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Alexis Rosales
Program Manager for Student Support Instructional Services Fort Bend Independent School District Special Education Department
Sugar Land, Texas
Since joining the Fort Bend Independent School District a decade ago, Alexis Rosales has served children in a variety of ways: As a classroom teacher, a pre-K instructional coach, and the program manager for Fort Bend's special education programs. In her newest role as program manager for the district's Student Support Instructional Services, Alexis helps children in special education, pre-K to 12th grade, access the assistive technology, vision, and adapted physical education services they may need.
Such inclusivity is a hallmark of her career. As program manager of the district's former Special Education Specialized Programs, Alexis launched a districtwide initiative to increase the number of children with disabilities in general education classrooms. "When I joined the district, only 10 percent of prekindergartners with disabilities spent the day in an inclusive classroom," she recalls. "I didn't realize how far behind we were. What we thought was quality inclusion was 30 minutes here, 30 minutes there."
Under her guidance, the percentage of 4-year-olds with disabilities in inclusive classrooms during the 2023-24 school year grew from 30 to 60 percent-much closer to the district's goal of 70 percent. "We were very, very proud," she says. "This was such a positive message to families."
Following are excerpts from a conversation in which Alexis reflects on inclusiveness, children's strengths, and the early childhood curricula.
You made incredible gains in increasing the number of children with disabilities in inclusive classrooms. To what do you attribute that success?
My year as a pre-K general education coach was the biggest impact maker. I could see where the gaps were. In...