MDE’s Robyn Widley Named State Special Education Director

TO: Special Education Directors
FROM: Special Education Division
DATE: November 24, 2015
SUBJECT: MDE’s Robyn Widley Named State Special Education Director

Robyn Widley will be Minnesota’s state special education director, succeeding Barbara L. Troolin. Robyn’s first day in her new position will be December 16, 2015. Please join us at the December Special Education Directors’ Forum to welcome and congratulate Robyn.

Robyn has been the supervisor of the Interagency Partnerships Unit in MDE’s Special Education Division since 1999. She has developed powerful partnerships between MDE and stakeholders across the state to help students with disabilities and their families learn and live in Minnesota. Most recently, Robyn helped lead the alignment of MDE’s initiatives with Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan for persons with disabilities. Her statewide reputation as a cheerful and tireless advocate for children with disabilities helped her secure the director’s position. Robyn holds a B.S and M.S. in Special Education from Moorhead State University and an Ed.S. in Educational Administration from North Dakota State University – Fargo. We all look forward to her leadership in continuing our work to assure all Minnesota’s children get necessary support for healthy development and lifelong learning.

For more information, contact Diana Miller at 651-582-8616 or diana.k.miller@state.mn.us.