CASE STUDY
Teletherapy’s role in redefining speech-language support at Cotulla ISD
May 26, 2026
Psychoeducational evaluationsSpeech-language services
CASE STUDY
Driven by a “Kids Come First” motto, Cotulla Independent School District (Cotulla ISD) took a leap of faith to better serve their students—trading their traditional co-op model for a new kind of independence: homegrown special education department.
Building a program from the ground up in a remote town isn’t easy. With very few local speech-language pathologists nearby, the district had to find a new way to get students the care they needed. Realizing they had limited access to providers, they turned to Presence for teletherapy support.
Services delivered
Supporting five school sites across a rural landscape presented a significant challenge for Cotulla ISD. With campuses spread out and qualified local providers in short supply, ensuring consistent speech-language services across the district required a new approach.
Cotulla ISD partnered with Presence to launch a comprehensive teletherapy program, where dedicated providers deliver consistent support and help more students grow and thrive over time. Our Smart Start onsite service onboarded teams and prepared clinical spaces ahead of the new program. By coordinating technology, logistics, and staffing, our teams worked together to ensure the district was ready to kick off teletherapy services confidently at launch.
For Cotulla ISD, teletherapy was never seen as a compromise. Instead, district leadership viewed it as a “slam dunk” opportunity to engage students in a learning environment that feels familiar and comfortable to them. By rethinking traditional service models, the district established a sustainable program that helps more students develop vital communication skills. This student-centered approach has allowed the new department to set a new standard for rural service access.
*Data reflects results from the 2025–26 school year.
THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
Deanna Nava, Cotulla ISD’s Special Education Director and Ramiro Nava, Cotulla ISD’s Superintendent, played a key role in welcoming Presence providers into the district’s daily life. By treating remote SLPs as a true extension of their own team, leadership helped teletherapy feel personal and high-touch from the start. This collaborative environment helped students form meaningful connections with their providers, turning every session into a real opportunity for growth.
LOOKING AHEAD
Cotulla ISD has created a flexible framework for delivering specialized support in a rural community. Together, we continue to show how districts can rethink traditional models and expand access for the students who need it most.
Cotulla ISD earned Partner of the Year for innovating with purpose and embracing thoughtful, student-centered solutions aligned to community needs, staffing realities, and long-term sustainability. By forging new pathways to support students, they’re helping redefine what’s possible for rural districts.
Schedule a free consultation and learn how Presence teletherapy solutions can help your district thrive.
Learn how Presence teletherapy solutions can help your district thrive.
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