Randolph Todd Cohen is a distinguished educator and leader with 20 years of experience in special education
He currently serves as the director of special education and student services at Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary School District.
BONNY DOON, CA, March 18, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Randolph Todd Cohen has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Cohen is a distinguished professional in the field of special education, currently serving as the director of special education and student services at Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary School District. With two decades of experience in his profession, he has dedicated his career to enhancing educational opportunities for students with special needs. In his role, he oversees, leads, and coordinates a team of twenty-one staff members and collaborates closely with the principal and superintendent as part of the educational cabinet. His responsibilities include directing, developing, organizing, and overseeing all special education functions including student placement and progress, monitoring special education services on site as well as being a liason with non-public schools, coordinating special education counseling and behavioral supports, and directing the extended school year program for special education students. Mr. Cohen also develops and maintains internal confidential information systems designed to simplify data collection and organization of materials, mentors new special needs teachers, facilitates Individual Education Plan meetings, interdistrict coordination, and manages services provided by special education teachers, paraprofessionals, behaviorists, counselors, a school psychologist, a speech therapist and an occupational therapist at two school sites.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Cohen spent more than 15 years as a special education teacher, where he honed his expertise and developed innovative teaching strategies that have significantly impacted his students’ lives. His dedication to education was recognized in 2013 when he was named Teacher of the Year in his district, an achievement he considers one of his greatest accomplishments.
Before transitioning into education, Mr. Cohen had a successful career in professional theater and film as an audio master and resident sound designer. He spent more than a decade working with renowned institutions such as the Magic Theater in San Francisco, the San Diego Repertory Theater and the Summer Repertory Theater in Santa Rosa. This background in the arts fostered his self-confidence and enriched his approach to education, allowing him to develop a diverse skill set and incorporate creativity and technology into his teaching methods.
Mr. Cohen’s academic journey began at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he earned an Associate of Arts in 1988. He then pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in performing arts design and technology from California Institute of Arts, graduating in 1992. His passion for education led him to obtain a Master of Education in education from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2004. Additionally, he holds a special education credential obtained in 2009, which has been instrumental in his career advancement. He holds multiple subject and education specialist credentials with authorizations in autism spectrum disorders, English language development, and Special Education Support to individuals with a primary disability of specific learning disabilities, mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, other health impairment, and emotional disturbance, in kindergarten, grades 1 – 12 through age 22.
Throughout his life, Mr. Cohen has been influenced by several key figures who have shaped his professional path. Frank Zwolinski, the artistic director of the Summer Repertory Theater, played a significant role during Mr. Cohen’s early career in theater. Kathy Juarez, his high school drama teacher and mentor, inspired him to pursue teaching. His stepfather, Geoffrey Dunham, a criminal defense attorney, raconteur, and guitar picker known for his humor, wit, and presence, was a remarkable mentor whose legacy continues to guide Mr. Cohen.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Mr. Cohen is actively involved with civic-minded organizations such as ACSA, CEC, CASE and the International Thespian Society Troupe 91. He enjoys various hobbies, including archery, reading science fiction and fantasy literature, exploring new restaurants, traveling, and engaging in board games, language challenges, and role-playing games.
Looking ahead, Mr. Cohen aims to consult with other educational professionals to improve systems and communication between special education teachers and their communities. He is passionate about advocating for children with special educational needs and plans to become more involved in the local community while also dedicating time to enjoy live music events—a personal interest that complements his love for travel and cultural experiences.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
# # #
