ALL MDUSD Schools may be closed but we’re still HERE TO HELP!

As we are all overwhelmed trying to navigate and manage our new normal of working from home, school from home, online classroom and meetings I want you all to know that your resources of support are still here for you and ready to support you in any way possible.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time.

Hilary Shen, MDUSD's Parent Liaison is available via phone at (925) 207-2200 or email shenh@mdusd.org to help you through these challenging and ever changing times. 

Resource Parents offer parent-to-parent support, click here for the page to direct you to the English and Spanish link to their contact information or contact the Parent Liaison for their email address.  Please be patient as responses may take longer to respond due to current circumstances. 

Check out the MDUSD Website for updated information at mdusd.org. 

Enjoy your spring break and a well deserved break from online at home school work and look for new articles daily starting April 13^th.  Have any ideas of ways to support families or information to share, please let us know.  Register to receive updates via email from the CAC Blog at mtdiablo.sped.blogspot.com.

Get to Know Program Specialist Jessica Garcia

1.  Tell us a little bit about your job

I am the Program Specialist for all of the Mental Health Collaborative Programs within the district, as well as, Seneca NPS and Marchus County Program.  I also lead the Triage Team. Working with the MHC Programs entail attending IEPs, providing guidance to the teachers and staff, collaborating with multiple community agencies, and most of all working towards providing quality mental health programs within the district that serve a multitude of student needs.

2.  What inspired you to get into the field?

Since I was young I wanted to teach and when I attended college for my undergrad in teaching a counselor recommended I complete the requirements for Special Education.  Through the fieldwork I was required to complete I was interested in the field immediately.  Once I was teaching in my own classroom I began working with students who had emotional needs and realized that the programs the districts provided for them needed improving and attention. That is when I began to gain more experience in the specific field and really started to be motivated by the students and families that I worked with to better our schools.

3.  What is your professional goal? Have you reached it?

My professional goal was to work in a leadership role in Special Education while working in the community that I live and raise my child in, so I guess with this new position I have achieved it! It's time to set another goal for myself now!

4.  What do you like best about your job?

Other then the families and students always keeping me on my toes, I have loved the people that I am working with in MDUSD.  I feel that there is a level of professionalism and genuine interest in the work that I love. Everyone has been very helpful and welcoming to me. It has all been greatly appreciated.

5.  If you could change anything about your job/services you provide what would it be?

To balance my time more efficiently.  It is a common theme among educators that there is not enough time in the day and still is true in this position. I am hoping that by next school year when things are not as new I can create a more efficient schedule for myself.

6.  What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?

I have a son that is six months old so right now any time I get outside of work is focusing on my new family and our time together.  I love to be outdoors and travel as well so any opportunity I get for that I embrace!

Get to Know Program Specialist Hunt Lin

1. Tell us a little bit about your job

I'm the Program Specialist for 8 elementary schools (El Monte, Hidden Valley, Monte Gardens, Mountain View, Pleasant Hill Elem, Sequoia Elem, Westwood and Wren), two middle (El Dorado and Sequoia Middle), one high school (Concord High), alternative high school programs (Summit/Nueva Vista), and Contra Costa County Office of Education programs (Mauzy, Los Cerros and Green Valley Elem). I support the teachers and administrators at these schools by providing them trainings, consultation and attending complicated IEP meetings.

1. What inspired you to get into the field?

Right after I graduated from UC Irvine, I got a job as a classroom aide in a special education school. I really enjoyed working with children with exceptional needs and continue to pursue in a career to help children and families.

1. What is your professional goal?  Have you reached it? 

My professional goal is to either become a professor at an University or to become a SELPA director. I have not reached the goal yet. My main focus right now is to be a loving husband to my wife and a great father to my 22 months old son.

1. What do you like best about your job?

Working with my colleagues to help students and families.

1. If you could change anything about your job/services you provide what would it be? 

I really enjoy training principals, teachers and aides and I wish I had more time and opportunities to do this.

1. What are your hobbies/interests outside of work? 

I love spending time with my family.