Orange Early Childhood Center

The primary role of the Preschool Intervention and Referral Team(PIRT) is to provide support and suggested interventions to teachers so that all children can succeed within the general education classroom.

The Preschool Intervention and Referral Team members have a strong background and knowledge in early childhood education, child development, the district curriculum, and the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) program.

The specialists on PIRT support classroom teachers in order to provide strategies for children who are exhibiting difficulty in the classroom as indicated through the screening process or the observation of the classroom teacher and master teacher.

The team provides support including written strategies for classroom staff, modeling strategies in the classroom when appropriate, providing professional development and providing consultation to classroom staff, parents, school nurses, administrators and master teachers.

The members of the team, referred to as Preschool Intervention and Referral Specialists (PIRS) are: 

Iris Ramos, is a social worker and early childhood educator.  Her specialty is working with families.

Janice Torres, is an inclusion specialist with a strong background in language development.  Her expertise is in the development of  learning, fine motor, and communication skills.  

Melissa Strelec, is an inclusion specialist. Her area of expertise is in child development, positive behavior support and fine motor skills.

Maria Adame, is an inclusion specialist with a strong background in Early Intervention. Her area of expertise is in childhood development, early childhood, and the district chosen preschool curriculum.