Scholar Bios

COHORT 6

Yusra Sultan

My name is Yusra Sultan, and I am a first-generation, Palestinian-American student currently pursuing my Master's in Speech Language Pathology. On-campus, I am currently involved with the Multilingualism Lab as a Research Assistant, and working in the College Link Program as an Academic Coach. Previously, I have been able to intern on Capitol Hill with the Committee on Education and the Workforce, contributing to policies that impact augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users and their families. As someone with an interest in advocacy and healthcare, I believe Project ASPIRE will allow me to deepen my understanding of neurodiversity. This experience will also expand my knowledge of how to better support individuals with Autism, especially in higher education settings. In the future, I would love to serve as a Speech Language Pathologist either providing clinical services in Title One schools, or a non profit organization for individuals who exhibit developmental disabilities.

I strive to educate multicultural backgrounds on neurodevelopmental/neurocognitive disorders in order to prevent the high stigmatization surrounding this field and delve into the intervention strategies most suitable for diverse populations. I plan on continuing my advocacy initiatives through organizational outreach for health policies that strengthen clinical services in schools, and pushing for education reform to better serve marginalized communities. During my free time, I love watching true-crime documentaries and going on runs!

Sammy Daniels

Hello, my name is Sammy Daniels, and I have an interest in working in a special education classroom. I am interested in teaching a mild/moderate SDC program in Folsom Cordova Unified School District. I attended CSU East Bay and obtained my bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a concentration in teacher preparation. I have had several years of experience as a special education aide as well as a substitute teacher. I have two brothers-in-law that have autism, and I believe that has fueled my desire to help others with emotional as well as physical disabilities in the classroom. I currently work for the Folsom Cordova school district and would love to continue to grow within the district. I have had experience as a long-term substitute working as an elementary school PE teacher for 3 months. I currently have an offer to substitute teach in a K-5 mild/moderate classroom as the teacher is going on maternity leave and is not expected to return for several months. Through the connections that I have made within the school district, I am always super busy and I work every single day. I actually have to turn teachers down because the demand for special education teachers is so high.

It really makes me feel valued as a teacher to know that the school district appreciates a good teacher and rewards them as such. I am very excited to start this program and learn more effective strategies to use in and outside of the classroom when it comes to teaching students with autism. Thank you for having me.

Jaelyn Negranza

Hello! My name is Jaelyn Negranza and I am currently a first-year graduate student in the extended Speech-Language Pathology master's program. I earned my bachelor's degree in Linguistics with an emphasis on Speech-Language Sciences and Disorders at UC Santa Barbara. My journey to becoming an SLP was driven by my mother who suffered a stroke and underwent extensive speech and physical therapy. Speech-language pathology sparked an interest in me as SLPs made a difference in the lives of their clients. Throughout my undergrad, I had the honor of being an intern at a local therapy collective in Santa Barbara where I worked alongside a neurodiversity-affirming SLP which has given me insight into the field. This role has allowed me to explore speech-language pathology through the lens of neurodiversity.

I am particularly passionate about early intervention and educational settings, where I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children. My involvement with Project ASPIRE is an exciting opportunity to further develop my skills and knowledge about autism. My hands-on experience working with neurodiverse individuals allows me to contribute valuable insights that could benefit both my peers and the program. Through Project ASPIRE, I aim to enhance my clinical skills and advocacy efforts, striving to empower neurodiverse individuals to reach their fullest potential.

When I am not studying or in class, I enjoy cooking, spending time with family and friends, painting and going to island-reggae concerts!

Nick Pio

Hi, my name is Nick Pio. I am 22 years old, and I was born in Hayward and raised in Manteca. I am a 1st year CC II at csueb. I received my speech-language pathology undergraduate degree at University of the Pacific where I obtained two years of undergraduate direct clinical experience. I have experience administering/ scoring standardized assessments, holding independent/ group therapy and clinic report writing for a couple of years in undergraduate. I also have an ABA background as an early intervention specialist where I helped infants with speech/ language, physical development, social/emotional and cognitive skills. I also am currently a substitute teacher for Hayward Unified School District for K-12 students. My job as a substitute confirmed my interest in being open to working at the schools. I enjoy working with kids specifically who are gestalt language processors and are autistic. My favorite part about working with gestalt language processors is helping them express their wants and needs and creating engaging activities.

My hope is to work at a gestalt language processing private practice or a school-based speech-language pathologist. I plan to utilize my knowledge project ASPIRE to learn about autistic individuals at the deepest level possible. I also enjoy discussing this topic and bringing awareness to be inclusive and treat autistic individuals the way they want to be treated. I also enjoy the service-based learning that ASPIRE provides.

My two sisters have a background in BCBA and Music Therapy, so I was introduced to speech-language pathology since I was 4th grade. In my free time, I enjoy singing, dancing and playing tennis. I also enjoy trying different coffee/ boba shops all across California.

