How to Contact Special Education

Contact Special Education Link to this section

Special Education Services Office:  415-759-2222
3045 Santiago St. 
San Francisco, CA 94116

Special Education Contact List(link is external) (scroll down for supervisor emails and school assignments)

Special Education Departments:

Not sure who to contact?  Call (415) 759-2222, fill out this form(link is external) and we will respond right away.

For more information, visit the Special Education Website 


 

WHO’s WHO in SFUSD Special Education Services Link to this section

Assistant Superintendent, Special Education Services and SELPA Director - Regina Piper

Director, Elementary Schools - Maggie Michels, michelsm@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Director, Secondary Schools - Matt Lavoie, lavoiem@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Ombudsperson - Julia Martin, martinj5@sfusd.edu(link sends email) Schedule a Meeting Today(link is external)

Data + Operations Manager - Danielle Love, loved@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Psychologist Supervisor - Cynthia Ortiz-Front, ortizfrontc@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Related Services Supervisor - Princess Tucker, tuckerp@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Related Services Supervisor - Cathy Shermanshermanc@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Compliance Supervisor - Adriana Aro, aroa@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Tier 3 Literacy PK-12+ Program Administrator - Saveth Seang, seangs@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Early Childhood/PreK Supervisor - Stephanie Richmueller , richmuellers@sfusd.edu(link sends email)
Argonne EES • Commodore Stockton EES • J Serra Annex EES • Jefferson EES • John McLaren EES •  Carver/Leola Havard EES  • Noriega EES  • Theresa Mahler EES • Tule Elk Park EES • San Miguel EES • Zaida Rodriguez EES

Elementary School Supervisor (Learning Center/RSP) - Nicole (Kee) Fricke-Pothier, fricke-pothiern@sfusd.edu(link sends email)
Alice Fong Yu • Bessie Carmichael • Claire Lilienthal • Commodore Sloat • Carver  • Cleveland • Chinese Immersion • Drew • Edwin & Anita Lee • Gordon J. Lau  • Harvey Milk •  John Yehall Chin • • Jose OrtegaJunipero Serra •  Malcolm X • Marshall  • Mission Education Center • Monroe • New Traditions • Jean Parker • Redding • Rooftop • SF Community • SF Montessori  • Sutro • Ulloa • Visitacion Valley • Webster • West Portal • *Creative Arts Charter

Elementary School Supervisor (Autism Focused & SOAR) - Gabriel Baker, bakerg@sfusd.edu(link sends email)
Alamo • Argonne • D. Feinstein • El Dorado • ER Taylor • Flynn • Garfield • Glen Park • Grattan • Jefferson • Lakeshore • McKinley  Miraloma • Rosa Parks • Sherman • Sunset • Starr King • Tenderloin • Yick Wo

Cross Categorical Elementary Supervisor- Sheree Catingubcatingubs@sfusd.edu(link sends email)
Alvarado  Bret Harte • Bryant  BVHM • Chavez  Clarendon   Cobb •  FS Key   ​​​​​​​Guadalupe Hillcrest • Huerta  ​​​​​ John Muir • Lafayette • Lawton  • Longfellow •  McCoppin  Moscone  Paul Revere  Peabody • Sanchez • Sheridan • Spring Valley • Sunnyside • Stevenson

Middle Schools, Supervisor - Sara Mirelesmireless@sfusd.edu(link sends email)
AP Giannini •  Aptos • Everett • Francisco •  Hoover  James Denman • James Lick  Martin Luther King • Marina • Presidio  Roosevelt  Vis Valley  Willie Brown  *Gateway Middle School

High Schools Supervisor - Andy Chung, chungw@sfusd.edu(link sends email)
Asawa • Balboa • Burton • Galileo • June Jordan • Lincoln • Lowell • Marshall • Mission • O'Connell • SF International • The Academy • Wallenberg • Washington • Downtown • Independence • Ida B. Wells •  C.A.R.E Bayview • C.A.R.E Buchanan • Youth Chance • McAuley CEEP • Civic Center 7-12 • Hilltop 7-12 • El Camino Alternativo • Woodside (YGC) 7-12 • *Gateway High School• *Life Learning Academy

Transition Program Supervisor - Kara Schinella, schinellak@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Special Education Psychological Services Supervisor- Andi Hilinski, hilinskia@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Non Public Schools (NPS) Supervisor - Chad Schimke, schimkec@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Non Public Schools (NPS) Program Administrator - Alexia Bogdis, bogdisa@sfusd.edu(link sends email) 

Private/Parochial Program Administrator - Sara Koss, kosss@sfusd.edu(link sends email)

Special Education Ombudsperson Link to this section

Contact the Ombudsperson: 

Middle aged caucasian woman with long brown hair with a slight smile, wearing a blue and white blouse and a gold locket.

Julia Martin
Special Education Ombudsperson
555 Franklin St
Email: martinj5@sfusd.edu
Cell Phone: 415-319-4811
Click here(link is external) to make an appointment

What is an Ombudsperson?

The word Ombudsman comes from a Swedish word that means “trusted representative.” The word has come to mean someone who assists consumers or citizens who are experiencing problems with corporations or government organizations. Our office is a member of the US Ombudsman Association and the International Ombudsman Association.

What Does the SFUSD Special Education Ombudsperson Do?

The SFUSD Special Education Ombudsperson is the family, community and staff liaison for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).  The Ombudsperson's office can: 

  • Assist parents and guardians in navigating Special Education Services when they have concerns about their chid's special education services.
  • Provides an independent, confidential resource for students, families, employees, and community members, offering informal help to resolve concerns, problems, complaints, and other special education related issues.
  • Promote inclusion of all students, especially those with disabilities during Inclusive Schools Week. 
  • Provide training to SFUSD and San Francisco community stakeholders, such as Navigating Special Education Services, IEP 101, Engaging and Empowering SFUSD Families, Effective Communication between Special Education Families and Educators, and other issues related to special education services and families.   
  • Address the need for educational surrogate assignment (the Ombudsperson is the educational surrogate coordinator for the district, which matches students in need of representation with volunteers to help advocate for their educational needs.)

Ombudsperson support is impartial, confidential and free of charge to all SFUSD families and staff and often leads to resolutions before legal action is needed.  If needed, translation/interpretation can be provided.

The vision of the Office of Ombudsperson is to ensure children with disabilities receive all services and supports needed to benefit from public education by fostering an environment where collaboration and cooperation exist between parents, staff and administration.

How to Request Support: Link to this section

Families and staff can contact the ombudsperson via email at martinj5@sfusd.edu or via phone at 415-319-4811. Drop in office hours are available at 555 Franklin Street Monday - Thursday from 3-5pm. Click here(link is external) to make an appointment.

This page was last updated on August 27, 2024