Retiring special education coordinator honored

Holly Munoz

Holly Munoz, coordinator of special education for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, was honored on May 15 for her accomplishments in working with students with disabilities and special needs. 

Jeff Johnston, director of student services for the CH-UH district, nominated Munoz for the Outstanding Educator Achievement Award, bestowed by the Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County (ESC-CC) and State Support Team Region 3.

“Dr. Munoz is most deserving of this prestigious award. Her passion for serving students with disabilities inspires me every day,” said Johnston. “She is an energetic leader with a deep knowledge of instructional practice. She is fearless when it comes to making changes and adapting our educational programs to fit the needs of our students. As she approaches her retirement in June, I can think of no better way to recognize her remarkable career.” 

According to Johnston, Munoz has helped facilitate the selection and adoption of reading, math and transition curriculum. She has advocated and supported the establishment of intervention specialists as highly qualified curricular experts equal to their content peers. Further, she has assisted in the establishment of co-teaching as a core instructional approach for the district. 

Prior to joining the CH-UH district in 2005, Munoz served as the principal of Sunbeam School in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. During her tenure, Sunbeam was a pre-K through eighth-grade school where at least half of the student population was identified as having intellectual or physical impairments.