Charles Lung

Charles Lung, a passionate educator and lifelong learner, is now on his fourth career path. His rich background in varied experiences has led him to the world of education, where he is dedicated to creating engaging and inclusive learning environments for students. His expertise spans multiple subjects, demonstrating his adaptability. However, it is his unwavering commitment to fostering student growth across various disciplines, including Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and CTE, that truly sets him apart. When Charles develops lesson plans that accommodate Mild/Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) students, he strives to ensure that his teaching methods are inclusive and accessible. This approach reflects his understanding of the different learning needs within the classroom and his desire to support all students in reaching their full potential.

Charles continues to further his education while helping others advance theirs. His interest in literacy development is evident in his work, focusing on improving foundational reading skills such as letter recognition and phonological awareness. His professional and personal interest in autism further informs his teaching, as he works closely with scouts diagnosed with autism, helping them thrive in academic and extracurricular settings.

Charles' journey in education is grounded in genuine care for students' development and well-being. He is also a reflective practitioner, continuously analyzing teaching strategies, including using technology to enhance learning outcomes. With his wealth of experience, a heart for inclusion, and a focus on practical and effective teaching strategies, Charles Lung continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the students he works with, shaping future generations through education.

Natalie Gold

My name is Natalie Gold, and I am a first year graduate student earning my masters degree in mild to moderate special education here at Cal State East Bay. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and I enjoy surfing, going to museums, and eating food with my friends and family. During my undergraduate studies, I discovered my passion for teaching at UC Berkeley, where I earned my bachelors degree and teaching credential. For the past four years I have been a science teacher and a substitute and absolutely love working with students of all ages, backgrounds, and learning levels. During my teaching, I discovered a further passion for special education, and I am excited for this opportunity to hone my skills as a special educator. I am grateful to be part of the ASPIRE program, and am so excited to be back in the bay to continue my education and to grow as a teacher.

Lynx Best

Lynx Best (they/them/theirs) is a 23 year old Graduate Student in their first year, studying Special Education with a focus in Extensive Support Needs. They received their undergraduate degree in Music Education in May of 2023 from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. In their free time, they enjoy baking, D&D, and writing. Lynx is wholly focused on and devoted to disability advocacy, and uplifting the voices of those who have experienced Special Education and its related services. They were diagnosed with ADHD during their first semester at SUNY Potsdam, and with Autism in early 2021. They've had experiences pertaining to their disability they never want to see replicated, and therefore they want to be a voice for students and families in our public schools.

With the experience they will receive through Project ASPIRE, Lynx will be more capable than ever to advocate for disabled students. Change comes one piece at a time, and they hope to accelerate that process for our students. This project will help equip them to professionally advocate in our schools.

After Lynx graduates, they plan to work in Disability advocacy, with a focus on serving students, families, and districts. Lynx intends on being a resource for families going through the IEP process for the first time, assisting districts with policy and procedure pertaining to disability, and on working directly with students and their providers to ensure their needs are being met. They believe that compassion is a choice we all make each day, and they want to make that choice as easy as possible by providing their knowledge, their experience, and their presence to those who need it.

Sarah Green

Hello, my name is Sarah Green and I am a first year master’s student in the extended speech-language pathology program here at Cal State East Bay. I earned my BS in Psychology from UC San Diego in 2023 after starting my college education with an associate’s in Mathematics from Diablo Valley College in 2022. I have a background in education and special education. I have had the privilege of working with many students with autism, particularly in the last year as I worked as a resource teacher with mild-moderate fourth graders and then a paraprofessional in a moderate-severe autism Pre-K classroom. I truly love working with this population and getting to know each of them as individuals.

I chose to go into speech-language pathology after observing how speech-language pathologists can help foster self-advocacy and communication in a multitude of ways for children with autism. I hope to work with preschool- and elementary-age children with autism in my career as a speech-language pathologist. When I’m not at school or studying, you can find me hiking, reading, and working part-time in a boba shop.

Asia Jamison

Asia Jamison - I am a passionate advocate for community, education, and inclusivity, born and raised in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. My journey into the world of education and community service began early in my life, where I dedicated myself to volunteering activities that opened my eyes to the diverse needs of those around me. Whether it was serving meals to the homeless or contributing to projects with Habitat for Humanity, these experiences ignited a lifelong commitment to fostering positive change. My own experiences with education have profoundly shaped my career path and inspired me to create inclusive learning spaces that cater to all students. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from California State University East Bay. Currently, I am pursuing an Extensive Support Needs (ESN) credential alongside a Master’s in Education from CSUEB. This academic journey has equipped me with a robust understanding of the educational landscape, as well as the tools necessary to support students with diverse learning needs effectively.

Throughout the past decade, I have immersed myself in the field of education, dedicating seven years as an ESN Paraeducator and two years as an ESN Education Specialist. These roles have allowed me to cultivate strong relationships with students, empowering them to thrive academically and socially. I find immense fulfillment in my work, as I believe that every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential in a supportive and understanding environment. In addition to my professional life, I am an avid traveler with a deep appreciation for art, architecture, and culture.

I find inspiration in exploring new places and immersing myself in the beauty of diverse cultures. Whether wandering through an art gallery, discovering historical landmarks, or indulging in local culinary delights, I cherish each experience as an opportunity to learn and grow.

