Her Story
About Diana
I founded The Spedicated Leader in 2022 as a direct response to the significant learning loss we were seeing post-COVID in both students with disabilities and those in general education. What I was observing was that many staff members simply didn't have the knowledge or skills to meet the unique needs of students in their classrooms. Teachers weren't feeling confident in their ability to proactively support students with disabilities like dyslexia, autism, or ADHD, both behaviorally and academically. This lack of confidence was resulting in increased suspensions and students passing through grades without becoming proficient, creating a rippling effect throughout their education. I wanted to create a solution that made teachers feel confident and like they were truly doing a service to their students. Through The Spedicated Leader, we provide coaching and training to teachers and school leaders, working directly with districts. We recently piloted an online on-demand training program for teachers. Looking ahead, I'm working toward hosting a summer professional development opportunity and possibly a winter institute where special education teachers can come together to upskill and learn how to navigate the specific and contextual situations they face throughout the country, helping them translate what they learned in certification programs to what they actually see in front of them.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Diana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I don't think there's a simple answer, and I know it's not just me. I am especially grateful to those who have come before me. I think about people in my family - my grandmother, my great-grandmother, my mother - who have worked tirelessly to make sure that I had the opportunity to go to schools that were not in my neighborhood, to be able to have the exposure to different cultures and be able to travel in high school. I think about organizations like New Jersey Seeds that prepared me to apply to a competitive high school and then a competitive college. I think about one of my first managers in college, Robin, who hired me as a grad assistant as an undergraduate student and had honest conversations about when I was not meeting the mark and I had to do better. I don't think that it's one particular thing. I think it's the people that have poured into me over the years that have helped me get here.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Some values that are at the forefront for me are definitely integrity and doing right by others. Having a voice is really important to me, especially in working with children and students with disabilities. I focus on teaching them how to advocate for themselves, not only advocating for what doesn't work for them, but also what does work for them. If they know that they need a certain accommodation or support, I want them to feel comfortable asking adults around them so they can set themselves up for success. Another value that's important to me is creating opportunities. I believe in the saying that to whom much is given, much is required. I know that I would not be where I am if it weren't for people that were looking out and letting me know of opportunities and giving me feedback to hold me accountable to just be great through the years. So I believe in creating those opportunities for others as well, whether it's high schoolers, college students, or even folks that are looking to get into consulting or education. It's really important to me to pour back in that way, to especially create more space for folks that look like me in positions that I've served in.
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