It Takes a Village
East Central ISD Department of Special Education: Fall 2019
Welcome Back
Welcome you to the 2019-20 school year! We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential.
SpEdTex
TEXAS STATE LEADERSHIP FOR AUTISM TRAINING
The Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism Training (TSLAT) provides a mechanism to access training, technical assistance, support, and resources for educators who serve students with autism. Online courses and videos are targeted for school personnel yet are applicable to families, especially pages featuring Parent Interviews and Additional Learning Opportunities.
ECISD Department of Special Education New Happenings!
We are excited to announce our new transition program Selby Transition and Employment Program (STEP). This program is for ECISD students 18-22 who are have not yet earned a high school diploma. This program provides intensive work experiences and training in real life environments. Our students work on:
- Self-advocacy
- Community travel training
- Daily Living skills
- Social skills
- Self-Determination
- Vocation
- Preparing for Post 22
- Collaborating with Texas WorkForce Solutions
- Community partnerships
Some areas of the program, include:
The STEP Store is a retail store with second hand items that serves as a multi-purpose for students in the 18+ program who learn retail skills. ECISD students will earn time to spend in the store and receive community-based instruction.
More information to come!
A T-shirt and print shop that takes custom orders.
Classroom environment to work on resumes.
Grocery store- customer service
Housing and Home Management
We believe that an inclusivity benefits all members of the ECISD community and self-advocacy skills.
Nina Pugh, Director of Special Education
ECISD SpEd Staff Spotlight
How long have you been in Education?
I have been in education and working for East Central ISD for 20 years. This is my 21st year as a special education teacher. I was a special education teacher and the special education facilitator at Pecan Valley for 18 years. I have been teaching at Oak crest for the last two years as a life skills teacher.What motivated you to get into SpEd?
I have always known I wanted to work with children but volunteering with the special olympics fueled the desire to work with students with special needs. I also had a good friend that had a child with Down Syndrome, who was the same age as my oldest daughter and they were inseparable
What do you love about your job?
I love helping students with daily activities that we take for granted, such as brushing your teeth or feeding and even to communicate. I like to provide them the tools to be able to communicate with others and seeing the eyes light up- it is the best feeling a person could ever have. I look forward to sharing the knowledge I have gained over the years, with students and teachers in the future.
Cindy Painter
Oak Crest Life Skills Staff
Gearing' Up for Special Olympics!
ECISD Special Olympics
Special Olympics at East Central ISD
ECISD has enjoyed a remarkable partnership with Special Olympics of Texas. Together, we work to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children with intellectual disabilities.
We believe this is essential in helping special needs athletes develop physical fitness, experience the joy of competition and strive to be their best.
Athlete Eligibility
8 years old and older
Identified with an intellectual disability
There are significant limitations in two or more adaptive areas (skills needed to live, work, and play in the community, such as communication or self-care)
The condition manifests itself before the age of 18
Needed to compete:
Special Olympics Texas athlete medical form on file in our office- once every 3 years.
October 30- Special Olympics Bowling
For questions or to volunteer contact:
Nicole Tapia
Head of Delegation
ECISD Special Olympics
ECISD Up Coming Events
ECISD SpEd Family Meeting Dates
- October 8th 6-7 PM: Oak Crest Elementary
- December 10 6-7 PM: Pecan Valley Elementary
- Feb 4 6-7 PM: Heritage Middle School
- April 21 6-7 PM: EC High School
ECISD Special Olympics
Special Olympics Bowling
- First practice is September 20, 2019 at Fort Sam Houston Bowling Center
- 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Bowling Competition Event
- October 30
Family Appreciation Night & EXPO
- District-wide Event
- October 29, 2019 @ Legacy; 5:00-7:30
- Child Nutrition will be providing a “FREE” meal; Menu TBD
September Parent Trainings & Webinars- Region 20
Click HERE to view all the parent trainings & webinars being offered in September!
- Building Blocks: Supporting Social Learning in the Preschool Years
- Special Education Basics
- The Independent Child: Using Classroom Strategies at Home to Support Independence
- Dyslexia: What is it, and How Can I Help My Child?
- Strategies for Helping Your Child Remember What is Learned at School
- The Three E's of Healthy Living: Eating Right, Exercise, and Education
- Drugs, Dares & Dangerous Teen Trends/ Understanding & Communicating with Your Adolescent
About Us
Alethea Masch, Coordinator of Special Education
Liz Geisler, Special Education Instructional Specialist
Jennifer Baker, District Behavior Specialist
Susanne Cluff, Special Education Director Secretary
Trisha Orsak, Special Education Secretary
Email: nina.pugh@ecisd.net
Website: https://www.ecisd.net
Location: 6634 New Sulphur Springs Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: (210)648-7861
Twitter: @ECISD_SpEd