COHORT 5

Hayley Vandermey

Hello, all! My name is Haley, and I am a first-year student enrolled in the CCX program for Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at CSU East Bay. Prior to arriving at CSUEB, I graduated from UC Davis with my Bachelor’s in Linguistics and Psychology. I have spent almost all my life in the Bay Area, and so my journey into the field of speech-language pathology was heavily influenced by my admiration for the diversity and richness of different forms of communication in the Bay and across California as a whole. As I have started to pursue my education in speech-language pathology, I have developed a particular interest in autism spectrum disorder, augmentative and alternative communication, and the Deaf/Hard of Hearing population. My goal is that by working with Project ASPIRE, I will be well prepared to work in these areas and better serve my community. After graduating with my M.S., I hope to be working in elementary schools in the Bay Area. I love working with younger children and am very personally motivated to help level the playing field for children with disabilities in terms of communication and access so they can have an equal opportunity to succeed in an academic environment. In the long-term, I also hope to open my own SLP practice some day!

On a more personal note, some of my hobbies include crochet, reading fantasy novels, learning American Sign Language (ASL), and playing video games. When I can, I also love to travel, try new restaurants and foods, and spend time with my family!

Dionshane'e Campbell

Hello all :) My name is Dionshane'e Campbell and I am a 29 year old, born and raised in Oakland, Ca. I have always strived to be the best that I can be and recently I have had the pleasure of continuing my journey as I complete my Masters program at CSU East Bay. I currently work as a Resource Specialist at the high school I graduated from. I have been in this field for six years and never really understood why I wanted to help those with special needs until recently. I have always wanted to give back to the community that poured so much into my when I was young and am beyond thankful to be living in my purpose today. I realized last year that I was walking in my purpose when my three year old son was diagnosed with autism. All of the years I have spent working in this field did not make sense until the day I got his diagnosis. I received this experience, knowledge, education, patience, etc to best support my child. Who better to be a mother to someone with autism?! As a single mother, I am more than elated to have been accepted into this program to help my community, but more so, to help build up my son to be the best young man he can in this world.

Nancy “Lupita” Vasquez

My name is Nancy “Lupita” Vasquez, and I am in my second year of my graduate studies in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences department, earning my Master's to be a speech therapist. My background is in Linguistics, having earned my B.A. from Cal State Long Beach. Some of my previous work includes research in acoustic & articulatory phonetics, as well as working as an aide in a special education preschool classroom for children that are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. I currently work as a research assistant for the department's Multilingualism Lab, working on projects revolving around bilinguals with aphasia. I am excited to learn more and better advocate for the autistic community, being a neurodiverse student myself. I grew up in Southern California, the youngest of nine kids, and moved to Alameda in 2018. I spend most of my free time with my husband, our ten-year-old daughter, and our one-year-old twin sons. We have two fur babies named Basil and Dorian.

Sara Cobb

Hello, my name is Sarah Cobb and I'm a first year speech-language pathology extended graduate student at CSUEB. Alongside graduate school, I work part time as a teaching assistant at The Phillips Academy, a non-public school in Alameda that serves middle and high school students with special needs. My career in special education introduced me to the autistic community and I am so grateful to serve this unique population. My autistic students inspire me in their unabashed passion for life, unique perspective on the world, and resilience in the face of challenges. I joined Project ASPIRE due to my affinity for working with the autistic community, a dedicated interest in imparting life skills to high school students on the spectrum, and a strong commitment to acquiring contemporary and research-backed methodological expertise.

Tatiana Novikova

My name is Tatiana Novikova. I was born in Murmansk, Russia, in 1985. My family consisted of 4 people: mom, dad, older sister, and myself. Since our grade system is different, I can say that I graduated from my school with an average point of 4.9 out of 5 in 2002. After school, I passed the exam and became a Murmansk State Pedagogical University student. There, I got a stipend as an honored student. My specialization was Early Childhood Psychology and Development. The primary purpose of our program was to prepare the specialists who could develop the educational programs for the state's kindergartens. In my third year of education, I started to teach kids aged from 1,5 to 3 years. I worked there for three years. I graduated with a Master of Arts in Education with honors in 2007. After graduation, I moved to Saint Petersburg to start my Ph.D. program but did not get a stipend, so I stopped the educational process and only worked. After a couple of years and two maternity leaves, I opened my kindergarten and ran it before I moved to the USA because of my husband's work. My second daughter did not speak before her three years and acted differently than her peers.

I tried to help her. I did research and found that she had three out of nine symptoms of autistic syndrome. After that, I found the classes to become an SLP in Russian Language. In 2021, I graduated from the program with a Russian Language Speech-Language Pathologist certificate. The diagnosis for my daughter was not confirmed, but she struggled with language disease and lousy adaptation. To help her overcome these difficulties and be next to her, I applied for the instructional assistant position at the same school she attended, Dougherty Elementary School, Dublin, CA. There, I met a lot of highly professional specialists who encouraged me to apply for the teacher credential program. I worked as an aide for almost two years, and in 2023, I used to be a teacher. I'm a middle school teacher in the ESN self-contained classroom with eight students there.

