Through NTR’s partnership with the Diverse Learners Cooperative, Maddy Galdámez leads NTR’s special education coursework. In this role, she prepares residents to design rigorous, accessible instruction and advocate for the diverse learning needs of students with disabilities. Her work is grounded in the belief that strong special education does not lower expectations; it removes barriers so every student can meaningfully engage in grade-level learning.
Maddy currently serves as a Program Specialist with the Diverse Learners Cooperative in Nashville, where she supports educators and school leaders in strengthening instruction for students with disabilities and multilingual learners. Her work includes developing and facilitating professional learning, coaching educators, and supporting schools in implementing inclusive practices grounded in Universal Design for Learning, literacy, and evidence-based instruction. Before moving to Nashville, Maddy served as an elementary teacher and literacy specialist in St. Louis Public Schools before transitioning into teacher preparation and instructional coaching. As Instructional Faculty with Teach St. Louis through Washington University, she supported teacher residents and mentors across elementary and secondary settings, with a focus on special populations, multilingual learners, literacy, and instructional practice.
Maddy holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University and a master’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Reading from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy at Vanderbilt Universit
