Dear Gold Ridge Families,                                                                                            

My name is Charissa Guillen and I will be your child’s case manager for their Individual Education Plan (IEP) for the 2022-2023 school year. This is my 7th year in the district, but my 10th year teaching special education support classes for middle school children, grades 6-8. I spent the last six years at Sutter Middle School, and wanted a change of scenery and to spend more time getting to work with younger children. 

I have two teaching credentials- a Multiple Subject and Special Ed. Mild/Moderate credential from CSU Sacramento. I also have my Master's Degree in Special education from CSU Sacramento as well. In addition, I have Math certifications that allow me to teach math, and I have an Autism certificate from Brandman University. In June 2021, I finished my administrative credential from Sacramento County Office of Education. I was also the Vice Principal for the Summer Learning Recovery Program at Sutter Middle School in 2021, and most recently was the Extended School Year (ESY) principal for June 2022. 

I will be pulling students for various academic groups throughout the week, and will hopefully be able to dedicate Fridays to IEP's. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have. Feel free to include me in emails sent to their primary teacher as well, so I can remain in communication with everyone. I not only manage student IEPs, but I will also be running the Student Council and co-chairing the school's Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)  Committee. 

In addition to academic skills,  I will be spending a lot of time building activities and fun things into lessons to help promote a positive and safe learning environment, and to help build relationships. It is important that I build trust and form positive connections with my students. I promise I will support your children to the best of my abilities. I will always be available for questions and will do my best to respond in a timely manner. Sometimes, I do not always know the answer and will seek help from their primary teacher, which may reflect a longer response time. 

Thank you for your support and I look forward to working with your child!! My contact information will be provided below. The best way to reach me is via e-mail because I can check it and respond even while I have students or other adults in my room, so it is easy to keep information private and confidential with e-mails. I am happy to chat on the phone as well. Just provide me with a suitable time frame and number at which to reach you and I will return your call as soon as possible. Thanks so much! Looking forward to meeting all of you in the near future!

Sincerely,

Charissa Guillen
Special Education Teacher, M.A.                          E-Mail: cguillen@fcusd.org, Phone: 916-294-9140