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 individual differences and needed support. All students who qualify for Special Education services receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines how our schools will meet each student’s individual 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, pre-school 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.
The mission of Lynwood Unified School District, the cultivator of innovative thinkers, is to ensure each student fearlessly achieves his or her highest academic and personal aspirations while contributing to the greater society through a unique system distinguished by people of great character who inspire and lead by example; the instilling of courage to be creative; the transformative uses of technology; safe and clean environments and the honoring of all voices of our community.
Contact Information
Administrative Team:
Héctor H. Márquez-Mesa, Ed.D.
Director of Special Education
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
Rejielyn Cerdenio, OTD, OTR/L.
Director of Occupational Therapy
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
Matt Adair, MBA.
Coordinator of Special Education
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8110
Lavyddya Anderson, M.Ed.
Coordinator of Special Education
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
Yvette Mayhorn-Harps, Ed.D.
Coordinator of Special Education
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
Health Services Specialist:
Sue Poh, RN,PHN, CSN
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
Program Specialists:
Kyu Parks, M.Ed.
Program Specialist: Elementary & Secondary Education
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
Dora Rios, M.Ed.
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8139
Program Specialist: Elementary & Secondary Education
Board Certified Behavior Analyst:
Francisco Macias, M.S., BCBA
Special Education Department
310.886.1600 x8128
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:
Melanie Castro, Adapted Physical Education (APE) Specialist
Brittney Franks, Adapted Physical Education (APE) Specialist
Brendan Moriyama, Adapted Physical Education (APE) Specialist
