Special Education Department

WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT!

Special education is the practice of educating students with special needs in a way that addresses their differences and needed support. All students who qualify for Special Education services receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP) outlining how our schools will meet each student’s needs. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that students with special needs be provided with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) that is appropriate to each student's needs. This includes early intervention services for infants and toddlers, preschool for students starting at age three, services for school-age children in grades K-12, and transition services for eligible students up to age 22.

Those of us in the field of Special Education are very passionate and committed to supporting our students who qualify for Special Education services, the students’ needs, and their families. Our special education teachers are well trained in instructional practices and strategies to support students with access to curriculum and efforts to realize their goals. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our department. We are happy to help you in any way we can.

Contact Information

Administrative Team:

Héctor H. Márquez-Mesa, Ed.D.
Director of Special Education
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
[email protected] 

Rejielyn Cerdenio, OTD, OTR/L.
Director of Occupational Therapy
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
[email protected]

Lavyddya Anderson, M.Ed.
Coordinator of Special Education
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
[email protected]

Yvette Mayhorn-Harps, Ed.D.
Coordinator of Special Education
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
[email protected] 

Health Services Specialist:

Sue Poh, RN, PHN, CSN
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
[email protected] 

Program Specialists:

Kristen Godoy, M.Ed., BCBA
Program Specialist: Competent Learner Model (CLM) Program
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
[email protected] 

Kyu Parks, M.Ed.
Program Specialist: Elementary & Secondary Education
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
[email protected] 

Dora Rios, M.Ed.
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
Program Specialist: Elementary & Secondary Education
[email protected] 

Board Certified Behavior Analyst:

Deniece Ibanez, M.A., BCBA
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x5051
[email protected] 

Francisco Macias, M.S., BCBA
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x6116
[email protected] 

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW):

Jessica Elvira, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Jessica Saldivar, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Laura Velasquez, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Adapted Physical Education:

Alvaro Jimenez, Adapted Physical Education (APE) Specialist
Melanie Castro, Adapted Physical Education (APE) Specialist
Brittney Franks, Adapted Physical Education (APE) Specialist
Ray Uhls, Adapted Physical Education (APE) Specialist