Her Story
About Heidi
Heidi Hornstein is a dedicated education professional with more than 25 years of experience serving students through special education, counseling, behavioral support, and student advocacy. She has been active in the education field since 1998 and currently serves as a Special Day Class Teacher, where she supports students with autism, Down syndrome, and mild to moderate disabilities. In this role, Heidi provides individualized instruction, develops and implements academic and behavioral goals, creates supportive learning environments, and applies evidence-based strategies to help students with diverse learning needs achieve personal and educational growth. She is especially passionate about supporting students with higher support needs on the autism spectrum and those who demonstrate challenging behaviors.
Throughout her career, Heidi has held a variety of roles, including Special Education Teacher in Resource Specialist Program (RSP), Inclusion, and Special Day Class (SDC) settings; Behavioral Therapist; Social Skills Coordinator; and School Behavior Counselor. Her experience includes working with students from TK through 8th grade, with a particular focus on early elementary learners. She has provided behavioral interventions, implemented Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies, facilitated IEP meetings, collaborated with families and multidisciplinary teams, and supported students’ social-emotional development. Her commitment to student success is reflected in her ability to combine compassion, structure, and individualized support to help each learner reach their full potential.
Heidi holds a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences from Oregon State University and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Oregon University, which qualified her for both General Education and Special Education credentials. She later earned a master’s degree in Special Education along with an Autism Certificate from Point Loma Nazarene University, followed by a master’s degree in Education specializing in Counseling and a PPS credential in School Counseling from Concordia University Irvine. With expertise in special education, autism support, behavioral intervention, crisis management, counseling, and family collaboration, Heidi continues to make a meaningful impact by advocating for students and fostering inclusive educational environments where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Heidi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the unwavering support, encouragement, and belief of my family, especially my stepmother, father, and sister. They have always motivated me to keep moving forward, even during challenging moments when I considered giving up while searching for a new opportunity this summer. Their positivity and encouragement, along with the guidance and support of my colleagues and instructors, helped me stay focused, resilient, and confident in my abilities. I am grateful for the people who have supported my journey and inspired me to continue growing both personally and professionally.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be patient and stick with it because it gets better. Communicate and collaborate with peers, administration, and all support staff including custodians and kitchen staff. Make it clear to students and parents that you are passionate about them. Maintain positivity because it goes a long way, even when making difficult phone calls home, and make positive phone calls out of the blue.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are trust, family, communication, kindness, and treating others with respect. I believe strong relationships are built through honesty, open communication, and showing consideration for others. I strive to approach every interaction with compassion and understanding, treating people the way I would want to be treated. These values guide the way I support my colleagues, students, and community while helping me create positive and meaningful connections with those around me.
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