Early Childhood Champion to Helm Canyons’ Special Education Department

Terri Mitchell, an early childhood education advocate and the driving force behind Canyons District’s inclusive preschool programs, has been appointed CSD’s Director of Special Education.

One of the first 100 employees hired to help launch Canyons in 2009, Mitchell has 33 years of experience in special education. She worked as a teacher for schools in Oregon and Utah before landing an assessment coordinator job at Alpine School District in 1998. Prior to joining Canyons, she worked as an administrator for the Utah Personnel Development Center.

Her role as Director is effective with the start of the 2025-2026 school year. She’ll replace Nate Edvalson who has accepted an offer to lead Provo School District’s Special Education Department.

“I’m excited to continue on the great path our skilled teachers, administrators, support staff and related service providers have charted to ensure our students thrive and succeed from preschool through post-high school and beyond,” Mitchell said.

In Canyons preschools, general-education students are paired in classrooms with students who require special-education services so they can serve as peers and role models in language and social skills. Under Mitchell’s quiet yet steady leadership, the number of preschool classrooms in CSD has grown from 10 to 25.

A prolific scholar with an interest in early intervention special education strategies, Mitchell has authored more than a dozen research papers published in educational journals. She has contributed to several books and co-authored the title, “I Belong: Active Learning for Children with Special Needs.”

She earned her bachelor degree in special education at Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Utah.

For her contributions to her field, she received Canyons District’s Apex Award for District Administrator of the Year and the Utah Council for Exceptional Children’s Steven J. Kukic award for Special Education Administrator of the Year.

A proud Alta High graduate, Mitchell is lifelong member of Team Canyons.

When she isn’t using her “child whisperer” skills to divine what CSD’s youngest students need to take that all-important next step forward, you’ll find enjoying the serenity of an afternoon of fly fishing.