Governor Greg Abbott appointed Rebecca Faulkner, Felicia Penn, and Kristen Tuttle Urbanovsky and reappointed Claudia Cavazos, April Estrada, Ed.D., and Amy Litzinger to the Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee for terms set to expire on February 1, 2029, according to an Apr. 2 announcement. The committee is responsible for providing policy guidance on special education and related services for children with disabilities in Texas.
The appointments are important as the committee plays a key role in shaping policies that impact students with disabilities across the state. Members come from diverse backgrounds in education and advocacy.
Rebecca Faulkner of Rochelle is director of special populations at Brownwood Independent School District. Felicia Penn of San Antonio serves as manager of education at the Department of Family and Protective Services. Kristen Tuttle Urbanovsky works as an educational diagnostician at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department-Giddings Juvenile State Correctional Facility. Claudia Cavazos is assistant superintendent of governance and leadership for Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. April Estrada leads special populations at Region 10 ESC and also teaches as an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University. Amy Litzinger is a Policy Lead with Texas Parent to Parent.
According to the official website, Governor Abbott’s office has contributed to Texas leading the nation in jobs growth and record employment levels. The governor’s office maintains its primary offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building according to its official website. Greg Abbott was listed among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 according to official sources.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott focuses on job creation, economic opportunities, enhancing education, protecting individual liberties, empowering parents in schooling decisions, and securing the southern border according to its official website. After being elected in 2014, Greg Abbott has led this office which delivers services statewide across Texas according to official sources.
These appointments reflect ongoing efforts by state leadership to address educational needs through expert input from various sectors.
