Early Education

Office of Early Education (OEE) Staff 

Michael Umeh

General Preschool Questions

(919) 560-3505 or (919) 560-2000 ext. 26001

Michael.Umeh@dpsnc.net

Suzanne Cotterman

Director, Office of Early Education 

(919) 560-2000 ext. 26011 

suzanne.cotterman@dpsnc.net 

Karen Thompson 

Preschool Coordinator

(919) 560-2000 ext. 22162

karenC.thompson@dpsnc.net 

April Washington

Instructional Coach

(919) 560-2000 ext. 35727 

april.washington@dpsnc.net

Qushanna Glass

 Instructional Coach

919-560-2000 ext. 91202

qushanna.glass@dpsnc.net


        Leslie Greene

Child Find Coordinator

(919) 560-3933

leslie.greene@dpsnc.net 

Maria Salazar

Preschool Interpreter

(919) 560-2000 ext. 26262 

Maria.Salazar@dpsnc.net

Beatrice Springs

EC OEE Preschool Assessment Teams Coordinator

(919) 560-2000 ext. 26009

beatrice.springs@dpsnc.net 

A.Patricia Townsend

Whitted School Coordinator

919-560-9492

Albertina.Townsend@dpsnc.net

Durham Public Schools, (DPS) provides special education services to children who are found eligible in one or more of fourteen disabling categories. Some of the eligibility categories include developmental delay, speech language impairment and autism, among others. Upon eligibility determination, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed for each child outlining the services required to meet the child’s special education needs. Some of the services may include special education support from a teacher, speech language therapy, occupational therapy or physical therapy. The placement and frequency of service delivery is determined by the IEP team. DPS offers a full continuum of services and children are placed in the least restrictive environment. Children who are found eligible may begin receiving services on their third birthday and services are provided according to the DPS school calendar. If you feel that a child is in need of special education services and you would like to make a referral, please contact Leslie Greene at 919-560-3933. If the child has been evaluated or screened, those reports can be faxed to Ms. Greene at 919-680-6942 to help with the referral process. Durham Public Schools will conduct screenings and/or evaluations necessary to determine eligibility at no cost to the family. If your child has a current IEP and you are moving to Durham County, please call April Washington for assistance. April and Qushanna Glass also helps families with questions about their child’s classroom assignment. Durham Public Schools also serves at-risk four-year-old children through our Title I pre-kindergarten program. Eligibility for this program is determined through a universal application and screening process conducted in the winter and early spring for children who will be four years old on or before August 31 of the program year. The screening process is conducted in conjunction with Durham’s Partnership for Children, Durham Pre-K and NC Pre-K. Some programs do require income information. Parents interested in applying for these programs should call Durham’s Partnership for Children at 919-403-6960. Available spots are limited and placement is based on eligibility requirements for each program. For general information or questions about Durham Public Schools’ preschool services, please call  919-560-3505.  

Who to call for help with….. 

Office of Early Education Core Beliefs: