Dr. Cashman is the Director of The IDEA Partnership at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). Joanne has a unique blend of academic preparation and practice knowledge. For 27 years she worked as a teacher, building principal and director of special and alternative education and dropout prevention for the Shikellamy School District in Sunbury, Pennsylvania.

Before joining NASDSE, she was the project director of The Interdisciplinary Doctoral Training Program at George Washington University (GWU). Dr.Cashman is a frequent presenter for state and national audiences and has authored articles, practice manuals and book chapters that bridge policy and practice. Her research interests include: shared policy agendas and cross-cutting policy strategies; organizational learning; system convening and communities of practice.

She received her doctoral degree in special education from the George Washington University, Washington, DC.