About Me

 
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Toby King

I believe in the promise of public education for all children. I have spent years working at the policy level to address mindset, culture, and performance relating to students who have been historically underserved.

My mission started early in my career. As a classroom teacher I watched my students enthusiastically explore new concepts, learn, and grow. I cared for my students as if they were my own children and I was inspired to ensure that each of them had access to the supports that they needed (universally) so that they could be as independent and successful as possible.

I took that mission and inspiration into the front office where I became aware that the system wasn’t set up to maximize equity and efficiency for all students. In order to make systemic changes I joined a state department of education to influence educator preparation, educator evaluation, and special education through a policy approach. Every step of the way I’ve been thinking about the children I’ve served as if they were my own and working to ensure that the promise of public education was accessible to all.

In 2020, I established improving outcomes 4 all to work with districts and schools to make systemic changes so they can get different, improved, results for all of the students that they serve.

Education:

  • Elementary Education; Florida State University (Bachelor’s)

  • Educational Leadership; Nova Southeastern University (Master’s)

  • Educational Leadership; University of Central Florida (Doctoral Studies- Coursework)

Work Experience:

  • Teacher (1994-1998)

    • Grades 3 and 6

  • Elementary Specialist (1998-2000)

    • Title One Coordinator ($373M)

    • School-wide Title 1

    • Center Programs (Special Education Pre-K, EMH primary and Intermediate, EBD Intermediate, SED K-6)

    • School Improvement Coordinator

  • School Administrator (2000-2004)

    • School-wide Title One

    • Approximately 40% Special Education

    • Center Programs (VE K-2, VE 3-4, VE 5-6)

  • Faculty, University of Central Florida (2004-2010)

    • Project Coordinator Florida Inclusion Network

    • Lead (Lake, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia Counties)

    • Co-lead (Brevard, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties)

  • Colorado Department of Education (2011-2020)

    • Director; Office of Educator Effectiveness (2011 to 2016)

      • Directed the office that created and implemented a state model evaluation system (principals, teachers, and special service providers)

      • Teacher Student Data Link

      • Developed Online evaluation system (Colorado State Model Performance System, “RANDA”)

      • Contributed to the State’s Equity Plan (2015)

      • Contributed to the State’s Race to the Top Plan/ Every Student Succeeds Act Plan (2018)

    • Interim Executive Director/Deputy Executive Director (2016 to 2020)

      • Oversight of Exceptional Student Services Unit

        • General Supervision/Monitoring, Results Driven Accountability/Inclusion of Results in Annual Determinations.

        • Dispute Resolution and State Complaints

        • Gifted and Talented

        • Disability Specific Offices and Consultants

        • Facility Schools

      • Oversight of the State flow through of IDEA resources

      • Significant Disproportionality

      • State Systemic Improvement Plan (Literacy)

      • Improving Least Restrictive Environment

  • Other Trainings/Certifications

  • Presentations/Collaborations

    • CEC-P

    • CEEDAR/C

    • OSEP-P

    • CASE Colorado-P

    • PEAK Inclusion - P

    • Promises to Keep - C

    • Courage to Risk Colorado - P