Xochitl Lauro

My name is Xochitl Lauro, I am 27 years old, I was born and raised in the East Bay. I am first generation to go and graduate from college. I received my B.A in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Human Development.Currently i’m a graduate student in the Educational Specialist program at Cal State East Bay. I currently teach a Special Day Class grades 9-12. Prior to teaching I worked as a paraprofessional for three years in an extensive support needs special day class with students ranging from 9th-12th grade. I feel in love with my job when I was working as a paraprofessional, which was a big push to join the graduate program so I could become a teacher. I am so excited to be a part of this years Project ASPIRE’s cohort.

Noe Coughenour

Hi, my name is Noe! I moved to the East Bay from Idaho to earn my Masters in Speech Language Pathology. I enjoy film and digital photography in my free time and I love being outside! I am super excited to be an ASPIRE scholar and look forward to my future career as an SLP serving and advocating for the neurodiverse community!

Erika Pendleton

I am a first year student in CSU East Bay’s Speech-Language Pathology extended master’s program. I grew up in the East Bay, completed my undergraduate degree at Mills College in Oakland and served Hayward Unified School District as an elementary school teacher; I am proud to call the East Bay my home. At Mills College I received my bachelor's of science in Biology with a Concentration in Ecology and Animal Behavior with a minor in Mathematics and contributed to research projects about the California ground squirrels in the Mt. Diablo area. I decided to pivot my focus and work with people instead of animals. I taught elementary school classrooms for four years where I found my passion for teaching children.

I plan to continue my service to my community by becoming a public school speech-language pathologist after I graduate. I enjoy working with students and families from culturally diverse backgrounds. I strive for equity and inclusion in my practice, so I am excited to learn more about autism and neurodiversity. I look forward to collaborating with other professionals and with people in the autism community and learning how I can best support my future clients and their families. I am grateful to have this opportunity to participate in ASPIRE!

Robin Taylor

I am thrilled to be in the Project Aspire program. Within my family, there are several people who have autism and I have always wanted to have a broader and deeper understanding of autism. My husband and I have a blended family of four (now) adult children, and one of our “kids” has autism. Years ago, my adult child who has autism received speech-language therapy services from the graduate students at CSUEB. After seeing the positive effects that the speech-language therapy provided, I would have liked to have changed careers from engineering/business in the telecommunications industry to speech-language pathology; however, I was not able to make a career change at that time. I have since retired from telecommunications and am pivoting to become a speech-language pathologist. I am a first year graduate student in the extended program. Regarding autism, based on my personal experiences, I am a solid believer in the merits of early intervention and would like to learn more about current approaches. I am also interested in learning about strategies to facilitate a smooth transition for students with autism from school to their first steps in building an adult life. I am looking forward to learning as much as possible and in the future working with people who have autism. I hope that I may be able to improve their quality of life in small ways. In my “spare” time, I have too many hobbies that I enjoy pursuing: hiking with my husband and our golden retriever, swimming, gardening, welding structures for the garden (arbors), cooking, and remodeling.

Vinita Chaturvedi

I am pursuing my Education Specialist Credential and Master of Science in Special Education with a concentration in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. I am grateful to be a part of Project ASPIRE and broaden my understanding of autism spectrum disorders so that I can better support my students. I started on this journey by taking child psychology classes and studying early childhood education. I am also interested in child language development as it relates to developmental psychology and neurodivergent functioning. My background is in English and Italian literatures. I enjoy yoga, reading, studying, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends.

Sara Gilmartin

I am from San Diego CA. I am currently working in the Poway Unified School District where I attended school, as in intervention teacher for general education and as an onsite substitute teacher. I went to school in Northern California at Shasta College and then to CSU Chico. I am the first person in my immediate family of four to earn a bachelors degree and now I am getting my masters. I have always had a passion for helping young individuals who have learning disabilities, as I have had to learn how to work around my own.

Erica Carreon

My name is Erica Carreon and I’m part of the 2022 extended graduate program. I also completed my undergraduate degree here at CSU East Bay in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and General Management. I have a background working with children as a nanny, daycare employee, and preschool teacher. I’ve always been passionate about helping others and working with children, and I was introduced to the Speech Language Pathology field when my close friend’s son started attending sessions at a clinic. After shadowing sessions and researching the field, I decided to make a career change. I’m excited to be an ASPIRE scholar because I plan to work in either the school or early intervention setting. I’m looking forward to gaining invaluable knowledge that will prepare me as an outspoken advocate for individuals with Autism and be an impactful interprofessional collaborator. I have a lot of public speaking experience and if I work in schools, I hope to be a point person in professional development days to educate fellow staff about the Speech field and Autism.

In my free time, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my friends, family, and boyfriend, going to the gym, and discovering the best spots for food/dessert. I love doing yoga, painting, and going on nature walks as part of my self-care.

