A warm welcome to Cale Whicker, Integrated Services Coordinator.

The morning air is cooling and kids are lining up at bus stops, which means one thing… back to school time! Some of the earliest staff to return from summer rest and relaxation are administrators. Integrated Services is proud to welcome a new administrator to the team. Cale Whicker has joined Poudre School District as an Integrated Services Coordinator.

Cale comes to us from Centennial BOCES, in Greeley with an extensive educational background and special education experience. He began his journey at the young age of 13 working under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, helping students with autism. By 16, he helped out as a paraprofessional for students with severe autism in his small town in Alaska. With all of his experience working with students with special needs, it only seemed natural that Cale make a career in education, a fact that he says he tried hard to fight. “I come from four generations of teachers, so I really thought I wanted to do something else.” Call it destiny or simply working in your strengths, a career in education called his name.

After some time abroad in Sweden, Cale received his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado in psychology with a minor in special education. He also earned his master’s degree from UNC in special education. In the words of Cale’s grandmother Margret Fautchald,”if you are not learning you are dying, so take every opportunity you have.” He took that to heart and received an additional master’s in education and human resources from Colorado State University. As if that wasn’t enough, he continued and acquired a certificate from UNC for special education director’s licensure.

Cale’s first school district was in Keansburg, Alaska at Hoff Elementary as a special education teacher focused on reading and behavior. After a time at the elementary school, Cale went on to work for a private company as a therapist. IMG_6389 (2) After that opportunity, Estes Park called his name and he took on a hybrid role as Director of Special Education as well as Elementary School Principal. Cale’s heart to change the way special education is viewed school wide lead him to work for two years as a second grade, general education teacher. His hope was to model how general education could facilitate and embrace children with disabilities. After a few years, he realized the best way to enact change was from an administrative level. Centennial BOCES in Greeley was the place he felt he was able to make a difference. At Centennial BOCES, Cale’s role was Assistant Director of Special Education. Not looking for a change, Cale felt settled in his role as Assistant Director. When a position as an Integrated Services Coordinator came up in the city he calls home he had to investigate further. While interviewing with PSD, the vision and mission of Integrated Services resonated deeply with him. Cale has made the transition to PSD with enthusiasm and is a delight to have around.