Dr. Charlie Merrow has devoted his career to special education, serving as a teacher, researcher, coach, and leader. He began his career as a special education classroom teacher in Sub-Saharan Africa for several years then working for Special Olympics Africa leading inclusive youth leadership programs and curriculum initiatives across the continent. Upon returning to the US, Charlie was a high school special education educator teaching in affective needs classrooms and oversaw autism spectrum disorder services and programming at a day-treatment and residential facility school. Transitioning to special education teacher preparation and research, Charlie served as a university instructor, site professor mentoring special education student teachers, and conducted research for his PhD focusing on disability studies and equity.

Since 2022, Charlie has been the Director of Special Education for Denver Public Schools, where he oversees all programming and services for students with disabilities across Colorado’s largest district. Charlie holds a Ph.D. in Education and Human Development specializing in Disability Studies, a M.A. in Special Education, teaching licenses in special education and autism education, a school district administrator license, and is a certified yoga instructor.

Outside of the classroom, Charlie can often be found training for an ultra marathon, exploring local coffee shops and record stores, and gardening and painting with his wife and two daughters. Actively involved in community advocacy, Charlie volunteers as a Board Member on the Colorado Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and is a member of the Colorado Department of Education Special Education Advisory Council (CSEAC), advocating for inclusive practices and equitable access for people with disabilities.