Department of Special Programs
The Department of Special Programs directly oversees and/or assists with the administration, coordination and implementation of a variety of school district programs and initiatives.
Programs included in the Special Programs Department
- AVID
- DATE
- Enrichment Programs
- Magnet Schools
- State Compensatory Education
- Summer School Programs
Other departments administrated under Special Programs
Gift & Talented Programs
Federal Programs
Special Programs Department Staff
The spectrum of programs provides instructional services and support for Pre-kindergarten to the twelfth grade district wide. In order to effectively lead, support, and coordinate the variety of programs, Special Programs staff work with district staff, administrators, directors, principals, teachers, parents and students as appropriate.
The staff of the Special Programs Department pledges to be positive and professional in working with district staff and the community. The Department of Special Programs fully supports and participates in the district’s collaborative decision-making process, and is committed to the pursuit of educational excellence and the accomplishment of GISD school mission and district goals.
Special Programs
Dr. Theresa N. Williams , Director of Special Programs
Christi Allen, Instructional Accountability Officer
Debra Coleman, Secretary
Jagruti Rana, Secretary Assistant
Federal Programs
Federal Programs Manager
Donna Fernandez, Grants Acquisition & Management Specialist
Cynthia Oliver, Specialist for Literacy Teachers
Sondra Reid, Coordinator of Parents as Teachers
Debra Toyer, Federal Programs Project Specialist
Marty Pargas, Federal Programs Administrative Assistant
Jonathan Armstrong, Parent Educator/Parental Involvement
Dhana Mouton, Federal Programs Project Clerk
Susan Burns, Federal Programs Bookkeeper
Martha Rojas, Federal Programs Secretary
Ivan Cantu, Title I Technology Facilitator
Brie Smith,
Title I Technology Facilitator
Gifted and Talented
Linda Phemister, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented
Janice Howard, AVID Director
Maria Decamps, College & Career Facilitator
Sally Anderson, Secretary
Department Contact Information
Phone Numbers
- Special Programs: (972) 487-3177
- Federal Programs: (972) 487-3185
- Gifted & Talented: (972) 487-3193
- Fax: (972) 485-4933
Street Address
Harris Hill Administration Building
501 S. Jupiter Road
Garland, TX 75042-7108
- Special Programs: A917@garlandisd.net
- Federal Programs: A891@garlandisd.net
- Gifted & Talented: A899@garlandisd.net
Box #
- Special Programs: 607
- Federal Programs: 608
- Gifted & Talented: 614