Special Programs

Billye Trader
Executive Director, 
Special Programs 

Julia Walton
Secretary to the Executive Director 

Jennifer Upshaw
Director,  Special Programs

Jessica Sanchez
PEIMS/SERS Clerk

TBA
ARD Facilitator

Anderle Desronvil
School Psychologist

Candice Ekpin
Physical Therapist

Daniela Garza
Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist 

Lisa Gilbert
School Psychologist

TBA
School Psychologist

Renee Halko
Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant

Alexandria Hayes
ARD Facilitator

Nancy Haynes
ARD Clerk

Dara Lee
Speech-Language Pathologist 

Patience Hobbs
Speech-Language Pathologist

Melony Hoyt
District Autism Specialist

Christine Hubbard
Educational Diagnostician

Kizzy Jones
District Behavioral Specialist

Penelope Velasco
Autism Specialist

Wendy Kmiecik
School Psychologist

Charlotte Leagan
ARD Clerk

Jennifer Lopez
District Transition Specialist

Roxanna Montalvo
Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist

Elva Moreno
Bilingual Educational Diagnostician

Brittany Mulkey
School Psychologist

Meghan Murphy
Occupational Therapist

Amy Murray
Educational Diagnostician

Nancy Ojeda
General Ed. - Homebound

Andrea Paxton
Educational Diagnostician

Samantha Perez
School Psychologist

Sarah Praytor
School Psychologist

Kay Ramirez
ARD Facilitator - La Porte H.S.

Erika Sia
Occupational Therapist

Carrie Rife
Coordinator, Nurses

Cynthia Rogers
Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Ericka Ross
ARD Facilitator

Leslie Ryan
ARD Clerk

Chastity Sever
ARD Clerk

Dana Singleton
Physical Therapist

Angela Styron
Occupational Therapist

Mario Villarreal
School Psychologist

Desiree Walker
School Psychologist

Ruth Rosas
Inclusion/Resource Instructional Coach

Aiding Students With Learning Difficulties or Who Need Special Education, Section 504 Services

For those students who are having difficulty in the regular classroom, all school districts and open enrollment charter schools must consider tutorial, compensatory, and other academic or behavior support services that are available to all students, including a process based on Response to Intervention (RtI). The implementation of RtI has the potential to have a positive impact on the ability of districts and charter schools to meet the needs of all struggling students.

If your child is experiencing learning difficulties, you may contact your child's teacher, the campus counselor, the campus administrators, or the Special Programs department to learn about the school’s overall general education referral or screening system for support services. This system links students to a variety of support options, including making a referral for a special education evaluation or for a Section 504 evaluation to determine if the student needs specific aids, accommodations, or services.  A parent may request an evaluation for special education or Section 504 services at any time. 

Procedural SafeguardsParent Guide to the ARD  La Porte ISD Special Education Administrative Procedures

SPEDTex: The Texas Special Education Information Center

This center provides resources to stakeholders across the state of Texas. Their purpose is to optimize information and respond with technical assistance in a succinct and useful format that is user friendly, culturally responsive, and accessible to all individuals. SPEDTex provides supportive state-wide leadership that promotes collaboration, meaningful communication and participation in the development and delivery of services to children with disabilities. Website: www.spedtex.org.  Email: inquire@spedtex.org.   Phone: 1-855-SPED-TEX (1-855-773-3839).