Christle J. Hart
Christle Hart is a seasoned special education teacher and multidisciplinary professional based in Tacoma, Washington, with a career spanning nearly two decades dedicated to supporting children with autism and behavioral disorders. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Lewis and Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, with a dual major in Elementary Education (K–8) and a minor in Special Education (K–12). She later went on to complete two Master’s degrees from the University of Phoenix, one in Psychology and one in Education with a focus on Mathematics, further strengthening her expertise in both instructional practice and behavioral understanding.
Since 2007, Christle has worked extensively as a Special Education Teacher, currently serving in an elementary school setting supporting students from preschool through 5th grade with a caseload of approximately 60 students. In this role, she develops and implements Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), conducts Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and provides direct instruction in math, reading, and social skills. She also collaborates with general education teachers to design and implement strategies that support neurodivergent learners and students with behavioral needs, while mentoring a co-teacher pursuing her special education endorsement in the State of Washington.
Beyond her work in education, Christle is an accomplished writer and emerging author with a growing creative portfolio. She published her first book independently through Amazon Self Publishing in 2023, which was later republished in 2024 by Archway Publishing, a hybrid imprint of Simon & Schuster. She is currently developing the second installment of her trilogy, a children’s book series titled The Fantastical Adventures of Guinevere and Merlin featuring her cats, and an exposé on the realities of education in the United States over the past 20 years. In addition, she is exploring a research collaboration with the University of Edinburgh focused on autism, environmental influences, and diet, while expanding her presence as a content creator on TikTok and Instagram to support her writing and future transition to Scotland.
• Special Education Teacher
• Elementary Education Teacher
• Lewis-Clark State College - B.S. in Elementary & Special Education
• University of Phoenix - M.Ed.
• University of Phoenix - M.A. in Psychology
• Western Governors University- BBA, Accounting
• Great NorthWest Pagan Association
What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my drive and my determination to always keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles. I have always had to be doing something, always moving forward. When I was younger, I didn't have time to decompress because I was a single parent raising two kids on my own while going to school full-time and working full-time. I did all the things. Everything has always been go-go-go-go-go, and even now that my kids are in their mid-30s and I have four or five grandchildren, I still can't sit still. I'm not able to decompress because it just isn't something I know how to do. That constant drive and need to always be moving forward is what has made me successful.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to keep pushing forward, keep moving forward, and stick by your beliefs. Don't let other people deter you or shake your confidence in what you know is right.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you're entering the industry of being an educator, work in the industry before you make a decision. It's hard, and most people don't stay past three years, don't make it three years. Stay strong, and know that if you're going into teaching, you need to be a person that's willing to make change, or force change, because this industry and this country needs to change. The system needs improvement, and you have to be prepared to advocate for that change. If you're going to be an author, follow your heart, keep plugging forward, and don't let people get you down. Stay consistent and don't let negativity discourage you from pursuing your passion.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education today is the lack of funding, lack of support, and lack of staffing. Since the pandemic, these issues have only intensified, and they've gotten even worse since the events of January 2024 with budget cuts and funding cuts. It's been really bad, and it's only getting worse. People are leaving the industry in droves for these simple reasons - because of lack of funding and lack of support. The increased workloads for educators and decreased support for students continue to impact the quality of education, and many professionals are experiencing burnout and leaving the field because of these limited resources.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are perseverance, kindness, and treating people with respect. Being kind is something that I think is greatly missing in our society today. I believe in doing what you need to do and keeping moving forward, but being kind when you're doing it. I think you can reach your goals and what you want to do without stepping on other people. Kindness and respect make a real difference, and you don't have to compromise those values to achieve success.
Locations
Western Washington Public Schools
Tacoma, WA 98466