Special Services

Welcome to Our Special Services Department

Special Services provides a variety of services for the Los Lunas Schools Community. Our department supports students in special education, students living with homelessness, students living in foster care, Native American Education, Medicaid in the Schools, student wellness, and educational technology. Information regarding all our programs is on the department website and can be navigated by using the side bar to the left.

Special Education

Los Lunas Schools offers a full range of school placement options to serve all district students with disabilities ages three to 21. The district's philosophy is to provide an individualized program for each student in the least restrictive environment. Programs cover the full continuum of options including support in the general education classroom, resource rooms and self-contained classes for students who need more support.  Access to special education programs is through a formal team assessment process initiated at the student's school. Once the student is determined eligible as a special education student, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team develops individual goals and makes a placement recommendation. The student's disability does not dictate program placement. Each student's placement is based on the student's individual needs.

Special Services business hours are 8:00 - 4:30 Monday thru Friday except on school holidays. Please enter Special Services through building one which is located at 343 Main Street. The Special Services phone number is 505-866-2440.

Susan D. Chavez

Superintendent

Susan D. Chavez is a proud graduate of Los Lunas Schools. She is in her 23^rd year of education, all with the Los Lunas Schools. Mrs. Chavez graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education. Her Masters of Arts Degree is in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies from the University of New Mexico. Mrs. Chavez leads the Special Services Department which includes the following: Early Childhood Education, Educational Technology, Federal Programs, Medicaid in the Schools, Social Emotional Learning, Special Education and Technology. Mrs. Chavez is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Administrators in Special Education and the International Society for Technology in Education. One of her greatest accomplishments is serving the community that she was raised in and continues to reside. In her spare time Mrs. Chavez enjoys watching sports, traveling, and spending time with her husband and family.

Katherine House

Assistant Superintendent of Special Services

Katherine House, Ed.S. serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Special Services for Los Lunas Schools, where she provides district-level oversight of Special Education, Federal Programs, Early Childhood, Counseling, Social Work, Nursing, Education Technology, and Integrated Technology. In this role, she leads systems-level initiatives focused on compliance, instructional quality, and continuous improvement to ensure all students have access to high-quality educational opportunities.

Mrs. House began her career in 1992 as a dual-certified general and special education teacher and has held a range of leadership positions, including Special Education Instructional Leader, Assistant Principal, Principal, ESSA Principal Support Specialist, and Director of Elementary Learning. Her professional experience also includes teaching preservice educators in higher education, delivering undergraduate and graduate coursework in general and special education for alternative licensure programs.  She has dedicated her entire career to serving communities in the state of New Mexico. 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Psychology, a Master of Arts in Special Education, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. Mrs. House maintains Level III-A Instructional Leader in General Education (K–8) and Special Education (PreK–12), as well as a Level III-B Administrative license (PreK–12).

Outside of work, she enjoys time with her family and her three spoiled pups.  Mrs. House is a mother of three grown children and a wife of over 30 years to her husband, Sean.

Mary McGowan

Director of Special Education

Mary McGowan is the Director of Special Education for Los Lunas Schools. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of New Mexico and a master’s degree in education from Cambridge College.  She has worked for Los Lunas Schools for 35 years. She began her career with Los Lunas Schools as a first-grade teacher at Peralta Elementary where she taught for 22 years. She was an IEP Facilitator at Ann Parish Elementary before serving as the school’s Principal.  She has spent 10 years at Special Services as a Director.  She is honored to have spent her entire career with Los Lunas Schools and is passionate about educating the students in Los Lunas.

Venessa Tregembo

Director of Support Services

Venessa Tregembo is an educator and administrator. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from New Mexico State University as well as a master’s degree from the University of New Mexico. Mrs. Tregembo is a native of Los Lunas who has been a member of the Los Lunas Schools team for the past 25 years. Most of her experience comes from the classroom where she taught Grades K, 1, 3, and 6. After earning an endorsement in Library Media she became a school Librarian. Her desire to keep learning and growing in her career led her to academic coaching and administration. After earning her endorsement in administration, she became an assistant principal, principal, and now director. She describes the greatest joy of working with Los Lunas Schools is seeing former students thriving in the community she and her family call home.

Cathy Chavez

Director of Special Programs

Cathy Chavez is the Director of Special Programs for Los Lunas Schools. She has a master’s degree from New Mexico State University in special education. She currently holds a license in special education, elementary education, and in administration. She is a Los Lunas native and graduated from Los Lunas High School. She taught in Las Cruces for five years before coming back home and to Los Lunas Schools in 2002. She currently oversees Child Find, Early Childhood Education, Native American Programs, and extended school year within the Special Services Department.

Special Services Contacts:

Mary McGowan
Director of Special Education

Danielle Trujillo
Secretary III

Karen Garcia
Secretary III

Patricia Jiron
Secretary III

Johnnie Ann McBain
Secretary I

Corynn Bisi
Senior Financial Specialist

Martin R. Jaramillo
Custodian