DR. LESLIE HERNANDEZ
Stockton
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with extensive experience at Sacramento City Unified School District, excelling in program management and staff supervision. Proven track record in enhancing special education services through effective stakeholder collaboration and conflict resolution. Skilled in budget management and fostering a positive climate for learning and communication among diverse teams.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Sacramento City Unified School District
Sacramento
01.2020 - Current
- Coordinated with Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and SELPA Director to implement settlement agreements, hearing orders, and corrective actions from state complaints and compliance reviews; contributed to development and implementation of SELPA improvement plans.
- Supervise, evaluate, and hold accountable the performance and professionalism of assigned staff; interview and select employees, and recommend transfers, reassignments, terminations, and disciplinary actions; and plan, coordinate, and arrange for appropriate training of assigned staff.
- Facilitated communication and collaboration among school staff, families, and community stakeholders to enhance understanding and support for special education initiatives.
- Communicates and collaborate with other administrators, District personnel, and outside organizations to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts, and exchange information; model District standards of ethics and professionalism.
Coordinator of Educational Services
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
Fairfield
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Coordinated in-service training and professional development for staff, enhancing staff capabilities in special education.
- Supported Assistant Directors, Directors, and site administrators in evaluating and analyzing special education program efficacy.
- Planned, organized, and monitored district special education programs, assisting with appropriate student placements.
- Support sites in the identification, evaluation, and placement of students referred to special education.
- Assisted in implementing special programs and participated as an IEP team member to support schools in establishing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Support teachers and administrators in processes associated with special education services.
Program Specialist for Special Needs
West Contra Costa Unified School District
San Pablo
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Planned, organized, and monitored district special education programs, ensuring appropriate student placements.
- Supported sites in identifying, evaluating, and placing students referred to special education, facilitating access to necessary resources.
- Assisted in implementing special programs and collaborated as IEP team member to support schools in establishing Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
Program Specialist for Special Needs
New Haven Unified School District
Union City
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Coordinated appropriate placement within NHUSD. | Established IEP meetings agendas and facilitated IEP meetings.
- Assisted staff in developing IEPs, resolving issues, and creating actionable plans for student support.
- Evaluated program effectiveness designed to meet student needs and evaluated student progress.
- Oversaw enrollment process and coordinated in-services and professional development courses for special education teachers to enhance instructional strategies.
Program Specialist for Special Needs
Santa Cruz City School District
Santa Cruz
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Acted as liaison for County Office of Education. | Orchestrated program development, staff supervision, in-services, special education staff recruitment, compliance coordination, facilitation of IEP meetings, curriculum development, incoming referrals, and transitions.
- Coordinated program activities to enhance student engagement and support learning initiatives.
- Developed training materials for staff to improve instructional practices and student services.
- Facilitated workshops for educators on curriculum development and best teaching methods.
Program Specialist for Support Services
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Temecula
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Orchestrated IEP meetings and consulted on referrals, assessments, and identification of special needs candidates.
- Recruited special education staff, organized in-service trainings, and extended school year initiatives.
- Planned programs and provided services. | Evaluated program effectiveness through assessments and coordinated curricular resources.
Program Specialist for Special Needs
Sacramento City Unified School District
Sacramento
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Observed and assisted resource teachers, special day class teachers, service providers, administrators, and general education teachers. | Implemented professional development training.
- Planned programs and coordinated curricular resources to evaluate and improve special needs program effectiveness.
- Coordinated program activities and resources for student engagement initiatives.
- Developed training materials for staff on educational best practices.
- Facilitated workshops to enhance communication among educators and families.
Resource Specialist Teacher
Paramount Unified School District
Paramount
01.2000 - 01.2005
- Provided instruction and services to pupils with IEPs. | Reviewed and recommended revisions of IEPs based on daily student progress monitoring.
- Evaluated student progress, collaborating with IEP team to recommend tailored programming and placement adjustments.
- Processed initial referrals and assessed special education candidates, ensuring appropriate identification and support.
