United Independent School District is pleased to announce that Claudia C. Dovalina-Guzman is returning to the district as the new Executive Director of Special Education Instruction.

With 31 years of experience in public education (22 of them at United ISD), Dovalina-Guzman brings a wealth of expertise and accomplishments to her new role. She most recently served two years as Executive Director of the non-profit Communities In Schools, Inc., where she oversaw an array of positive changes.

Dovalina-Guzman brings important goals to the district.

“One important message I want the public to understand is that special education is a service, not a place. It is designed to meet individual student needs, and we must continue to expand opportunities so students with disabilities can fully participate alongside their peers,” Dovalina-Guzman said.

“My goals focus on strengthening systems and expanding opportunities to improve student outcomes. A primary priority is improving outcomes as measured by TEA accountability systems, with an emphasis on high-quality instruction, inclusion, and compliance,” she added.

She also aims to strengthen community partnerships to better support students and families from early childhood through postsecondary transition, including college, career, and military readiness.

“I am committed to expanding inclusion efforts to ensure students with disabilities have meaningful access to learning alongside their peers. Inclusive environments not only improve academic outcomes but also foster belonging and engagement within the school community,” Dovalina-Guzman said.

Her journey into special education was influenced by both her upbringing and life experiences.

“I come from a family of educators, my late grandmother, Anita T. Dovalina was a principal, and both of my parents were teachers, so education was always a strong influence,” she said.

After earning her degree in psychology from The University of Texas at San Antonio, she learned about the Alternative Certification Program through her father, who had transitioned into special education. 

“I pursued certification and began teaching at Martin High School, which marked the start of a meaningful career in special education,” Dovalina-Guzman said.

She began her tenure at United ISD as an assistant principal at United D.D. Hachar Elementary in Rio Bravo. That role laid the foundation for her leadership journey and strengthened her commitment to student success.

“One of my proudest areas of achievement was our success within the Texas accountability system. As an assistant principal at United D.D. Hachar Elementary, our campus earned a Recognized rating in 2003–2004. Later, as principal of Gutierrez Elementary, we achieved two Exemplary and four Recognized ratings, consistently meeting or exceeding state standards despite changes in accountability systems. These results reflected a shared commitment to high expectations and continuous improvement,” she said.

Another defining moment occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our special education department—including teachers, instructional assistants, related services staff, and administrators—quickly transitioned from in-person instruction, services, and Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee meetings to a fully virtual model,” Dovalina-Guzman said.

“Despite the challenges, we maintained high-quality instruction and strong support for students and families. These accomplishments reflect the resilience, adaptability, and dedication of our teams,” she added.

Dovalina-Guzman retired in 2024 and went to lead Communities in Schools, Inc.

During that time, she worked closely with the Board of Directors, CIS affiliates across Texas, national leadership, and the Texas Education Agency.

Their success was driven by strong collaboration and partnerships with districts including Jim Hogg County ISD, Laredo ISD, Triumph Public High Schools, United ISD, and Zapata County ISD.

“One of our most significant accomplishments was earning re-accreditation while exceeding TEA performance measures in academics, behavior, and attendance. We also saw strong gains in promotion and graduation rates for our case managed students,” Dovalina-Guzman said.

“Additionally, we implemented impactful initiatives such as the Food is Fuel program, providing food distributions to families before school breaks. Increased fundraising and grant efforts allowed us to expand existing services including school supplies, uniforms, transportation, mental health support, vision care, and scholarships. Strengthening our use of data systems also enabled us to clearly demonstrate the impact of our work,” she said.

Several factors influenced her decision to return to special education leadership.

“First, through travel, I observed how various communities embrace individuals with disabilities through workforce opportunities and volunteerism. This reinforced the importance of continuing to strengthen transition services for our students in our community,” she said.

“During my time at CIS, I witnessed significant professional growth among staff, many new to the field. This reminded me of similar challenges within the district, including increased special education enrollment and staffing changes,” she said. “It highlighted the ongoing need for strong training and support systems to ensure teachers receive the support that they need to effectively implement individualized educational programs and deliver high-quality instruction.”

“My previous experience working with multidisciplinary teams in special education showed me the importance of ongoing professional development across all disciplines. Returning to the district allows me to build on that experience and strengthen systems that support both educators and students,” Dovalina-Guzman said.

The veteran educator graduated from J.W. Nixon High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 1992. She later obtained her Special Education certification through Laredo State University. She also earned a master’s degree in educational diagnostics from Texas A&M International University in 1997 and worked as an educational diagnostician at J.W. Nixon High School for five years. She later earned her certification in educational administration from Texas A&M International University in 2002.

She is especially grateful to her early teachers and mentors, especially her parents for instilling the value of hard work and to her husband for his unconditional support.

“I also particularly appreciate Frances Quijano Harrel and Rosario Carmichael, whose leadership inspired my commitment to students and continued learning. I am deeply thankful for my mentors, Dr. Georgeanne Reuthinger and Mr. Fernando Garcia, whose guidance and support have had a lasting impact on my growth as a leader,” Dovalina-Guzman said.

She cites her family has her greatest source of strength. Married to Osbaldo Guzman Jr., they have four children: Ilyssa, Nicholas (Amanda), Rebecca, and Orlando, and one grandchild, Ethan.

“In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching documentaries, working out, running, and traveling which is often centered around baseball, whether supporting various teams or attending games to watch our son and grandson play. Most importantly, I value time with family and friends and strive to surround myself with positive, uplifting people,” she said.