Diane Taylor

Hi, my name is Diane Taylor. I am currently a first year Special Education Mild/Moderate graduate student at CSUEB. I received my undergraduate degree from SF State and majored in both Child Adolescent Development and Studio Art/Art History. I decided to go into special education because I believe I can relate to and understand people who have disabilities, since I have a disability myself. When I was young, I was diagnosed with autism. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I started to better understand why I behaved differently in social situations than most people. I hope that by being a participant in Project ASPIRE I will deepen my understanding of autism so I can effectively support other students who have autism. In my journey of self-discovery, I developed a passion for the arts, especially ceramics and painting. I love being on the pottery wheel and creating sculptures that you can’t buy in the store. I’m creative that way. I hope to bring my passion for the arts into my future classroom and to teach students with disabilities that if you have passion for something, then you should strive to develop that passion. I want to teach people that even if someone has a disability, a disability does not have to be a barrier for them in their life. I am honored to be part of Project ASPIRE and can’t wait to see how I can apply what I’ve learned. I am excited to find out what life has to offer.

COHORT 4

Sonja Amoroso

My name is Sonja Amoroso, and I am currently pursuing a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology through the extended program at California State University, East Bay. I was born and raised in a small town on the outskirts of the Bay Area. At UC Berkeley, I studied psychology and received a bachelor's degree. After graduating, I began working in a nonprofit program that sought to empower individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities to expand their artistic abilities. Throughout this experience, I observed firsthand how powerful art was as a tool for self-expression. Despite the intensive work done within the area of creative expression, communication barriers continued to interfere with the artists' daily lives. Supporting these individuals in growing their communication skills was one of the most rewarding and inspiring aspects of my work. These experiences in working with issues arising from communication disruptions led me to pursue a degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Specifically, I connected with autistic children and youth and enjoyed working with the families and teams who supported them. I want to provide services to children and youth in their critical periods of development and to advocate for these individuals within systems that may not always recognize the goals and priorities of the individual. Outside of academics and occupations, I spend time crafting and making art; most recently, my artistic energy has been consumed by printmaking and cut-paper collages. I also love to spend time in the peace provided by the dark understories of our local redwood forests.

Diana Escobedo

Hola, my name is Diana Escobedo. I hold a Child Development degree and am currently pursuing my masters degree in Special Education. I am a proud first generation latina with parents from Mexico and Guatemala. My passion for teaching and working with students on the spectrum has crossed many different fields. From the East Bay to Humboldt county, through aquatics programs, to public schools I have learned and grown as an educator. As I continue my learning through Project ASPIRE, one of my main goals is to target needs, be able to give back to my surrounding latino community and be an advocate for spanish speaking families and individuals. Es importante tener acceso a servicios y apoyo en español en el mundo de la educación especial. Teniendo familiares con autismo, sé lo difícil que pueden ser los procesos y juntas de las escuelas. Estoy dedicada a poder servir a mi comunidad latina y apoyar a estudiantes con autismo y orientar a sus familias.

Brianna Frazer

Hi, my name is Bri. I am a first year CCII Speech-Language Pathology graduate student. I was born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA. I received my Bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in childhood and adolescent development. While in my post-bacc program, I worked at a private practice where I had the opportunity to work with autistic individuals. I was always ambivalent about what area I wanted to specialize in, but the moment I began working with the autistic population it immediately clicked. Ever since then, I have developed an immense passion to learn all there is to know about Autism and be a neurodiversity advocate. Project ASPIRE is what drew me to CSUEB so I am honored and thrilled to be a part of Cohort 4!

Angie Granger

My name is Angie Granger, and I’m a graduate student in the extended Speech-Language Pathology master’s program here at CSUEB. I was born and raised in the East Bay but temporarily relocated to Louisiana to pursue my undergraduate degree in Music Therapy at Loyola University New Orleans. I returned home in 2017 to complete my Music Therapy internship with a focus on mental health. In my free time, I enjoy snuggling with my pets, catching up with friends, and visiting my favorite coffee shops.

Over the years, I have had the joy of connecting with the autistic and neurodivergent community as a summer camp counselor, music therapist, caregiver, behavior therapist, and, most importantly, a friend. All these experiences have enriched my life and motivated me to pursue a career that will allow me to uplift the voices of autistic and neurodivergent individuals. As a future speech therapist, I hope to do just that and be a resource for autistic individuals and their families. I’m delighted to be joining Project ASPIRE’s fourth cohort because I am dedicated to serving this community in alignment with the shifting neurodiversity paradigm. I am confident that my involvement with Project ASPIRE will give me the tools to become an informed, collaborative, and engaged clinician.

Kiley Hoffman

Hi I'm Kiley! I am from Visalia, Ca. I received a bachelor's degree in Linguistics from UCSB and am currently a grad student in the Speech Language Pathology program. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of ASPIRE and am excited to get more involved in activities within the Autistic community. In my free time, I enjoy being outside and writing!

Sierra Overton

My name is Sierra Overton, and I am from Sonoma County, California. I am honored to participate in project ASPIRE as a current Speech Pathology Master's student. I completed my bachelor's in psychology at Sonoma State University in 2018 and a Post Baccalaureate for Speech Pathology at Cal State University San Marcos in 2021. My career goal has always been wanting to help others and work with children. Through a private practice, I assisted and led adaptive behavior groups designed to assist kids and adults with autism. I found a deep connection with my clients and wanted to know more about how to help them and their families best. I learned about the role of a Speech Language Pathologist and knew what I wanted to do. This role sparked my interest and desire to support and advocate for children with autism. I am excited to learn, grow, and collaborate with the Special Education Masters students to discover new tools in this field. Throughout this program, I hope to gain a lot of experience with autism and build a network that will support working as a school Speech Pathologist. In my free time, I love hiking, bike rides, playing with my niece, and hanging out with my boyfriend and friends.