Special Day Class Teacher
Norwalk-LA Mirada Unified School District
Norwalk
01.1996 - 01.2000
- Evaluated student progress, modified curriculum, and provided behavioral support to enhance learning outcomes. | Reviewed and revised IEPs to ensure alignment with student needs.
- Coordinated partial-day student participation in general education classrooms to promote inclusion and social integration.
- Developed individualized education plans for diverse learner needs.
- Collaborated with parents to discuss student progress and challenges.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to support classroom environment.
Education
Ph.D. - Special Education
Master of Arts - Educational Administration
Master of Liberal Arts - Special Education
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies
Skills
- Special education regulations
- Program management
- Budget management
- Financial oversight
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Staff supervision
- Recruitment support
- Microsoft Word and Excel
- Communication skills
- Presentation skills
- Team leadership
- Conflict management
- Communication skills
- Communication skills
- Recruitment support
Affiliations
Member, Association of California Schools of Administrators (ACSA)
Accomplishments
- Excelled as Special Day Class Teacher, Resource Specialist Teacher, Program Specialist, Secondary Curriculum Committee Chair, during 2+ year tenure in field.
- Developed classroom teacher training programs including Differentiated Classroom Instruction, Common Core Standards, English Language Development, and Response to Intervention, Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports, Instructional Aides roles, Educational Benefit, Writing Defensible Goals, Unpacking Standards, and IEP's.
- Facilitated service training modules at multiple schools on SST processes, 504 Plans, Special Education Laws, related policies and procedures.
Credentials Training
- Commission on Teacher Credentialing, Sacramento, CA, 1/00 - 1/31, Multiple Subject, Professional Educational Specialist, Educational Administration
- Fagan, Friedman & Fulfrost, Concord, CA, 01/09 - 12/25, Special Education Law Updates
- Every Child Counts Symposium, Anaheim, CA, 01/11 - 12/24, Special Education Updates
- Facilitation Skills Training, Riverside, CA, 01/19, Facilitation Skills Training
References
Available upon request
Education Leader Administrator - Leadership Training
- Results-driven, enterprising professional with 2+ years of outstanding experience in using effective educational leadership to positively affect student, staff, and program performance.
- Served in strategic roles driving operations of educational programs including special education instruction, IEP planning and review, staff development and training, curriculum development, instructional strategies, policy implementation and program oversight.
- Ability to use the goal-setting process to analyze performance data, identify improvement areas, and implement action plans; highly organized self-starter with successful ability to prioritize to complete multiple requirements.
- Motivated leader with strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal abilities.
- Possesses true understanding that a solid relationship between students, teachers, parents, support staff, educational leaders, and community stakeholders is the true component of a student's academic and personal success.
Professional Highlights
- Service Provider Evaluations
- Staff Training & Development
- Program Planning
- Policy Development
- Compliance Management
- Program Evaluations
- Executive Presentations
- Service Training Modules
- Program Implementation
- Curriculum Development
- Resource Coordination
- Special Education Laws/Regulations
- Coordination of Improvement Plans
- Individualized Education Plans (IEP)
- Behavior Analysis & Special Education
Timeline
Administrator of Teaching and Learning - Sacramento City Unified School District
01.2020 - Current
Coordinator of Educational Services - Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
01.2018 - 01.2020
Program Specialist for Special Needs - West Contra Costa Unified School District
01.2015 - 01.2019
Program Specialist for Special Needs - New Haven Unified School District
01.2012 - 01.2015
Program Specialist for Special Needs - Santa Cruz City School District
01.2010 - 01.2012
Program Specialist for Support Services - Temecula Valley Unified School District
01.2008 - 01.2010
Program Specialist for Special Needs - Sacramento City Unified School District
01.2005 - 01.2008
Resource Specialist Teacher - Paramount Unified School District
01.2000 - 01.2005
Special Day Class Teacher - Norwalk-LA Mirada Unified School District
01.1996 - 01.2000
Walden University - Ph.D., Special Education
California State University Dominguez Hills - Master of Arts, Educational Administration
California State University Dominguez Hills - Master of Liberal Arts, Special Education
California State University Dominguez Hills - Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies