Jo Anne Blades was the Assistant Director of the Special Education Resolution Center for 18 years. SERC manages alternative dispute resolution and due process hearings through contract with the Oklahoma State Department of Education. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas Tech University and Juris Doctor from The University of Akron. She was an educator in public schools for over 15 years, in private law practice for 10 years, and then the manager of SERC. During her years at SERC, she supported hearing officers and assisted them in carrying out their duties. She is a strong advocate for fair systems of dispute resolution for children with disabilities. One of her greatest joys was supporting her granddaughter in her journey as a neurodivergent individual. She retired at the end of 2023, but enjoys sharing information that might support other systems.
The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education
Supporting the prevention and resolution of disputes through partnership and collaboration