Laurie G. Rodriguez

Executive Director of Special Programs

Laurie joined Dickinson ISD in 2006 as the director. Her undergraduate degree is in secondary education from Oklahoma State University and her master's degree is in educational psychology from University of Houston, with post-graduate studies in educational statistics at Texas A&M and the superintendency at UT-Tyler.

Laurie taught general and special education before becoming an educational diagnostician in 2000 and then moving into special education leadership in 2003. In 2013, Laurie was appointed by Governor Perry to serve on the Continuing Advisory Committee for Special Education; her term will expire in 2021.

Laurie is married with 2 daughters, 2 step-sons, 1 granddaughter and 3 rescue dogs and 1 rescue cat.  

Laura S. Batson

Coordinator of Special Programs Compliance

Laura joined Dickinson ISD in 1997 as a special education teacher and color guard instructor with the Gator Band.   Her undergraduate degree is from West Texas A&M University and her Masters degree is in educational administration from University of Houston - Clear Lake.

Laura has spent her entire career focused on helping students and their families reach their highest potential.  She has also been a behavior teacher, ARD committee facilitator and part of the leadership team in DISD for many years. 

Laura is married and has 1 step-son, 1 daughter-in law, 2 grandsons, 2 dogs along with cows and chickens.

Maggie Burk

 Coordinator of Evaluation & Related Services

Maggie joined Dickinson ISD in 2000 as a licensed specialist in school psychology. Her undergraduate degree is in psychology and her master's degree is in specialist in school psychology, both degrees are from University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Maggie's entire career has been devoted to school psychology. She volunteers for the American Red Cross in the area of Disaster Mental Health. Maggie is a trainer for AS+K to Save a Life and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Maggie is married with 1 son, 3 daughters, 3 grandchildren and 3 rescue dogs.  

Kimberly Davidson

Coordinator of Special Programs Instruction

Kim is a proud 1990 Dickinson High School graduate. After attending college to obtain her undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies at University of Houston-Clear Lake, Kim returned to Dickinson and began her teaching career as a 4th grade teacher. She then earned her master's degree in educational administration, also from University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Kim taught general and special education before becoming an ARDC facilitator, associate principal, and coordinator. 

Kim is the proud mother of one son, one daughter and grandmother to one granddaughter.

Team Leader Profile:

Cephus Scott joined Dickinson ISD in 2019 as a Certified Teacher (Special Education). Cephus graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in social science. He has 22 years of certified behavior experience, 15 of which have been in education and 7 as a facility supervisor at both a brain injury rehab facility and a psychiatric facility. He previously served as Director of Resident Advocate for people living in low-income housing and Section 8 in 28 states. Last school year he was the ABCD teacher at McAdams Junior High and is excited to share his passion for behavior management and relationship building with students at a district level.

Team Leader Profile

Karen Hollen, District Dyslexia Specialist, is new to Dickinson ISD. She has 20 plus years of experience including classroom teaching, reading intervention, instructional coaching and campus leadership. Karen received a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Master in Reading Education and post Masters certification in Leadership from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She strongly believes that education needs to prepare students to lead a choice filled life that is not limited by weakness but defined by their strengths.

Click HERE to go to the Dyslexia Home Page.

JoEllen Allen serves as the district's homeless liaison.  Her office number is 281-229-7421.  

Jo Ellen graduated from University of Houston Clear Lake with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has worked as a licensed social worker in mental health and school settings. She has been working at Dickinson ISD in the role of District Social Worker since 2008.

Click HERE to go the Homeless Information main page.

The Dickinson ISD Occupational and Physical Therapy team supports IEP learning needs for students in several areas, including:

• Academic achievement,
• Self-care,
• Mobility
• Assistive Technology,
• Social participation

OTs and PTs operate in all school routines, including recess, classroom, and cafeteria time.

Team Leader Profile:

Tanya Jensen joined Dickinson ISD in 2006 as a Physical Therapist and team leader.  Tanya graduated from the University of Puget Sound in with a master's degree in Physical Therapy. Prior to coming to DISD, Tanya worked in pediatric out-patient, orthopedics, ECI and at Shriner's Burn Hospital.

In her spare time, Tanya enjoys teaching group fitness classes and caring for her horses.

Her goal for her team is to make sure students receive outstanding occupational and physical therapy to assist in reaching educational and mobility goals.

Please refer to the Gator Wellness Page for a full description of the DISD Social Emotional Learning Project.

Click HERE to access the Gator Wellness page.

Amy Cmaidalka is the new Social Emotional Learning Specialist for Dickinson ISD.

Phone:  281-229-7662

Description of School Health Advisory Committee

From the Texas Department of State Health Services:

A School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is a group appointed by the school district to serve at the district level. Members of the SHAC come from different areas of the community and from within the school district. The majority of members must be parents who are not employed by the district. Texas law (Texas Education Code, Title 2, Subtitle F, Chapter 28, Subchapter A, §28.004) requires the establishment of a SHAC for every school district. SHACs are required to meet at least four times each year. 

SHACs assist the districts in ensuring that local community values are reflected in health education instruction. Additionally, SHACs play an important role in strengthening the connection between health and learning. They can help parents and community stakeholders reinforce the knowledge and skills children need to stay healthy for a lifetime.

JoEllen Allen, MSW   281-229-7421

Jo Ellen graduated from University of Houston Clear Lake with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She earned her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has worked as a licensed social worker in mental health and school settings. She has been working at Dickinson ISD in the role of District Social Worker since 2008. 

Jamie Harbuck, M.Ed.    281-229-6643

Jamie graduated from Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches with a Bachelor’s degree in Education for the Hearing Impaired.  She earned her Master’s degree in Counseling from University of Houston Clear Lake.  She has taught Special Education PPCD, Kindergarten, 1^st grade and 6^th grade.  She was an elementary counselor for 4 years before taking on the role of district counselor/social worker.

About Speech Therapy:

The Speech Therapy team provides speech therapy in accordance with the best practices model advocated by ASHA and TSHA.   Each student who receives speech therapy has been evaluated by a speech pathologist and determined to have an educational need for speech therapy services.  The ARD committee determines the student's goals and therapy schedule.

Team Leader Profile:

Tonia Wilson joined Dickinson ISD in 2002 as a speech pathologist and then became the team leader in 2004.

Tonia graduated from Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches with a Master's degree in Speech Pathology. Her background includes serving in the Army Reserve and Texas National Guard, attaining the rank of Captain before becoming a Speech Pathologist.

Her goal for her team is to help students make progress and become more effective, independent and functional communicators.

Kim Davidson

281-229-6075

Coordinator of Special Programs Instruction

Kim supervises special education instruction for DISD. Her background includes teaching general and special education, serving as an ARDC facilitator, and as an assistant and associate principal.

Karen Hollen

 281-229-7923

Special Programs Curriculum Specialist

Karen  joined Dickinson ISD in 2022 as a Special Programs Instructional Specialist.  Karen provides instructional support and program guidance for Dyslexia and other special education instructional areas.