Special Education

  • The purpose of the Special Education program at Benavidez Elementary is to minimize the impact of a student's disability while maximizing opportunities for the student to fully participate in his or her natural environment.

     

    A student suspected of having a disability is referred for an evaluation by a team of specialists. This multi-disciplinary team, which may consist of an educational diagnostician, school psychologist, speech and language pathologist, and other specialists, conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the student to determine eligibility for special education and related services.

     

    Eligible students with disabilities receive specialized instruction in the least restrictive environment with typically developing age level peers for the maximum extent of their day, as appropriate. Related services such as assistive technology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, music therapy, counseling as a related service, and speech and language therapy are provided for eligible students to access grade level curriculum, and to participate in their specifically designed educational program. 

    The SPED Department and all teachers at Benavidez are committed to the success of all students, regardless of disability.

     Teachers & Staff

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    Jonas Mendoza

    SpEd Director & Resource/Inclusion

    Jonas Mendoza brings a wealth of experience to the role of SpEd Director, having been an educator since 2001. He has dedicated over 15 years of his career to serving HISD. Prior to joining the Benavidez team, Mr. Mendoza made significant contributions as a Life Skills teacher at Wesley Elementary from 2008 to 2014, and later as a PALS teacher at Fonwood ECC from 2015 to 2018.

    His educational journey is marked by academic excellence, as he graduated Magna Cum Laude with Bachelor's degrees in both Elementary and Secondary Education from St. Michael's College in 1995. Furthermore, he successfully completed the academic requirements for a Master of Arts in Special Education at the Philippine Normal University in 2008.

    Beyond his dedication to education, Mr. Mendoza possesses a creative side, with hobbies that include painting, drawing, and sketching. 
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    Ana Bible

    PSI TA

     

    Ana Bible has served HISD school children the past 10 years as a Teacher Assistant at Benavidez Elementary.  Prior to beginning her service at Benavidez, she worked as a sales associate in electronics at Walmart. 

    Ms. Bible was born in El Salvador where she pursued a degree in ESL at the Universidad Francisco Gavidia.  For 10 years, she worked as a teacher in a privately-owned PK-3 school in El Salvador. 

    During her free time, Ms. Bible loves to read and spend time with her son.  She describes herself as an optimistic individual with an attitude of service to others.  She believes that teamwork makes the dream work.

     

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    Dany Restani De Ojeda

    PSI TA

     

    Dany Restani De Ojeda has served HISD school children for the last 2 years as a Teacher Assistant in the PSI Class at Benavidez Elementary. 

    Ms. De Ojeda graduated from the Universidad Pedagogico el Libertador in Maracay, Venezuela in 1984 with a degree in Spanish and Literature.  Before coming to Benavidez, De Ojeda taught in Middle and High school in Venezuela for 26 years, where she received Teacher of the Year Awards in 1993, 1998 and 2005. 

    Ms. De Ojeda describes herself as a happy and passionate person.  Her hobbies include knitting and cross stitching

     

     

     

    CONTACT INFORMATION

    Benavidez Elementary     713-773-6275 (direct)

    6262 Gulfton St.             713-778-3350 (school)

    Houston, TX 77081         713-773-3358 (fax)