Kimberly Salomonson is committed to collaborating with state, regional, and local educators to align systems, build collaboration, and close the achievement gap for all students. She specializes in education policy and practice at the local, county, and state levels, and brings a powerful perspective to building systemwide coherence through culture shifts, coaching and collaborative team building, inclusive-minded and equity-based decision-making, sound resource and fiscal allocation practices, and instructional design.
From her two decades of work in a highly awarded turnaround school district in Central California, prior to joining WestEd, Salomonson has an extensive background developing and implementing inclusive practices and training others to implement those practices. She served in multiple leadership roles at all levels in the district. During her tenure, she helped establish and evolve the district’s Response to Intervention (RTI) process, developed the district’s social-emotional (CARE) program, created a Golden Bell award–winning postsecondary transition program for students with disabilities, and initiated a number of other practices to enhance learning outcomes for all students.
She is currently serving as California Governor appointee for the Advisory Commission on Special Education which is tasked to provide recommendations and advice to the State Board of Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the legislature, and the governor in new and continuing areas of research, program development, and evaluation in California special education.
Salomonson has an MA in education, a BA in psychology, and an administrative credential as a Chancellors Fellow.