Special Education Sept. Newsletter
It has been a great start to a new school year. As our district continues to grow, we thrive to increase our customer service, family engagement and prioritize communication. The first step towards these goals begins with our monthly newsletters where we will keep you updated on the latest and greatest news surrounding Special Education.
Dr. Albrey Hogan: Assistant Superintendent of Special Programs
Dr. Albrey Hogan is the Assistant Superintendent of Special Programs at Southwest ISD and an Adjunct Professor in Special Education for Texas A&M-San Antonio. She is proud to have served as an educator for Southwest ISD for over 20 years. She has served in many roles within her tenure at Southwest. Dr. Hogan received her MA in Curriculum & Instruction and her Doctorate in Global Educational Leadership and completed her dissertation on Multidisciplinary Approaches to Treatment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
D'Lynn Erwin: Special Education/504 Compliance Director
D'Lynn Erwin is the Special Education and 504 Compliance Director for Southwest ISD. She has proudly began her 24th year of service in Southwest ISD and looks forward to her continuous service to this community. When she has free time, she likes gardening, reading, and hanging out with her dogs. She has made it her personal goal to visit all 50 states and thankfully only has 10 more states left on her bucket list.
Paul Black: Special Education/504 Operation Director
People and relationships have always been Paul Black's passion. His mother would tell him, “son you would give the shirt off your back to help someone”. Paul is very proud to say that he has been in education for 44 years with experience in several school districts. This will be his first year as the Special Education/504 Operations Director. He states that this position will give him the opportunity to provide help with classroom teachers and administrators in our Special programs. When he is not providing support to educators, he enjoys spending time with his big family and doing outdoor activities. He also rescues dogs and currently has 12 wonderful fur-babies. He is looking forward to working in his new role and will be happy to help in any way possible.
Hi, my name is Andrea Donelson and I'm SWISD's Transition and Employment Designee or TED.
What is a TED you ask? Well, the TED is an employee in a district who is designated as the primary contact for transition and employment services for students with disabilities in special education programs. As the TED, I provide information and resources about effective transition planning and employment services to school staff, students, parents, and agency providers.
So, if you're in need of any information and/or resources, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Phone: (210) 622-4300 ext. 3786
Email: adonelson@swisd.net
Region 20
The Education Service Center, Region 20 Family Engagement Program provides free training and support to school districts, charter schools, private schools and families to help strengthen home-school partnerships.
Family Engagement Program Initiatives:
- Provide ongoing and direct training and support for district and campus staff who work directly with families;
- Provide ongoing and direct training and support in building a sustainable framework for home-school partnerships;
- Provide FREE weekly parent trainings on a variety of topics, including special education; and
- Increase community awareness and supports.
Check out some of the available Parent Engagement Sessions for this month by click on the link below.
Penguin Project
Penguin Project is back! Rehearsals for The Southwest ISD Penguin Project's highly anticipated production of Moana Jr. will kick off on September 18th, bringing together 72 talented students from across the district. This year's performance is scheduled for January 31st and February 1, 2024, promising an unforgettable theatrical experience. Over the summer, students participated in a six-day Penguin Camp, where they bonded with their fellow cast members and began learning the show’s songs and choreography, including a spirited routine to "Don't Stop Believin'." The Penguin Project continues to foster creativity and collaboration, providing students with the opportunity to shine on stage. Stay tuned for more updates as the journey to the big performance begins!
