Aldine ISD named Diaka R. Melendez Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services. Melendez is returning home, having started her career in education at Nimitz Ninth Grade School as a teacher and softball coach.

Melendez, who started on August 2, will oversee several departments and initiatives, including Guidance and Counseling, Health Services, School Administration, Dropout Recovery, and Social and Emotional Learning and Culture.

“Diaka brings 20-plus years of experience to the role and is eager to support the district’s strategic priorities,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “She will be an asset in continuing our work in giving students the resources, skills, and tools that help our students overcome barriers and find success in school, college, and life.”

She joins Aldine ISD from Spring ISD, serving as curriculum and instruction executive director since 2021. Melendez led the PreK-12 curriculum development efforts to ensure equitable outcomes for all learners. In her role, Melendez monitored and ensured curriculum projects, timelines, and activities were completed as outlined in the district’s strategic plan. She supervised the district’s curriculum directors, content specialists, and instructional technologists. The work entailed building capacity in staff to access, interpret and act effectively on data to inform curriculum delivery, interventions, and accelerations decisions. Melendez also led the development and creation of all local district assessments. Additionally, she supported the integration of literacy, arts, social-emotional learning (SEL), STEM, and digital technology across curriculum levels; she supported staff in administering regulations and their impact on curriculum development. Her work efforts included coordinating the district’s annual summer school curriculum and program for all eligible students.

Melendez began her career in education at Nimitz Nimitz Ninth Grade School in 2002 as a teacher and softball coach before joining Humble ISD as an assistant principal at Humble High School in 2008. She advanced to associate principal of curriculum and instruction at Summer Creek HS and Humble HS, a position she held since 2011 until joining Spring ISD in July of 2016. She started as a principal at Spring HS before moving into her most recent role in SISD.

“Working at Aldine means that I will have the opportunity to be part of the work that can positively impact the trajectory of our students’ lives,” said Melendez. “I take that role very seriously because the work I am helping lead means our students, staff, and schools can tap into every ounce of potential. When I think of all the possibilities for the students in our classrooms, I think, ‘Wow! How awesome is it to work with this community to change lives? I feel very fortunate to be back.”

Student Support Services help improve the quality of student learning, reduce dropout rates, and promote academic performance. Student Support Programs help students stay engaged, overcome barriers, and achieve their goals.

How Student Support Services Are Helpful to Students

• Increased Student Engagement: Students feel more connected, form connections, and develop grit, so they stay the course even when things get complicated.
• Removing Barriers: Every learner might endure some difficulties at some point, such as financial issues at home, childcare, a confidence crisis, etc., that can create obstacles for student progress. Student Support Services assist in providing students with the resources they need to overcome their barriers to success. Resources can include tutoring, financial aid, healthcare, mental health services, and other programs to help students strive and achieve their objectives.
• Helping Students Achieve Their Goals: Students can use Student Support Services to help them connect with career counseling and address underlying motivation that drives them to attend school and pursue college, trade schools, or the military to achieve their goals.
• Melendez will be a part of the Schools Office, working alongside the School Assistant Superintendents.

“We are all looking forward to working with Diaka as we continue to meet the goals and priorities of our strategic plan,” said Chief of School Dr. Katy Roede. “We will continue to move forward to ensure that every student, teacher, and leader has what they need to be successful.”