Alexis Moreno

Alexis is an SLHS Graduate student.

Mauria Harris

Hi, my name is Mauria Harris, I was born and raised in the Bay Area and honestly hope to continue to live here. I’m a mom of 2 cool kids, a five year old and a newborn and they are the highlight of my day. I like reading manga and watching anime. Some of my hobbies consist of drawing and bike riding. I also really love animals, currently have one cat and a dog. When not working I try to stay active or don something creative which I usually bring to work that my kids usually enjoy, I try to keep a lot of activities available.

I’ve spent three years as an RBT working with children and I thought why not further my career and become an ESN teacher. From working with the kiddos I’ve been with, it really made me want to do more for those who are on the spectrum and try to create a better school environment for them. Besides working with students, my main reason for becoming a teacher is thanks to one of my high school teachers that I am still friends with, she helped me through a tough time in my life. I just hope to be a similar support to my future students.

Michal Levachev-Kelly

My name is Michal Levachev-Kelly. I was born and raised in Israel, where I received my Bachelor's degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. I moved to the US in 2021, and am currently a first year CC II graduate clinician in the Speech Language and Hearing Sciences department. Working with autistic individuals was always a passion of mine and it was strengthened by participating in Conversation Club as part of the College Link Program. I am excited to be part of the ASPIRE program, learn more about neurodiversity and become the best advocate I can be.

Katie Inoue

My name is Katie Inoue. I am studying at CSUEB for my M.S. in Special Education. I was born in Santa Fe, NM where I resided for 16 years before moving to Cape Cod, MA. I obtained my BA in Fine Arts from Westfield State University in Westfield, MA. After living in MA for 6 years, I packed up the car for the big adventure out west, and headed out for California. I have lived here for 6 years. Since moving here, I’ve worked a bunch of different jobs, trying to find something that fit. Finally, I became a Behavior Technician for a company that works with children with ASD. I knew I had found my calling, and began a new path as I applied to graduate school at CSUEB. I have had a wonderful first semester, and have chosen to pursue being an RSP SPED Teacher for elementary school after graduation. In my spare time, I enjoy doing art, taking adventures around the Golden State, trying new restaurants, and watching movies. I have a guinea pig named Squeeks, and I am a super plant mom!

Alexandria Tollast

Hello! My name is Alexandria Tollast and I am a first year CC2 speech language pathology graduate student. I am a mother of three, 10, 4, and 1 and they keep my days busy when I am not working on school. I obtained my undergraduate degree from East Bay and I have been actively involved in research, volunteer, and work-study jobs to further my knowledge and experience of working with a wide range of individuals with different communication needs. I first became interested in Autism after my oldest was diagnosed on the spectrum. This is also how I became aware of the field of speech pathology and I knew I had found my calling. I always wanted to work with children and work within a school environment to support children to be the best learners and individuals they can be. I am excited to be a part of Project Aspire and to learn how to collaborate with special education teachers to better support individuals with autism and their families. I strongly believe that working with other disciplines will further my ability to serve all individuals more effectively by looking at the needs of the people I serve with different perspectives.

Bao-Quyen Tran

Hi! I go by BQ and I am currently in my first year of the Mild/Mod Education Specialist credential and Master's program. I am originally from Westminster, CA and received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and post-bac multiple subject teaching credential at the California State University of Long Beach. Go Beach! I have had the privilege of teaching general education ELA for 7 years throughout the state of California. I have also taught Adult Basic Education, high school diploma and GED programs in Visalia, CA. This year, I transitioned from general education to RSP and it has truly been a worthwhile experience. I still have so much more to learn about the neurodivergent population and I am grateful for this opportunity to be a member of Project ASPIRE’s Cohort 4. I am excited to collaborate with speech language pathologists to better support our students. I have a passion for animals and currently share my home with our two rescue pitbulls, New Caledonian giant gecko, crested gecko, Kenyan sand boa, and red-footed tortoise. On the weekends, I work as a server at a local Japanese handroll restaurant. I am used to staying busy! Although I have lived in Oakland for the past five years, I still love to explore the bay area on my days off.

COHORT 3

Alison Ramos

Hi, my name is Alison and I am from Sonoma County, California. I am current graduate student obtaining my masters in speech pathology. I earned my BA in speech pathology and audiology with a minor in developmental disabilities from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2018. Shortly after I became a licensed speech-language pathology assistant in 2020. Working as a speech language pathology assistant in a private practice allowed me to work in a culturally and socioeconomic diverse environment. As a SLPA I was given the opportunity to lead an adaptive behavior group program designed to assist children and teens with autism. This role sparked my interest in Project ASPIRE and motivated me to continue working with families and children with autism.

Arcadia Garcia

Bryan Farley

I am an art educator, father and photographer. I have also lived with epilepsy since I was 16. Recently, I have been working to combine my passion and life experience to have a more integrated and fulfilling life.

