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Special Education

Under the Direction of Dr. Kate Christmas, the Special Education department is an integral part of the Tustin Unified School District and provides a full continuum of program options to meet the unique needs of individuals with exceptional needs in the Least Restrictive Environment. It is the collective belief of the Tustin Unified School District that every school age child is a general education student first, and that students with an IEP should have access to the same educational programs and/or activities that are available to their nondisabled peers to the maximum extent possible.

Special Education is combination of educational and related service(s), as determined on an individual basis, to allow students with disabilities to benefit from their access to educational opportunities.  The District staff of teachers, instructional assistants, speech pathologists, special education coordinators, licensed school psychologists, and other related service specialists are dedicated to providing exceptional individualized services to students while helping them become as independent as possible.

The Tustin Unified School District, in adherence with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state law, provides a free, appropriate, public education for eligible students meeting residency requirements within the District boundaries who are between the ages of three and twenty-two. Additionally, the District serves infants with low incidence disabilities.   A student may qualify for special education services as an individual with special needs in one of thirteen areas identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If you suspect a child has a disability, you can find information on making a referral or you can speak to someone in Special Education at (714) 730-7301 ext. 314.

Kate Christmas

Kate Christmas, Ed. D.

Assistant Superintendent, Special Education

Arvin Garcia

A. Garcia, Ed. D.

Director, Special Education

Special Education Staff

Jeanette Andrews   

Coordinator 1

Bianca Guillen

Coordinator 1

Johanna Puccio

Coordinator 1

Jennifer Schmidt

Coordinator

Danielle Crane

Coordinator

Jessica Angel

Specialist 

Colleen Kim

Specialist

Dominique Gobran

Specialist

Brittney Barnes

Program Specialist, Pre-School

Additional Support:

Name Title Responsibilities Phone Number
Marie Sanchez Administrative Secretary Secretary for Assist. Superintendent 714-730-7301 ext 51336
Diana Markstrum Secretary II Records, Support for Coordinators 714-730-7301 ext 51386
Adriana Mendez Secretary II Autism Support, Transportation 714-730-7301 ext 51363
Sandy Yawata Secretary IV Mental Health Support 714-730-7301 ext 51391
Veronica Boggan Information System Specialist SEIS, CALPADS 714-730-7301 ext 51313
Candice Graven Account Clerk Medical, Paradigm 714-730-7301 ext 51364

 

Our Location:

 

Educational Support Center

1151 San Juan Street, Room 4

Tustin, CA 92780

(714) 730-7301, ext: 314

Students Raising Their Hands In Class