Meet Carrie Hunter: Director of Special Education & Student Support 

At Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance, this month’s theme, Unleashing Your Genius, comes to life through the people who believe deeply in every student’s potential. For Special Education Director Carrie Hunter, that belief is both professional and personal.

Unleashing Your Genius Through Individualized Support

Carrie Hunter brings more than a decade of experience in education and is in her 12th year as a school district administrator. Coming from a family of teachers, she developed a love for learning early on and became interested in psychology. While working as an instructional assistant and attending school, she went on to become a school psychologist. After seven years in that role, she became a licensed educational psychologist.

Her path into leadership began when she was offered the opportunity to coordinate extended school year services. That experience sparked her interest in administration, and she went on to earn her administrative credential. She then spent seven years serving as a Director of Student Services in a district supporting students in preschool through eighth grade.

After working in a larger district, she realized she prefers smaller districts where she can build close relationships. Before joining Sequoia Grove, she served as the Director of Special Education for three years in Fountain Valley School District.

Set Apart

Carrie’s professional work is closely connected to her personal experience as a parent. Her son, who has an IEP with an autism eligibility, struggled in a traditional school setting but thrived in virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. As he gained confidence and found academic success through a more flexible approach, her family made the decision to pursue independent study and homeschooling. Now in sixth grade, he has continued to thrive in this model.

“Seeing our son succeed opened my eyes to charter schools. When I came across the Director of Special Education role at Sequoia Grove, it felt like an opportunity to bring together what worked for my family with my professional experience. That’s what made me take the leap. I truly love the charter school environment.”

Carrie describes her transition to Sequoia Grove as both a shift and a positive surprise. Coming from a traditional school setting, she has been impressed by the strong systems already in place and the clear processes across the organization. She has also noticed how collaborative and welcoming the staff are, and has spent her first year so far learning and observing. What has stood out most is the shared sense of purpose.

“Everybody wants to be here. People are working hard, they take pride in their jobs, and I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

Everybody wants to be here. People are working hard, they take pride in their jobs, and I’ve never experienced anything like it.

Carrie Hunter

Individualized Support

Through her experiences, Carrie has come to see how special education works differently in a homeschool charter model. While IEPs are always meant to be individualized, independent study allows for even greater creativity and more tailored support.

At Sequoia Grove, that support starts with staff. Each student has a support team, including service providers, case managers, and program specialists, who work thoughtfully to meet individual needs. Staff are willing to try new approaches and problem-solve when something hasn’t been done before, helping create an environment that is both responsive and inspiring.

“My philosophy is that all students are general education students first,” Carrie shares. “Then we look at how to support them in the individual ways they need to be successful. It’s about honoring their right to be here, their right to be part of everything, and asking how we give them access.”

A key difference, however, is the parent’s role as a learning coach, which creates a closer, more collaborative partnership between families and educators. This approach allows teams to more directly support each student’s unique needs and create flexible learning experiences tailored to the student.

With this flexibility, students are able to build on their strengths. This might look like using a curriculum that matches their learning style, creating a schedule that works best for them, or offering breaks and reducing distractions that may be present in a traditional classroom. When learning is personalized and collaborative, they can discover how they learn best. That’s where their genius begins to emerge.

Carrie believes every student has something valuable to offer. With the right support, access, and people who believe in them, each student can shine.

Families and Teamwork

For Carrie, it’s important that families feel trust, respect, and inclusion. She wants them to know they are an important part of a team working together to support their child, and that their role as a parent and learning coach is valued. Most importantly, every family should feel that their child is truly welcomed.

Teamwork in the special education department is rooted in collaboration and shared learning, with families as an essential part of the team. Each team member brings unique perspectives and experiences. For Carrie, effective teamwork means clear communication, working together on plans, and supporting one another to meet student needs.

Looking ahead, Carrie hopes to strengthen connections between special education, intervention, and general education. She also plans to expand in-house assessments, allowing for closer collaboration with families and ensuring high-quality support for students.

“It’s important not to be afraid to ask questions. Be comfortable knowing that what works for your child may not work for every child, and that’s okay. Don’t ever feel bad for bringing up a concern or asking questions. Those conversations help you make the best choices for your child. You are a critical part of the team. Also, understand that it may look different than you expected.”

You are a critical part of the team. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—those conversations help you make the best choices for your child.

Carrie Hunter

Unleashing Potential

Carrie Hunter’s story is a reminder that quality education is not one-size-fits-all. At Sequoia Grove, the special education department brings this philosophy to life every day. Through individualized support, collaboration, and respect for each student’s unique path, they help students build confidence and independence, creating the space for students to unleash their genius.

Carrie (middle) posed with family, smiling at the camera. Grandma (left) and son (right.) 

Carrie (left) posed next to son holding a stuffed, black and yellow snake (middle) and husband (right) smiling in front of a wind turbine. 

Carrie (right) posed with husband (left) for sons (bottom) 12th birthday in front of a cake with candles.