A Message from the Executive Director, Tamara Schiern
Dear Families of the West San Gabriel Valley SELPA,
It has been so wonderful to return for a new school year. I think I'm not alone as an educator when I say that I love the cyclical nature of what we do: new beginnings, fresh starts and the energey of a new school year. The smiling faces and gleeful voices of children on the playgrounds in fall is the sweetest thing. Here at the SELPA, our goals are to support our students with unique needs, including those that might have some challenges transitioning to new school years, schools or classrooms. We have a team that includes two school psychologists and two program specialists who are on hand to support students, teachers, staff and families.
Please know that the SELPA is here as a resource for both staff and families. We assist districts in providing high quality services and programs and also support families in navigating the IEP process. The SELPA contracts with independent facilitators/mediators who can help families and districts resolve any disputes in a positive manner that preseves relationships. Please don't hestiate to reach out if the SELPA can help you in any way.
Wishing you a wonderful fall with cooler days ahead.
In Partnership,
Tamara Schiern
Executive Director, West San Gabriel Valley SELPA
Welcome Brian Wagner, Coordinator of Teacher Residency
Please welcome Dr. Brian Wagner the WSGV SELPA's new Coordinator for the Teacher Residency Program. Brian holds a BA in History for Heidelberg University, A Master's Degree in School Administration from CSU LA, A Master's Degree in Special Education, Autism, From Brandman University, and a Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne. He has served as an educator for 35 years. This has included time as a general education and special education teacher. He has served in school administration as a Dean, Assistant Principal and Principal at all levels. He has also worked as a Coordinator of Special Education. Brian's goal for the SELPA Teacher Residency Program is to ensure that we have a solid and supportive pipeline to provide highly trained well prepared teachers that can meet the unique needs of our diverse population of the SELPA. He can be reached at wagner_brian@ausd.us or (626) 233-8775.
Vonni Cummings, Program Specialist, Teacher Residency
Pleased to introduce Vonni Cummings, Program Specialist, Teacher Residency. In this role, Vonni will oversee and be the clinical fieldwork supervisor for our Alder Graduate School of Education Teacher Residents. Vonni has successfully served in various capacities and is deeply committed to team and ongoing personal and professional growth. As a leader, Vonni strives to model continuous improvement and support others in maximizing their potential.
Vonni holds both a Multi-Subject Teaching Credential and an Educational Specialist Credential. Her background in autism and dyslexia benefits the Alder teacher residents in their Graduate/Masters program. She holds certification from the Orton-Gillingham Academy, allowing for teaching and coaching others in a structured, systematic, multi-modal approach tailored to students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. She has a passion for mentoring new and student teachers, as demonstrated through her work as an Induction Mentor for LACOE with both general and special education teachers.
Kathleen Wright, School Psychologist
Kathleen is excited to bring 24 years as a School Psychologist to the WSGV SELPA. Throughout her experience with Alhambra USD, she has enjoyed consulting with general education, supporting self contained classrooms in specialized programs and supporting students placed outside the district at nonpublic schools and residential treatment centers. Additionally, she has specialized knowledge with regard to students with ASD, MTSS and PTSD, which helps her focus on trauma informed and person centered support for students. Kathleen looks forward to the opportunity to share her experience and help our partner districts with a variety of special education student needs.
El Monte City School District *Spotlight* SHINE--Medical Needs and Orthopedic Impairment Programs
At Thompson School, we are proud to offer specialized educational programs for students with unique needs through our regional classes. These programs cater to students in our SHINE--Medical Needs class and two Orthopedic Impairment (OI) classes, providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where every child can thrive. Thompson School is made up of a caring and loving staff that create a supportive environment for all students that attend Thompson School.
The SHINE class, led by Chris Stidger, is designed for students who require specialized care due to complex health needs. With a compassionate and thoughtful approach, Chris ensures that students receive not only an exceptional education but also the attention needed to maintain their well-being throughout the day.
Our Orthopedic Impairment classes serve students with physical disabilities that impact their ability to access the general curriculum. These classes are divided by grade level:
- Nancy Perez, an experienced educator, teaches the 5th through 8th graders, fostering an atmosphere of warmth and respect while guiding her students through their middle school years.
- Gracie Castillo works with our youngest learners, teaching TK-4th grade students. Her classroom is a place where young children can grow, explore, and learn in a comfortable and inclusive setting.
In these classrooms, we use N2Y's Unique Learning System, a curriculum specifically designed for students with moderate to severe or extensive support needs. This program allows us to provide individualized instruction that meets the diverse learning styles of our students. The Unique Learning System is highly adaptable and focuses on building essential skills through engaging, interactive lessons, helping students make meaningful progress in both academic and life skills.
Our dedicated teachers, with years of experience working with students with moderate to severe and extensive support needs, go above and beyond to ensure their classrooms are places where students feel safe, supported, and valued. They are committed to helping their students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally, adapting the curriculum to meet the individual needs of each student.
In our continuous effort to enhance the learning environment, we are excited to announce the recent purchase of new furniture for these classrooms. This new furniture has been selected with the specific needs of our students in mind, ensuring comfort, accessibility, and a conducive space for learning. The updated classroom setups are designed to create a welcoming and efficient environment that supports both learning and personal care.
Thompson School in the El Monte City School District is committed to providing the highest quality education and care for our students with extentsive medical needs and orthpedic impairments. With the expertise and compassion of our teachers—Chris Stidger, Nancy Perez, Gracie Castillo, licened vocational nurses and instructional assistant— our regional classes stand as a testament to our dedication to meeting the diverse needs of every student.
