El Monte High Teacher Recognized for Supporting Special Education

EL MONTE – El Monte High School special education teacher Raelene Felix has been recognized with the Exceptional Special Education Teacher Award by the West San Gabriel Valley Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) consortium for her tireless advocacy on behalf of special education and for her dedication to her students’ academic and socioemotional success.

“Every day, I am motivated by our students who face tremendous obstacles, but continue to come to school ready to challenge themselves and persevere,” Felix said. “It is an honor to accept the award and a privilege to prepare our students for future success.”

Felix works with students in the Career Skills Prep Academy (CSPA), established in 2014 at El Monte High School to assist students with mild to moderate disabilities who are not on track to earn a diploma and are not meeting core standards.

The program serves 11th- and 12th-grade students from across the District, providing work experience and community service opportunities to support their post-secondary futures. The program focuses on functional skills, such as academics, independent living, self-advocacy and consumer math.

“The CSPA program has helped improve my life by helping me be more responsible, become a better reader and listener, and be more active and communicative with people I may not know,” former student Cody Turcato said. “It’s helped me to keep moving forward and never give up.”

After completing the CSPA program, students may continue their education at the Adult Transition Center.

“Ms. Felix is a perfect example of an educator who goes above and beyond to make students and their success her No. 1 priority, and we are honored to have her be a valuable member of our team,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said.

PHOTO CAPTION:

101218_EMUHSD_FELIX: El Monte High School special education teacher Raelene Felix was honored with the Exceptional Special Education Teacher Award by SELPA. She is pictured with instructional aide Gabrielle Almazan, left, and former students William Hunter and Damian Lomeli.