David Perez

Hello my name is David Perez I’m currently working in a high school setting with a special day class. I’m currently a first year Education Specialist program student, I just moved back to the Bay Area from SoCal where I studied Music Education and Voice. I’ve work in Education settings for the last 6 years in various capacities. In my free time I try to travel as much as possible with friends and find other ways to grow in my career.

Ellie Moore

My name is Ellie Moore, and I am currently in my second year pursuing a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at CSUEB. After earning my B.A. at the University of Colorado, Boulder, I worked for several years in the arts before entering the educational field. I worked as an elementary art teacher at a small private school in the Boston area. At the same time, I was substitute teaching in a pre-k inclusion program within the public schools. I relocated to the Bay Area in 2018, and spent two magical years, first as a teacher’s assistant and then as a classroom teacher, serving autistic and intellectually disabled children. I taught at a small school that supported students whose learning styles the public school system could not accommodate. It was there that I first felt a deep connection with the children that I was teaching. It was also there that I first witnessed the impact that speech-language pathology can have for those who are non- or minimally-verbal. My goal is to focus my studies and my career on autism and intellectual disability. In particular, I would like to specialize in the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) within these populations. My hope is to help individuals to access the tools that can aid in building connections within their communities. I am thrilled to be joining the ASPIRE program in order to continue to learn and grow in order to best serve my future clients. In my free time, I enjoy hikes with my dog and partner, making art, gardening, and exploring new foods.

Giana Ramirez

Hello, I am working on my Masters and Credential in Special Education, mild/moderate support needs. I have my BS in Health Science with a minor in Human Development (child development). I am a mother of three and currently work for WCCUSD as a sub teacher. I never saw myself working as a teacher as I knew the headache I may have been for my teachers in grades 5th-8th. The love of children drew me to work in preschools. Once my own kids where in school, I found myself volunteering as much as possible. Eventually I decided to give sub teaching a shot and found that I loved it. Here I am now eager to learn more about children with Autism.

Katelynn Setness

Hi! My name is Kate Setness and I am currently attending the CSUEB Master's program in Speech and Language Pathology. I completed my undergraduate studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and then did a post-baccalaureate year through CSU San Marcos. Prior to getting into graduate school, I worked as an ABA technician serving children with Autism for almost 2 years. I greatly enjoyed that professional experience and loved serving this community, and wanted to get more involved once I started school again. I am excited that the ASPIRE program will give me the tools to be the best possible clinician when serving students and/or clients with Autism in the future years of my professional practice. In my spare time, I enjoy working out, being outside, enjoying time with friends and family, and listening to music. I look forward to learning all that I can in the semesters to come!

Londyn Edwards

My name is Londyn Edwards (They/She) and I am in the speech therapy master’s program here at CSU East Bay. I am a California kid through and through, having lived in the Sacramento area, Los Angeles area, Inland Empire, and now, the bay area. I enjoy making and experiencing art in all forms, whether by listening to new music, drawing, painting, sewing patches on almost every piece of clothing I own, watching foreign films, reading comics, or by going to concerts, museums, thrift stores, and galleries. After graduating with my bachelor’s in communication sciences and disorders from CSU Sacramento, I served as a paraeducator at a title one independent study high school while simultaneously advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in both education and healthcare settings. I am excited to be a part of this Project ASPIRE cohort and hope to use what I learn here to further uplift the voices of autistic individuals in the community.

Mandy Beri

Mandy Beri is currently a middle school Resource Specialist in Oakland, CA. At school, she organizes her students' Gender & Sexuality Alliance and is the Sex Ed Lead. She is Autistic and Deaf. Mandy was the first in her family to graduate high school and she earned her degree with high honors in Social Welfare at UC Berkeley. Mandy believes that teaching and social work are inseparable from one another, and sees her students as whole persons. As a disabled person, she feels strongly about identity-first language and hopes to teach her colleagues the importance of de-stigmatizing disability, and her students to understand themselves better and be proud of who they are. In her spare time, Mandy likes to decorate her face with colorful pigments, collect an absurd amount of plants, play board games and RPGs, and sew historical costumes. She is often seen contra dancing and organizing events for her queer, POC, and Autistic communities.

Nadia Bellafronte

My name is Nadia Bellafronte, and I was born and raised in the East Bay. From a young age, I knew I wanted to go into the field of education, specifically teaching elementary school. However, I was not expecting to discover my love for working with the Special Education Community. I am currently a General Education 4th grade teacher in Pittsburg, CA. I began here 5 years ago after completing my Bachelors in Liberal and Civic Studies and Masters in Teaching at Saint Mary’s College of California. During my time teaching, I became the Special Education Mainstream Partner for our students in our Autism Specific Special Day Classes at our site. This process helped me to discover my love for working with students with special needs. I then went on to help develop our Reading Buddies program which partners my 4th grade General Education students with our lower grade SDC students to read and mutually benefit both groups of children. Because of this experience, I am now pursuing my Education Specialist Credential and Masters at CSUEB. I decided to apply and become part of Project ASPIRE as it will allow me to learn more about the community I have grown so passionate about in the past 5 years. My goal is to become a Special Education Teacher and serve the Autism community at my site or any other site that may offer the opportunity in the future. I am thrilled to be a part of the ASPIRE community, and I cannot wait to see where this learning journey takes me.

