Canutillo welcomes new Special Ed Director

The Canutillo Independent School District this week announced the appointment of Melissa Mena as its new director of special programs and services. Mena will begin her tenure in the district on July 1.

As director of special programs and services, Mena will lead Canutillo’s special education department and oversee the management of services for students eligible for educational and supplemental support under state and federal laws.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Mena into the Canutillo family and to count on her depth of knowledge in the field of special education for the benefit of our students and families,” Superintendent Pedro Galaviz said. “Ms. Mena will inherit a department that is committed to improving the lives of children and has a strong track record of going above and beyond in preparing students for life after high school. I am confident she will embrace that charge.”

A longtime educator in the El Paso region, Mena began her career in 2003 in Laredo as a special education teacher in the United Independent School District. She later taught in the El Paso Independent School District before becoming an instructional coach and a diagnostician in that same district. Since 2021 she has served as the special education project manager for the Region 19 Education Service Center.

She is an expert in developing and implementing strategies to identify and serve special education students, providing training for educators and managing evaluation and assessment services for families.

Mena will replace Elvia Moreno, who will retire as director of special programs and services after a meaningful and successful career in Canutillo and El Paso.