervisor of Special Education Certification from Slippery Rock University

Jennifer Maley, M.Ed. 
Supervisor of Special Education - Low Incidence K-8
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11414
jmaley@dasd.org

Jennifer Maley is the Special Education Supervisor for the K-12 Low Incidence program at DASD. For the past two decades, she has served as a classroom teacher in elementary learning support and life skills. Through these roles, she has gained valuable insight into the challenges and needs of both our students and classrooms and the importance of fostering a strong, supportive team to create meaningful experiences for all.

Collaboration and communication are at the heart of her approach. In this new role, Ms. Maley is eager to continue this spirit of collaboration by working alongside our teaching staff to support them in their classrooms, address challenges, and celebrate successes. She will work closely with Building Principals, reg ed teachers, related service providers, district BCBAs, and consultants to ensure that our programs and specifically classrooms meet the diverse needs of our students.

Degrees and Certifications
Masters Degree in Special Education from Immaculata University
Supervisor of Special Education Certification from Delaware Valley University
Literacy Specialist Certification from Widener University
Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) certifications in Elementary Education and Special Education

Sallie Seidel, M.Ed.
Supervisor of Special Education - Middle Level
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11416
sseidel@dasd.org

Sallie Seidel has served as the is a Supervisor of Special Education – Middle Level since September 2019. She is assigned to the following schools: Marsh Creek 6th Grade Center, Downingtown Middle School and Lionville Middle School. Ms. Seidel holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and Post-Masters Supervisory Certification from Pennsylvania State University from the Pennsylvania State University, B.S. in Special Education from West Chester University, and an Associate in Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Delaware County Community College.  Ms. Seidel also holds Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) certifications in Special Education and Secondary English. Previously Ms. Seidel taught 8th grade learning support at Lionville Middle school for 16 years.

Special Education Support Staff

Elizabeth Dodds
Special Education Data Manager
(610)-269-8460 Ext# 11409

Erin Courtney
Program Assistant, Grades 6-12 Support
(610)-269-8460 Ext# 11407

TBD
Program Assistant, Grades K-5 Support
(610)-269-8460 Ext# 11406