Region 10 ESC is proud to announce the appointments of Danee’ Puga as Director of Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) and Dr. Gracie Whitley as Director of Special Populations. Both leaders bring decades of experience and a passion for serving students, families, and communities.
Danee’ joins Region 10 with more than 25 years in education, most recently as Assistant Director of HS/EHS at Region 16 ESC in Amarillo, Texas.
Known for her expertise in grant-funded program management, staff development, and strategic planning, Danee’ has helped shape one of the state’s largest early childhood programs.
“Her extensive experience makes her the ideal leader to guide our HS/EHS programs into the future,” said Dr. Jana Melsheimer, Executive Director of Region 10.
Throughout her career, Danee’ has excelled in program compliance, fiscal oversight, and team building, with a strong focus on school readiness and family engagement. She previously served as Director of Special Education at Swisher Briscoe Shared Services Arrangement (SSA) and holds certifications in educational leadership and special education.
Region 10 is equally pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gracie Whitley as Director of Special Populations, further strengthening the organization’s leadership team.
Gracie has been an integral part of Region 10 since 2019, where she began as a Program Coordinator overseeing SPEDTex operations and professional development for educators. She quickly rose to Assistant Director in 2020, leading statewide initiatives including special education family engagement and the Parent-directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency.
“Dr. Whitley’s commitment to improving outcomes for all students and her collaborative approach make her exceptionally qualified,” said Dr. Melsheimer.
Gracie’s impressive background includes leadership roles with Wood County Special Education SSA and Garland ISD, as well as serving as a Director of Therapy Services at Kids In-Home Therapy Services. She holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree with a pediatric focus, a Master of Education in Special Education, and an MBA.
Both appointments reflect Region 10’s commitment to providing high-quality services to support educators and positively impact student achievement.