Special Services Support Staff – Certificated

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Rita Parrish, Resource Teacher for The Visually Impaired
(619) 796-7522
Rita.Parrish@sweetwaterschools.org

Erika Priser, Teacher for The Visually Impaired
(619)796-7523
Erika.Priser@sweetwaterschools.org

Lorna Berliner, Orientation & Mobility Specialist for The Visually Impaired
(619) 796-7520
Lorna.Berliner@sweetwaterschools.org

We are teachers of students with visual impairments for the district. The three of us service the vision needs of the 40+ students in our district who all have a visual impairment including some who have additional disabilities. We provide instruction in Braille and the Nemeth Code (the Braille code for Math and Science), the Expanded Core Curriculum, as well as support our students in being able to access their course curriculum using a variety of accommodations, manipulatives, and assistive technology. Along with our Orientation and Mobility instructor Lorna Berliner, our goal is to make our students as independent as possible once they leave our district and regardless of the severity of their visual impairment.

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Lalaine Torres, Counselor
(619) 796-7542
Lalaine.Torres@sweetwaterschools.org

Students Counselor for LifeSchool, STEP Program and EastHills Academy

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Kristina Josafat, Resource Teacher, TPP Employment Transition Specialist 
(619) 322-5172
Kristina.Josafat@sweetwaterschools.org

TPP Employment Transition Specialist is a resource teacher position supported by a collaborative contract between SUHSD and Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). The work is focused on facilitating successful client transition into the postsecondary world of decision making, managing finances, disability disclosure, exploring career/employment options, etc. The program serves 100 clients, annually, who are identified and enrolled in the Transition Partnership Program.  The TPP Employment Transition Specialist provides guidance, opportunities, instruction and curriculum to TPP teachers to support clients in the umbrella areas of:

  • Job Exploration Counseling
  • Work-Based Learning Experiences
  • Postsecondary Counseling
  • Workplace Readiness Training
  • Self-Advocacy Training

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Adrienne Jankowski, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) MOD & MOD/SEV Programs
(619) 796-7519
Adrienne.Jankowski@sweetwaterschools.org

I have been teaching students with moderate/severe disabilities for the past 16 years ranging from elementary to transition age students.  I’ve had experience with students in the moderate, moderate/severe, and medically fragile programs.  I am also a mentor for the induction program supporting new teachers that are clearing their education specialist credential.

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Julie Barker-Rachow, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA)/ Alternative Educational Placements
(619) 796-7532
Julie.Barker-Rachow@sweetwaterschools.org

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Chelsea Johnson,  Augmentative and Alternative Communication Specialist (AAC Specialist)
(619) 795-7540
Chelsea.Johnson@sweetwaterschools.org

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Kitty Cancino, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA)
(619) 796-7500
Kitty.Cancino@sweetwaterschools.org

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Jessica Suchma, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA)
(619) 796-7500
Jessica.Suchma@sweetwaterschools.org