Special education is undergoing a transformation, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. On the latest episode of Wake Up and Teach, we speak with Dr. Catina Lyles, Chief Human Resources Officer at the Special School District (SSD) of St. Louis County, Missouri’s largest specialized education provider. Dr. Lyles brings deep experience in talent development, inclusive education, and human-centered leadership. Her insights are a must-hear for any district navigating the growing demands of special education.
Special education is bigger than supporting students with disabilities. As Dr. Lyles explains, it’s about fostering environments where every student thrives. One of the key trends she highlights is the increasing importance of social-emotional learning (SEL). Nowadays, SEL is foundational. When students lack the emotional tools to manage stress, build relationships, or regulate their behavior, their academic performance suffers. Special educators play a vital role in developing these skills through individualized instruction that can then be transferred into general education settings. That, in turn, has created a rising demand for educators skilled in social-emotional development.
Recruiting and retaining qualified special education professionals has become more challenging than ever. Dr. Lyles notes a troubling decline in students pursuing special education majors at the university level, which shrinks the candidate pipeline before teachers ever enter the field. Compounding this is a general lack of awareness among pre-service teachers about the diverse and rewarding career paths within special education. SSD is actively addressing these challenges by recruiting from within, offering paraprofessionals a pathway to become certified teachers, and by forming stronger relationships with colleges to raise visibility and interest in the profession.
What sets SSD apart is how deeply collaboration is embedded into its structure. Serving 22 partner districts, SSD’s success depends on shared planning, communication, and alignment across districts, to ensure students are receiving consistent, high-quality support. This level of collaboration is especially important when it comes to inclusion: the practice of integrating students with disabilities into general education classrooms. For inclusion to succeed, general and special educators must work in partnership, bringing together their unique expertise to meet student needs. Without that collaboration, students risk receiving fragmented support that doesn’t translate across learning environments.
Dr. Lyles is clear that leadership plays a central role in building an inclusive, collaborative culture. She encourages district leaders to adopt a shared vision for what student success looks like and ensure all staff, from general educators to social workers to support personnel, are working together toward that vision. Instead of splitting responsibilities along traditional lines, team members should share accountability for every student, regardless of ability.
Supporting staff well-being is another cornerstone of SSD’s approach. From onboarding mentorship to professional development, manageable caseloads, and celebrations of success, the district focuses on creating a work environment where educators feel respected and supported. That focus extends to benefits and mental health resources, recognizing that caring for educators is foundational to caring for students.
Looking ahead, Dr. Lyles sees artificial intelligence as a potential game-changer – not in replacing educators, but in freeing up their time. By streamlining administrative tasks and data analysis, AI could give teachers and support staff the margin they need to focus on direct student and family engagement. It’s a perspective that challenges prevailing fears and invites innovation as a tool for empowerment.
As special education continues to evolve, Dr. Lyles believes the role of special education professionals will only grow in importance, especially in areas like SEL and multi-agency collaboration. Districts need to invest in professional learning, leverage technology, and expand partnerships to keep up with the demands of a diverse student population.
At Kelly Education, we’re proud to work alongside leaders like Dr. Lyles who are transforming challenges into opportunities for systemic improvement. Whether it’s preparing paraprofessionals to become teachers, supporting inclusive practices, or piloting new technologies, her work exemplifies the kind of visionary thinking needed in today’s schools.
Tune in to this episode of Wake Up and Teach to hear the full conversation with Dr. Catina Lyles, and be inspired by the bold, practical steps SSD is taking to build an inclusive, resilient education workforce – one that’s ready to meet every student where they are.
Click here to listen to the entire episode of Wake Up And Teach, presented by Kelly Education.