Dedicated education professional with extensive experience specializing in IEP systems management and compliance monitoring, developing data-driven improvement strategies, and fostering cross-department collaboration. Adept at conflict resolution and staff coaching, enhancing student engagement and success in diverse learning environments.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
MLSS/Truancy/SAT Coordinator
New Mexico Connections Academy
Santa Fe, NM
01.2026 - Current
Ensure compliance with state attendance and truancy laws, including documentation, notifications, and reporting.
Develop and implement truancy prevention and intervention plans with families and students.
Maintain accurate and confidential records of truancy interventions and outcomes.
Analyze academic, behavioral, and attendance data to identify students in need of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 supports.
Serve as the liaison between the school, local agencies, and courts regarding truancy matters.
Collaborate with teachers, advisors, counselors, and administrators to design and monitor intervention plans.
Facilitate MLSS, SAT, ASM/Truancy meetings and maintain documentation of student progress and interventions.
Oversee the MLSS and SAT referral process for students of concern including gathering and facilitating the team review of data to determine next steps including intervention plans.
Monitor and report effectiveness of interventions and make recommendations for improvement.
Develop and oversee attendance policies, procedures, and communication protocols aligned with state and district regulations.
Create and maintain systems for proactive outreach to students and families showing early signs of disengagement.
Collaborate with teachers and student support teams to encourage consistent student participation in live lessons and coursework.
Director of Special Education
Las Cruces Public Schools
Las Cruces, NM
07.2024 - 12.2025
Worked closely with school district leadership and attorneys in responding to and monitoring state complaints, due process complaints, mediated agreements and corrective action plans.
Collaborated 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.
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.
Supervised 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.
Implemented district-wide communication systems, OneNote structures, and Canvas training hub, improving clarity and reducing staff questions and email volume.
Designed and delivered professional learning that builds capacity in IEP development, inclusion, SDI, progress reporting, and service documentation.
Managed department guidance and information for district staff utilizing Microsoft OneNote, Canvas LMS, Microsoft Outlook, and the district website. are allocated effectively to meet the needs of students.
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
06.2017 - 06.2024
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
07.2016 - 06.2017
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
07.2013 - 06.2016
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
07.2010 - 07.2013
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
07.2007 - 06.2010
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
07.2006 - 06.2007
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
06.2004 - 06.2007
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
05.2002 - 06.2004
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, NM
10-2022
Principal Certification -
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
01-2013
Special Education K-12 Teaching Certification -
University of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX
01-2003
Master of Arts - Organizational Management
University of Phoenix
Santa Teresa, NM
01-2001
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Santa Teresa, NM
01-1999
General Studies -
University of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX
01-1997
Skills
IEP systems management
Scheduling and program design
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
Timeline
MLSS/Truancy/SAT Coordinator
New Mexico Connections Academy
01.2026 - Current
Director of Special Education
Las Cruces Public Schools
07.2024 - 12.2025
Special Education Administrator
Las Cruces Public Schools
06.2017 - 06.2024
Special Education Teacher
LCPS-Mesa Middle School
07.2016 - 06.2017
Special Education Lead Teacher – Elementary Schools
Canutillo ISD-Central Office
07.2013 - 06.2016
TLC Lead Teacher
Canutillo ISD - Canutillo High School
07.2010 - 07.2013
Special Education Lead Teacher – All campuses
Canutillo ISD - Central Office
07.2007 - 06.2010
Special Education Department Chair
Canutillo ISD - Canutillo High School
07.2006 - 06.2007
Special Education Teacher - Resource English
Canutillo ISD - Canutillo High School
06.2004 - 06.2007
Special Education Teacher – Resource/Inclusion English
Test Administrator for SAT and ACT ASSESSMENTS at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High SchoolTest Administrator for SAT and ACT ASSESSMENTS at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School