SPEDvolution

As an eight-year teacher in special education, I am dedicated to supporting students with intellectual disabilities and autism. I work as a self-contained teacher, providing a modified curriculum that meets the unique needs of each student. I’m also a doctoral student, National Board certified, and take great pride in my role as the site coordinator for the Special Olympics at my school. My goal is to create an inclusive, engaging environment where all students are empowered to reach their fullest potential.

I’m a strong advocate for student-led discovery learning. As a child, I didn’t enjoy feeling that all lessons were teacher-led and lecture-based, so I focus on creating a more engaging and interactive classroom. My space includes a variety of centers- sensory, reading, computer, and quiet corners—where students can explore, learn, and grow in ways that work best for them. I teach whole-group lessons to foster discussion and active participation, followed by differentiated instruction groups to ensure every student is supported at their own level.

As a dedicated educator, I am proud to have achieved several milestones in my career. I hold National Board Certification (2025-2030) and served as Special Education Department Chair in 2019. I was honored to be named Rookie Teacher of the Year in 2018 and awarded the Project TEACHLAB grant to pursue my master's in Special Education. I am also a published author with 11 scholarly articles focused on students with disabilities and have had the privilege of guest lecturing at Florida International University. Over the years, I've facilitated student success by helping them become published authors and served as the Special Olympics Site Coordinator at my school. Additionally, I have received multiple grants, including the McDonald's Golden Grant and the United Teachers of Dade Presidents Grant, to further enhance my students' learning experiences.

I graduated from Florida International University (FIU) with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, complemented by reading, ESOL, and autism endorsements. I obtained my master’s degree in Special Education at FIU and currently I'm furthering my academic journey as a doctoral student in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. My passion for education drives me to continuously grow and improve as both an educator and a leader.

I chose to remain in special education because I saw how my students were often limited by the low expectations of others. I believed it was my responsibility to assume that they could succeed, as long as the tools and resources I provided were appropriate for them. My goal is to help all students reach their full potential, and with their own self-determination, I hope they continue to progress and make meaningful learning gains.