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Exceptional Children's Program

Mission Statement

 Assure that students with disabilities develop mentally, physically, emotionally, and vocationally through the provision of an appropriate individualized education in the least restrictive environment.

Parent Training - Self-Paced
WAZEtoAdulthoodParentProfessionalTraining2025 (PDF)

Scholarship Opportunity

SY25MatthewCGraziadeiScholarshipApplication (PDF)

The Exceptional Children's Department Team

Department Phone Number: (919) 693-1103

Team Member Email and Phone Extension

Suzanne Cotterman

Senior Director

cottermans@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101269

Hattie Mathis Yates

Administrative Specialist

alexanderh@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101268

Charlesetta Cheatham-Smith

Budget Specialist

cheathamc@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101875

Melanie Burnette

Compliance Specialist

Medicaid Specialist

burnettemb@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101248

Donna Bowling-Critcher

Compliance Specialist

critcherd@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101271

Kathy Edwardson

Compliance Specialist/Extended Content

edwardsonk@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101270

Nekia Lawson

Preschool Coordinator

lawsonr@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101247

Alishia Ewell

Behavior Specialist

ewella@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101290

Elton Buffaloe

EC Behavior Technician

buffaloee@gcs.k12.nc.us

Jackson Claiborne

EC Behavior Assistant

claibornej@gcs.k12.nc.us