Cary J. Flores
Las Cruces,New Mexico
Summary
Compassionate Special Education Director with many years of experience as a self-motivated teaching professional and administrator. Demonstrates commitment to collaboration, diversity, and professional development. Brings strengths in leadership, curriculum design, staff training and collaboration with parents and caregivers. Known for fostering positive learning environments to enhance student success.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Special Education
Las Cruces Public Schools
Las Cruces, NM
07.2024 - Current
- Work closely with school district leadership and attorneys in responding to and monitoring state complaints, due process complaints, mediated agreements and corrective action plans.
- Provide professional learning regarding various topics in special education to school and district staff.
- Collaborate with district leadership on the Research and Development team, Professional Learning team, Data Dive team to develop processes, tools, and resources for the implementation of the LCPS Instructional Framework.
- Supervise Special Education Administrators supporting campuses with ensuring compliance with state rules, federal guidelines and district policies and procedures.
- Lead special education services and programming ensuring compliance, instructional support, and aligned service delivery models.
- Implement district-wide communication systems, OneNote structures, and Canvas training hub, improving clarity and reducing staff questions and email volume.
- Design and deliver professional learning that builds capacity in IEP development, inclusion, SDI, progress reporting, and service documentation.
- Collaborate with principals on master scheduling, staffing allocations, and caseload management for compliant service minutes and better student outcomes.
- Collaborate with Assistant Superintendent of Special Education in managing the budget for special education programs and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to meet the needs of students.
- Provide leadership and direction to special education staff including teachers, therapists, and educational assistants.
- Manage department guidance and information for district staff utilizing Microsoft OneNote, Canvas LMS, Microsoft Outlook, and the district website.
Special Education Administrator
Las Cruces Public Schools
Las Cruces, NM
07.2017 - 07.2024
- Coordinate the placement of students in special education in collaboration with school teams, departments, and district personnel.
- Monitor and provide guidance to private schools on Child Find procedures, evaluation procedures, IDEA B funding, and Individualized Service Plans (ISP) for students with disabilities in the private school setting.
- Work closely with the district Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team on providing guidance to campus leadership on procedures.
- Monitor Special Education transportation requests and procedures.
- Work closely with Executive Director of Special Education and campus administrators on monitoring and addressing district wide Special Education staffing needs.
- Complete local, state, and federal reports as needed to monitor compliance with state performance indicators such as Indicators 4a, 4b, 11, 12, 13 and 14.
- Provide support and guidance to programs providing transition support services to students after graduation up to age 22.
- Attend meetings, conferences and workshops commensurate with identified need as established by the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and/or Executive Director of Special Education.
- Practice appropriate confidential and professional communication per Federal Regulations of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Perform district leadership and administrative duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and/or Executive Director of Special Education.
- Provide professional development regarding various topics in special education to school and district staff.
Special Education Teacher
LCPS-Mesa Middle School
Las Cruces, NM
08.2016 - 07.2017
- Collaborated with general education classroom teachers to adapt curriculum, design and implement instructional strategies and modify materials to meet diverse learning needs.
- Coordinated with students, parents, and staff to develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students on assigned caseload.
- Monitored student progress while enforcing required modifications and accommodations.
- Managed student behavior by administering effective behavioral interventions.
- Conducted conferences with parents, students, and educators to maintain open communication.
- Utilized Synergy program to manage IEPs, attendance records, and grade reports.
Special Education Lead Teacher – Elementary Schools
Canutillo ISD-Central Office
El Paso, TX
08.2013 - 07.2016
- Assisted the Special Education Director in providing guidance to school campuses and department staff on Special Education, 504 and Response to Intervention (RtI) district, state and federal policies and procedures.
- Assisted the Special Education Director in reviewing student referrals for Special Education services.
- Assisted Special Education teachers by demonstrating the use of a variety of instructional techniques for the appropriate grade levels and/or placements.
- Evaluated and provided documentation to the director regarding progress by maintaining accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulation in the areas of Special Education, 504 and RtI.
- Cooperated with program teachers, campus administrators, and other appropriate staff in meeting district and department goals and objectives.
- Assisted in and/or present appropriate staff development.
- Coordinated appropriate programs Early Childhood-5 so that students can reach optimum performance.
- Collected, analyzed, and reported data on Special Education state performance indicators and federal requirements.
- Assisted in the development and monitoring of the Special Education program improvement plan.
- Assisted in the scheduling of appropriate training and the purchase of materials/supplies to meet the needs of students.
TLC Lead Teacher
Canutillo ISD - Canutillo High School
El Paso, TX
08.2010 - 08.2013
- Implemented and supervised TLC (credit recovery program) rules, procedures, and expectations.
- Implemented behavioral interventions as necessary to provide a safe, orderly environment.
- Collaborated with principal, assistant principals, counselors, intervention specialist, and at-risk students to develop a plan for at-risk students to be successful in high school.
- Collaborated with principal, assistant principals, counselors and intervention specialist in developing plans and strategies to decrease dropout rates and improve graduation rates.
- Oversaw and managed the district’s online curriculum program.
- Ensured the online curriculum program used for credit recovery meets guidelines established by Texas Education Agency, board policies, and administrative regulations.
