Palo Alto School District Announces Two New Special Education Administrators

News from the Palo Alto Unified School District:

Superintendent Dr. Glenn “Max” McGee is pleased to announce he will recommend to the Board of Education the appointment of Constance Dixon-Sorogane and Sabrina Yacoub as Special Education Coordinators at the August 26, 2014, Board meeting.

Ms. Yacoub shared, “I am thrilled to join this dedicated team of professionals and serve the wonderful students and families in this district.”

Ms. Sabrina Yacoub comes to PAUSD from Envision Schools, which manages charter schools throughout the Bay Area, where she was the Vice President of Special Education Programs and Director of Special Education from 2009-2014. Simultaneously, she served as a Special Education Academy Mentor for the El Dorado County of Education Charter SELPA in Placerville. She served as Special Education Coordinator for the Edison Charter Academy in San Francisco from 2006 to 2009.

Before stepping into Special Education administration, she taught special education, art, and English for language learners to elementary and middle school students in the Hayward, Berkeley, and Oakland Unified School Districts and Kalamazoo Public School District in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She earned her BA in Fine Arts from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and her MA in Special Education from California State University, San Francisco.

Ms. Dixon-Sorogane commented, “It’s a pleasure to join this high-achieving and child-centered school district and to provide in-depth support to our students who receive special education services.”

Ms. Dixon-Sorogane joins PAUSD from the River Delta Unified School District where she served as the Coordinator of Special Education Services. Prior to being a Special Education Coordinator, Ms. Dixon-Sorogane supported students as a Special Day Class teacher, Assistant Principal, Resource Specialist, and Learning Specialist with a variety of Sacramento and Bay Area school districts.

Through her 20+ years of working in education, she has focused on providing professional development for general education teachers on crafting curriculum accommodations and modifications and implementing academic counseling for students. Ms. Dixon-Sorogane earned her BA in Journalism from San Jose State University and her MA in Special Education and Learning Disabilities from Santa Clara University. She is currently working on her Ed.D. at California State University, Sacramento.

Dr. McGee commented, “Adding these two strong, experienced educators to our Special Education team strengthens our ability to provide service and support to students and staff. Helping all students attain their personal success is our main goal in PAUSD.”

Photo: From left, Constance Dixon-Sorogane and Sabrina Yacoub.