ED&D Podcast: Episode 4 Guests

Deborah Escalante Montoya, Ed.D. is the Sr. Director for the Imperial County SELPA.  Dr. Montoya has over 21 years of experience working with and leading programs for students with disabilities. 

Dr. Montoya is a strong advocate for students with disabilities, and English language learners. She believes in the important work of educators, and the array of opportunities they can provide to ensure equitable & accessible learning environments for each student. 

Dr. Montoya has worked as a School Psychologist, Principal, Director of Special Education & Support Services prior to her role as SELPA Sr. Director. At present, she is also leading the SELPA Content Lead work: Improving Outcomes for English learners with Disabilities, in partnership with the California Department of Education and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence.

Lupita Olguin-Rubio is a Coordinator at Imperial County SELPA. Ms. Olguin-Rubio has over 20 years of experience as a curriculum coordinator providing professional development on literacy and language development for English learners at the Imperial County Office of Education.

Ms. Olguin-Rubio believes that language is power and that every student is entitled to have his or her voice heard. She is passionate about this philosophy and imparts this zeal in all her projects. Ms. Olguin-Rubio operates with a systems lens and recognizes that as individuals we are all change agents and have the ability to “be the change we want to see in the world”.

Ms. Olguin-Rubio has worked as a K-6 Educator, Site Director for the California Reading and Literature Project, Title III EL Specialist and English Learner Curriculum Coordinator. At present she is part of Dr. Deborah E. Montoya’s SELPA Content Lead work: Improving Outcomes for English Learners with Disabilities.

Vanessa Lopez is a Coordinator of Inclusionary Practices at Imperial County SELPA. Ms. Lopez has over 20 years of experience educating English learners with disabilities in resource and self-contained classroom settings.

Ms. Lopez enjoys working towards shining a light on the myriad assets English learners, students with disabilities, and those dually identified contribute to our education system and community. She believes in being a change agent and an advocate for all students and in the commitment and zeal educators in the field bring to their classroom setting on a daily basis. 

Ms. Lopez has worked as a K-6 Special Education teacher, English language development coach, Resource Teacher, and Academic Support Teacher. She is a Google Level I certified educator and Assistive Technology support provider. At present she is part of Dr. Deborah E. Montoya’s SELPA Content Lead work: Improving Outcomes for English Learners with Disabilities.