Penelope Wheeler-Abbott

Senior Education & Human Resources Specialist

Penelope Wheeler-Abbott

Senior Education & Human Resources Specialist

Phone: 207.253.0596 Fax: 207.772.3627 Email: pwheeler-abbott@dwmlaw.com

84 Marginal Way, Suite 600 Portland, ME 04101-2480

Assistant: Gabrielle Barber Email: gbarber@dwmlaw.com

About

Penelope Wheeler-Abbott works with schools and municipalities as a non-lawyer consultant and advocate providing guidance on wide-ranging education and human resources matters including special education, school administration, investigation, personnel evaluation, supervision, and policy development.  As a former school administrator, Penny has extensive experience in dealing with employee, student, and education issues of all kinds. She maintains her certifications as a teacher, building administrator, and assistant superintendent.

Penny skillfully helps clients navigate the challenges inherent in managing the needs and requests of school and local government’s diverse stakeholders. She provides consultation on challenging special education issues, attends IEP team meetings as an advocate for schools, helps schools respond to special education complaints and prepare for due process hearings. Penny also conducts a wide variety of investigations for public sector entities including investigations of harassment, discrimination, Title IX complaints, and employee and student misconduct – including student bullying allegations. Additionally, Penny provides consultation support to clients regarding employee supervision and evaluation, as well as offering in-service training.

In her free time, Penny can be found exploring and hiking in Maine and New Hampshire. She also enjoys knitting, reading, and spending time with her family including her two almost-adult children. She is also committed to her community and serves as a Board Member at both the Chocorua Lake Conservancy and The Opportunity Alliance.

Education

University of Southern Maine, M.S., 1997

University of Montana, M.S., 1992

Macalester College, B.A., cum laude, 1990

Memberships

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (“ASCD”)

Community/Public Service

The Opportunity Alliance
Board Member

Chocorua Lake Conservancy
Board Member, Secretary

Past Presentations

From December 1, 2023 9:00 am

Spinning the Hits! Counting Down the Decade’s Top 10 Case Rulings in Special Education!

From October 4, 2023 9:00 am

The Tangled Web of Student Discipline

From December 16, 2022 9:00 am

Blast Off! A Countdown of 2022’s Top Issues in Special Education!

From May 10, 2022 9:00 am

The Reading Wars: Dyslexia Disputes and Delivering FAPE – NH

From March 24, 2022 9:00 am

Turf Wars! Who is responsible for delivering special education?

From September 16, 2021 9:30 am

Physical Restraint and Seclusion: Maine’s new law and Chapter 33 – ZOOM Edition

From February 26, 2021 9:00 am

Leaving High School: Long Last Looks Must End

From November 22, 2019 12:00 pm

BALANCING ACT! Making the Laws Fit for Students with Behavior Challenges

From July 9, 2019 12:00 pm

2019 Maine Special Education Law Institute

From September 8, 2017 12:00 pm

A New Take on School Consolidation: The Budget Bill Reforms and Other Critical Developments in School Law

From December 2, 2016 12:00 pm

Making the Grade in Special Education: Measuring Success, Eligibility, and the Delivery of FAPE in a Standards World

From July 12, 2016 12:00 am

2016 Maine Special Education Law Institute