- Planned and used appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
- Conducted assessment of student learning styles and use results to plan instructional activities.
- Modified curricula as needed for Special Education students according to guidelines established in Individual Education Plans (IEP).
- Worked with other members of staff to determine instructional goals, objectives, and methods for the TLC program.
- Planned, supervised, and evaluated assignments and performance of teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s).
- Used technology to strengthen the teaching/learning process.
- Utilized a variety of strategies including, but not limited to online learning, locally developed credit by exams, and course completion.
- Followed District policy and procedures regarding attendance maintenance and submission of transcript information according to established timeline.
- Created and maintain a program budget.
- Compiled, maintained, and filed all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.
Special Education Lead Teacher – All campuses
Canutillo ISD - Central Office
El Paso, TX
08.2007 - 07.2010
- Assisted and guided teachers in developing and maintaining a classroom environment conducive to effective teaching.
- Assisted Special Education teachers by demonstrating the use of a variety of instructional techniques for the appropriate grade levels and/or placements.
- Evaluated and provided documentation to the director regarding progress by maintaining accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulation.
- Cooperated with program teachers, campus administrators, and other appropriate staff in meeting instructional goals, objectives, and methods.
- Assisted with and/or presented appropriate staff development.
- Coordinated appropriate programs Early Childhood-12 so that students can reach optimum performance.
- Assisted in the development and monitoring of district Special Education policies and procedures and IEP implementation.
- Provided guidance to teachers in understanding and following state and federal Special Education policies and procedures.
- Assisted in and/or collect, analyze, and report data on Special Education state performance indicators and federal requirements/reports.
- Assisted in the development and monitoring of the Special Education program improvement plan.
Special Education Department Chair
Canutillo ISD - Canutillo High School
El Paso, TX
08.2006 - 07.2007
- Acted as liaison between campus administration/Special Education Director and the campus Special Education department.
- Scheduled and facilitated department meetings.
- Provided the department with support and information regarding policies and procedures.
Special Education Teacher - Resource English
Canutillo ISD - Canutillo High School
El Paso, TX
07.2004 - 07.2007
- Planned and used appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
- Collaborated with students, parents, and other members of the staff to develop Individualized Education Plans (IEP) through the ARD committee process for each student assigned.
- Monitored student progress and enforce modifications and accommodations.
- Managed student behavior and administer behavioral intervention.
- Established and maintained open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
- Participated in staff development activities to improve job related skills and to be informed and compliant with all Special education Policies and regulations.
Special Education Teacher – Resource/Inclusion English
Socorro ISD - Americas High School
El Paso, TX
06.2002 - 07.2004
- Worked cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify the regular curriculum as needed and assisted Special Education students in regular classes with assignments.
- Planned and used appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflected the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
- Collaborated with students, parents, and other members of the staff to develop Individualized Education Plans (IEP) through the ARD committee process for each student assigned.
- Presented subject matter according to guidelines established by IEP.
- Monitored student progress and enforced modifications and accommodations.
- Managed student behavior and administered discipline.
- Established and maintained open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
- Participated in staff development activities to improve job related skills and to be informed and compliant with all special education policies and regulations.
Education
Mediation Training -
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM10-2022
Principal Certification -
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX01.2013
Special Education K-12 Teaching Certification -
University of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX01.2003
Master of Arts - Organizational Management
University of Phoenix
Santa Teresa, NM01.2001
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Santa Teresa, NM01.1999
General Studies -
University of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX01.1997
General Studies -
El Paso Community College
El Paso, TXSkills
- IEP systems management
- Scheduling and program design
- Service delivery models
- Budgeting and special education funding
- Staff coaching and development
- Professional learning initiatives
- Compensatory services management
- Cross-department collaboration
- Data-driven improvement strategies
- SPED indicators monitoring
- Compliance monitoring practices
- Conflict resolution skills
- Legal compliance oversight
- Collaborative leadership approaches
- Administrative staff coordination
Timeline
Director of Special Education
Las Cruces Public Schools
07.2024 - Current
Special Education Administrator
Las Cruces Public Schools
07.2017 - 07.2024
Special Education Teacher
LCPS-Mesa Middle School
08.2016 - 07.2017
Special Education Lead Teacher – Elementary Schools
Canutillo ISD-Central Office
08.2013 - 07.2016
TLC Lead Teacher
Canutillo ISD - Canutillo High School
08.2010 - 08.2013
Special Education Lead Teacher – All campuses
Canutillo ISD - Central Office
08.2007 - 07.2010
Special Education Department Chair
Canutillo ISD - Canutillo High School
08.2006 - 07.2007
Special Education Teacher - Resource English
Canutillo ISD - Canutillo High School
07.2004 - 07.2007
Special Education Teacher – Resource/Inclusion English
Socorro ISD - Americas High School
06.2002 - 07.2004
Mediation Training -
University of New Mexico
Principal Certification -
Lamar University
Special Education K-12 Teaching Certification -
University of Texas At El Paso
Master of Arts - Organizational Management
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
General Studies -
University of Texas At El Paso
General Studies -
El Paso Community College