Staff

Phone: (713) 640-3754

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

M.Ed. in Educational Administration Grand Canyon University M.A. in History University of Houston Clear Lake B.A. in History University of Houston Clear Lake Special Education EC-12 Texas Education Agency English as a Second Language EC-12 Texas Education Agency Generalist, 4-8 Texas Education Agency History, 8-12 Texas Education Agency Social Studies Composite Texas Education Agency Principal Texas Education Agency

Mr. Nicholas F. Smith, M.Ed., M.A.

Mr. Smith is the Department Chairperson for the Special Education Department at Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success. In this role, Mr. Smith supervises teachers, develops and facilitates ARD meetings, and develops Individual Education Plans for Special Education students, as well as various other duties. Mr. Smith also helps with the other Special Populations programs and acts as the Campus Testing Coordinator for the 6^th-12^th Grade STEM and Early College High School campus.

Mr. Smith spent most of his life in the area where Raul Yzaguirre is located, graduating from Milby High School in 1992. After exploring several areas of work, Mr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Arts in History in 2000 and began teaching in the 2000-2001 school year. After several years of teaching, Mr. Smith returned to school, and in 2007, he graduated with a Master of Arts in Educational Administration. He continued teaching, taking on increasing leadership roles in schools. In 2014, Mr. Smith earned a Master of Arts in History. His current certifications include Special Education Early Childhood to 12^th grade, English as a Second Language Early Childhood to 12^th grade, 4^th to 8^th grade Generalist, 8^th – 12^th History, 8^th -12^th grade Social Studies Composite, and Principal. Mr. Smith teaches a Dual Credit Class at RYSS, and is looking forward to continuing to help improve the school and create a successful Early College High School.

You may reach Mr. Smith at (713) 640-3754 or smithn@tejanocenter.org.

Be sure to scroll down to meet the rest of our
Special Education Department staff.

Special Education Teachers

Ms. Chun Chu Email Ms. Chu	Ms. Jasmine Lee Email Ms. Lee	Ms. Wendi Vinklarek Email Ms. Vinklarek
Ms. Chu currently serves all 7th through 12th grade students who require special education services in Math, as well as serves as the Special Eduction Transitions Specialist.  This is her first year with RYSS.	Ms. Lee has served in the role of Literacy Coach and Intervention for two years at RYSS. Currently, she serves all 7th through 12th grade students who require special education services in ELA, as well as teaches a single session of 7th grade ELA.	Ms. Vinklarek brings her college-level teaching experience to the special education department and serves students who require special eduation services in Kindergarten through 5th grade in all subjects, as well as 6th graders in both reading and mathematics.  This is her first year with RYSS.

Special Education Support Personnel

Ms. Amada Hernandez Email Ms. Hernandez PLEASE NOTE:  This email address temporarily redirects to Mr. Smith.	Ms. Martha Hernandez Email Ms. Hernandez	Mr. Claudio Esquivel Email Mr. Esquivel