About us

Daniel Smirniotis is the Program Manager for the Assistive Technology Department.  Dan leads the assistive technology team by: ensuring efficient operation; the department stays within budget; coordinating with other district programs; and by ensuring staff are complying with federal, state and district laws and policies.  

Maite Rodriguez is one of the Assistive Technology Specialists for the Sweetwater Union High School District. With a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from San Diego State University she began teaching bilingual math and science in 1998. She left the SUHSD to work in alternative settings. She has earned her special education mild/moderate credential while working at the Charter School of San Diego. Mrs. Rodriguez returned to the Sweetwater Union High School District as a special education mild/mod teacher at Olympian High School. She has earned her Assistive Technology Applications Certification from the University of Northridge. 

Sara Gallagher is a speech-language pathologist in the Assistive Technology Department with a focus on students who use augmentative and alternative communication. She has worked as an SLP across a variety of settings from early intervention through high school and is passionate about helping students maximize their communication potential. Sara earned her master's degree at San Diego State University and her undergraduate degree from UCSD. 

Dennis Hernandez, Ed.D. is an Alternative Instruction Media Technician for the Sweetwater Union High School District.  He orders, configures, and repairs items, devices, and products for special education students, and trains the students, staff, and families on these devices.  He specializes in supporting students with visual, hearing, and orthopedic impairments in accessing the curriculum.  He is responsible for coordinating with the Informational Technology department and managing the Assistive Technology inventory databases.  Dr. Hernandez works with sites, DIS Providers and staff to order, maintain, and support students with specific needs that require Low Incidence Funding and support. Dennis has worked for the Sweetwater Union High School District for over 25 years, and has a Master of Science in Counseling/Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy, a Master's in Education in Assistive Technology, and completed doctoral coursework at the University of Phoenix, in Educational Leadership, Specializing in Educational Technology. 

Lilian Sanavi is a Student Program Facilitator for the Sweetwater Union High School District. She is responsible for FMs (sound systems) distribution, ordering, maintenance, and repair.  She frequently collaborates with the site speech and language therapists, the audiologist, and FM vendors.  She specializes in supporting students with hearing impairments and ensuring their hearing needs are met.  She has worked for the Sweetwater Union High School District for over 25 years. 

Evelyn Moncayo is a Student Program Facilitator for the Sweetwater Union High School District. She is responsible for FMs (sound systems) distribution, ordering, maintenance, and repair.  She frequently collaborates with the site speech and language therapists, the audiologist, and FM vendors.  She specializes in supporting students with hearing impairments and ensuring their hearing needs are met. 

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