Shelia Self
Center Staff
Sheila Self joined the Anita Zucker Center in 2024 as a consultant and subject matter expert in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C early intervention, and Part B preschool services. Sheila has over 30 years of experience supporting young children and their families, and brings extensive knowledge related to federal and state policy, inclusion, early childhood assessment, and alternative assessments for students with significant cognitive impairments.
Prior to joining the Anita Zucker Center, Sheila served as the California Department of Education 619 Coordinator from 2015-2022 and a leader in the Early Education Division promoting statewide inclusion initiatives from 2022 to 2024. During her tenure at the California Department of Education, Sheila worked closely with data from the Desired Results Developmental Profile to ensure statewide child outcomes were reported to the Office of Special Education Programs. As a primary strategy to improve child outcomes, she partnered with the Anita Zucker Center to implement Embedded Instruction for Early Learning California which provided job-embedded coaching and professional learning opportunities for general and special education practitioners, related service providers, and program administrators. At the end of her tenure with the California Department of Education, Sheila served as the primary liaison between the California Department of Education, Special Education Division and Early Education Divisions, where she advocated for inclusion in the California State Preschool Program and established a statewide interagency workgroup to inform state policies to promote inclusive practices in California’s state preschool programs.
Prior to joining the Anita Zucker Center, Sheila served as the California Department of Education 619 Coordinator from 2015-2022 and a leader in the Early Education Division promoting statewide inclusion initiatives from 2022 to 2024. During her tenure at the California Department of Education, Sheila worked closely with data from the Desired Results Developmental Profile to ensure statewide child outcomes were reported to the Office of Special Education Programs. As a primary strategy to improve child outcomes, she partnered with the Anita Zucker Center to implement Embedded Instruction for Early Learning California which provided job-embedded coaching and professional learning opportunities for general and special education practitioners, related service providers, and program administrators. At the end of her tenure with the California Department of Education, Sheila served as the primary liaison between the California Department of Education, Special Education Division and Early Education Divisions, where she advocated for inclusion in the California State Preschool Program and established a statewide interagency workgroup to inform state policies to promote inclusive practices in California’s state preschool programs.