Equity, Disproportionality and Design

Website: https://www.stjohns.edu/academics/faculty/samuel-o-ortiz

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ED&D Website: equityanddesign.com

Dr. Ortiz is Professor of Psychology and former Director of the School Psychology Program at St. John's University, Queens, New York. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern California and completed postdoctoral training in Bilingual School Psychology at San Diego State University where he also obtained certification as a school psychologist. In addition, he has served as Visiting Professor and Research Fellow at Nagoya University in Japan and was recently elected Vice President for Professional Affairs of Division 16 of APA beginning Jan. 2003. Dr. Ortiz trains and consults nationally and internationally on topics ranging from nondiscriminatory assessment to contemporary evaluation of learning disabilities. He combines practical and research based experience with specialized education and training in working with culturally and linguistically diverse children and parents. Dr. Ortiz is bilingual (Spanish) and bicultural (Puerto Rican).

Thank you to the California Department of Education and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence for their ongoing support.

Many educators contributed to this show by sharing their stories or giving input. Thank you to all the folks who generously gave their time to help us make this.

State and Federal School Reopening Guidance:

In this episode, we interviewed educators to hear their stories about reopening schools after the pandemic. We hope you enjoy their stories and insights. Here are some suggestions discussed in the episode:

Social-Emotional Learning and Mental Health Resources:

Greater Good Science Center

CASEL SEL 3-Signature Practices Playbook

San Diego County Office of Education Suicide Prevention Resources

The Equity, Disproportionality & Design team is one of five SELPA Resource Lead agencies. Visit our websites to learn more about how we can help you improve your special education systems:

Thank you to the California Department of Education and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence for their ongoing support.

Promoting Equity for Schools by Creating Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Experiences for English Learners.

For more information about the Equity, Disproportionality & Design Project, visit our website. 

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Deborah Escalante Montoya, Ed.D. is the Sr. Director for the Imperial County SELPA.  Dr. Montoya has over 21 years of experience working with and leading programs for students with disabilities.

Dr. Montoya is a strong advocate for students with disabilities, and English language learners. She believes in the important work of educators, and the array of opportunities they can provide to ensure equitable & accessible learning environments for each student.

Dr. Montoya has worked as a School Psychologist, Principal, Director of Special Education & Support Services prior to her role as SELPA Sr. Director. At present, she is also leading the SELPA Content Lead work: Improving Outcomes for English learners with Disabilities, in partnership with the California Department of Education and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence.

Lupita Olguin-Rubio is a Coordinator at Imperial County SELPA. Ms. Olguin-Rubio has over 20 years of experience as a curriculum coordinator providing professional development on literacy and language development for English learners at the Imperial County Office of Education.

Ms. Olguin-Rubio believes that language is power and that every student is entitled to have his or her voice heard. She is passionate about this philosophy and imparts this zeal in all her projects. Ms. Olguin-Rubio operates with a systems lens and recognizes that as individuals we are all change agents and have the ability to “be the change we want to see in the world”.

Ms. Olguin-Rubio has worked as a K-6 Educator, Site Director for the California Reading and Literature Project, Title III EL Specialist and English Learner Curriculum Coordinator. At present she is part of Dr. Deborah E. Montoya’s SELPA Content Lead work: Improving Outcomes for English Learners with Disabilities.

Vanessa Lopez is a Coordinator of Inclusionary Practices at Imperial County SELPA. Ms. Lopez has over 20 years of experience educating English learners with disabilities in resource and self-contained classroom settings.

Ms. Lopez enjoys working towards shining a light on the myriad assets English learners, students with disabilities, and those dually identified contribute to our education system and community. She believes in being a change agent and an advocate for all students and in the commitment and zeal educators in the field bring to their classroom setting on a daily basis.

Ms. Lopez has worked as a K-6 Special Education teacher, English language development coach, Resource Teacher, and Academic Support Teacher. She is a Google Level I certified educator and Assistive Technology support provider. At present she is part of Dr. Deborah E. Montoya’s SELPA Content Lead work: Improving Outcomes for English Learners with Disabilities.

Leadership through the use of systems and frameworks to organize support and transform positive environments for school districts.

For more information about the Equity, Disproportionality & Design Project, visit our website. 

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Michael Lombardo, MA is an Executive Director with the Placer County Office of Education and Coordinates the California Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coalition.

Michael’s  primary areas of interest focus on creating environments where our children can achieve their very best, feel engaged, safe and supported. In these roles he works locally and nationally as a leader in early prevention, student wellness, social-emotional skills development, breaking down barriers to learning, and family/youth engagement. Michael is a member of the California Department of Education School Attendance Review Board and Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup as well as the Placer County Child Abuse Prevention Council. He has presented at numerous local, state and national conferences and professional meetings. While directing several grant projects integrating mental health in schools, systems development, suicide prevention, and school climate, Michael has brought innovation to school mental health. He has extensive experience in the implementation and scaling up of evidence-based practices, multi-tier systems schools, juvenile justice, and human services environments. His diverse professional background includes leadership positions in Education, Juvenile Justice, Health and Human Services, Mental Health and System of Care. He feels his most significant accomplishment is being a father of two children who are now embarking on their own journey as adults impacting the world around them.

Luke Anderson Ed.S., BCBA is the Senior Director of Prevention Supports and Services for the Placer County Office of Education. Within this role, Luke oversees the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) regional initiatives.

Luke’s role also includes supporting the Differentiated Assistance process. Luke is a statewide SWIS and I-SWIS Facilitator Trainer and a member of the California PBIS Coalition Leadership Team. Prior to joining the PCOE team, Luke worked as a special education teacher, behavior analyst, school psychologist, and PBIS Trainer for one of the largest school districts in California. He has worked as a lecturer in the School Psychology and Special Education programs at CSU, Sacramento where he taught courses on academic and cognitive assessment. In addition to presenting at numerous state and national conferences, Luke has been an invited speaker at the UC Davis Mind Institute's Summer Institute, the Northern California LD Association Conference, the California MTSS Professional Learning Institute, and the PBIS National Leadership Forum.

Keeping students at the center through vulnerability and collaboration to strengthen support and equity for local school districts.

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For more information about the Equity, Disproportionality & Design Project, visit our website. 

From Jeremy Sawtelle is the Director of Specialized Student Support for the Shasta County Office of Education: 

My role is to provide consultation and training for equity and inclusive practices with the goal of improving our systems to better support all students. I work with local community agencies, families, state organizations, county offices, and school districts to strengthen practices, challenge current systems, and to facilitate difficult conversations. My background is in Special Education and I have a passion for my work and my values. Through our collective compassion and effort, we can systematically improve outcomes for all of our learners.

From Nick Syrrist, Support Services Consultant, Shasta County SELPA:

Special education has become my passion. After four years of teaching, I have the honor of working with the Shasta SELPA. Building relationships is fundamental to our mission of supporting comprehensive programs for all special education students. We daily face new challenges

in education; my role is to partner with individuals, districts, and organizations to address and overcome these challenges for the betterment of the educational system and, ultimately, our students.

How family influences the building of relationships and networking around equity work in schools.

GUEST: Russell Y. Coronado is the Executive Director of the San Diego South County SELPA. He guides the member school districts in all facets of special education. He has developed a specific emphasis in the area of under-represented students. He has built a reputation around Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Equity and Disproportionality.

For more information about the Equity, Disproportionality & Design Project, visit our website. 

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