Lara

My name is Lara, and I have been a teacher for over eight years. Since the start of my career, I have worked as a Special Education Teacher supporting diverse learners, including students with Autism, Down Syndrome, and various learning disabilities. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that every child has the potential to grow and learn in their own way and at their own pace. As their teacher, it is my role to identify the strategies that best support their ability to learn new skills, retain them, and generalize them beyond the classroom.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a focus in Special Education. I have cleared both my Mild/Moderate Education Specialist and Multiple Subject credentials, and I have also obtained my Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) Certificate. These credentials allow me to teach students with disabilities as well as in general education elementary classrooms.

I currently teach in the Alhambra Unified School District within the district’s Autism Program. I have been with the district since 2018 and have spent the last five years teaching students from Kindergarten through fifth grade. During my time in the program, I have gained experience using the Orton-Gillingham approach to support early literacy. This structured, multisensory method helps students develop skills in letter formation, letter recognition, phonics, reading, spelling, and comprehension, making it highly effective for a wide range of learners.

I also have experience supporting students who use AAC devices. Since each device is customized to meet a student’s individual needs—and evolves as their skills grow—I believe it is essential to use these tools consistently across home, school, and therapy settings to promote meaningful communication.

In addition, I have received training in a variety of behavioral management strategies, which are especially important when teaching younger students with diverse needs. These strategies help create structure during instruction, promote positive learning behaviors, and ensure that expectations are clear and supportive.

My goal as a teacher is to help students learn, grow, and experience joy in the learning process.