June 15, 2022 - At the June 14 Board of Education meeting, Dr. Tami Yates was named Executive Director of Partner Districts, effective July 1, 2022. Yates previously served the District in the role of Assistant Director of Partner Districts.

Yates began teaching special education in 1998. Since then, she has held titles such as special education administrator, executive director of special services, and director of special education. She previously served SSD from 2000 to 2012 before taking a position as Fort Zumwalt School District’s executive director of special services. Yates returned to SSD in July 2019 and moved into the role of assistant executive director of partner districts in October 2020. 

Yates serves as a board member of the Missouri Council of Administrators of Special Education (MO-CASE). She belongs to numerous boards and committees, including the National Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) and the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC). She is currently a member of the Local Administrators of Special Education (LASE) Chapter.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, she received multiple master’s degrees in education and educational administration, as well as a specialist’s degree in educational administration. She also has a doctorate in leadership in teaching and learning.

“I am truly honored and blessed to be part of such an amazing organization that puts the support and empowerment of students first,” said Yates. “I look forward to continuing with our work in equity, commitment, and collaboration with the 22 partner districts that we serve. Collaboration with stakeholders to meet student needs is one of my top priorities, and my new role will allow me to strengthen that.”