Bio: Jennifer Ramirez is the Executive Director of Special Programs in Belton ISD in Texas over special education, 504 and dyslexia. In her 17 years in the district, she has served students and families as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, Special Education Coordinator, Director of Special Education and Assistant Principal before taking the Executive Director position. Before Belton, Jennifer taught general education and special education in Temple, Texas.
Jennifer’s journey advocating for people with disabilities started as a teen when she rarely saw her sister, Allison, who has an intellectual disability, at their high school. She wondered why her sister was never in the same area as her and her friends in the morning, at lunch or in any school-wide activities. Her parents did not know what questions to ask about school services or how to secure options for Allison to even have post-secondary goals. As a special educator and administrator,
Jennifer works to train and lead others to make inclusive practices a priority both at school and in the community.