Noele Paris

My name is Noele Paris and I am from Martinez, CA. I am currently teaching a 3rd - 5th grade Special Education Day class. Over the many years I have worked in education I have developed a love for providing support to students with special needs. My experience has included both providing direct support to students and training educators how to provide support. Inclusion is an area I am particularly focused on, which includes special education and the general education population. I provide guidance on how to have a successful and inclusive social and learning environment together. I am passionate about ensuring all students receive the education they are entitled to. This includes working with other educators and student families to educate them about modern education methods that work. I am currently working on my Master’s program at Cal state East Bay to become an Education Specialist. I am excited to be a part of ASPIRE! I am grateful to be a part of this program that will provide me with many opportunities to learn and grow as an educator.

Soujanya Konatalapalli

Hi, I am Soujanya Konatalapalli and I am a graduate student in the extended Masters program in Speech-Language Pathology. I returned to school after being a stay-at-home mom for almost two decades. I got interested in Speech Pathology, when I got a chance to observe a Speech Pathologist work with children at an elementary school, while volunteering for a project. I am grateful to be a part of Project Aspire, which will provide me opportunities to enhance my skills and help me become a better SLP. Besides school, my family and dog keep me busy. I am an amateur artist and love to paint, garden and travel.

Sparkle Phelps

My name is Sparkle Phelps and I was born in Oakland. I have worked with youth in various capacities for nearly twenty years. I am excited to be working toward earning Education Specialist credentials in M/M disabilities and a Master of Science in Special Education simultaneously. Too, I am excited to be a part of Project ASPIRE and look forward to all that I will learn and experience. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner and am eager to gain as much knowledge as I possibly can to better serve the youth in my community. I currently work as a Resource Specialist with K-5 students with/without specific learning disabilities. My favorite thing about being a Resource Specialist is working closely with students to ensure that they learn useful strategies that go beyond setting them up for success in meeting their IEP goals. When I am not working or in school, I really enjoy spending quality time with my six year old daughter. We make Tik Toks, cook, clean, play games, read, write, do arts and crafts, do acts of kindness for friends, family and/or people that we do not know, etc. When I get time to myself, I enjoy going for walks, working on business plans, listening to music, narrowing down my To Do List and eating yummy food. Some of my favorite things are a show called Good Trouble, milk chocolate Dove candy, Goodwill for shopping, Chili flavored Top Ramen noodles, candles and body spray.

Tammara Nalls

My name is Tammara Nalls , I am working on my credentials in MOD/ESN and Masters in special education. I currently work at Oakland unified school district as a MOD/ESN teacher. I work in a 3rd -5th grade Autism Specific classroom. I have worked in special education in some form or another for over 20yrs. I have owned and operated a home for dual diagnosed mentally disabled adults. I worked as a paraprofessional for 13yrs. I am excited to be a part of the ASPIRE program, so that I can learn more about the Autistic community. I want to be able to advocate for my classroom families and provide them with as much information as I can.

COHORT 2

Alyssa Ross

My name is Alyssa Ross. I was born in San Francisco and raised in Daly City, CA. I have always had a passion to work with children. In pursuit of my dream, I received my B.A in Child and Adolescent Development, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and a minor in Special Education (SPED) in 2016 from San Francisco State University. In reflecting on my experience working in a preschool classroom my last two years as an undergraduate, I found my most rewarding moments working with the children one-on-one or in small groups. It was in those moments I got to know them best and support them in the classroom most effectively. After shadowing several speech therapists, I confirmed my interest in pursuing a career as a speech-language pathologist. Over the last few years, while taking graduate school prerequisites, I volunteered at Stanford’s Outpatient Neuro Rehab Clinic, at a local elementary school’s Reading Partner’s Program and at AbilityPath. I applied to be a part of Project ASPIRE to learn how to support and serve Autistic children and their families more effectively. Additionally, I am excited to combine my speech-language pathology training (career) with my background in SPED as I work with future special educators in this program. In my free time, I enjoy creative activities (painting, crocheting, etc.), exercising and spending time with family/friends.

Anna Treidler

Anna Treidler works for the Oakland Unified School District as an Mild/Moderate Inclusion Specialist at Joaquin Miller Elementary School. She is a first year student at CSU East Bay in the Mild/Moderate Education Specialist program. She loves teaching kids about creative writing and bringing the classroom outdoors with activities like soccer or gardening. Through Project ASPIRE, Anna hopes to develop her knowledge of autism so that she can better support her students. She plans to continue teaching in inclusive special education programs at public elementary and middle schools.

Chase Worthen

I am so excited to be a part of Project ASPIRE’s second cohort! I am in the Ed Specialist program for ESN at Cal State East Bay and am working towards becoming a Special Education teacher. I know that being a member of ASPIRE will help me to become a skilled and effective educator for my current and future students. Outside of teaching, my hobbies include running--I’m currently a student athlete on the CSUEB Cross Country and Track and Field teams--, hiking, reading, painting, and spending quality time with friends and family. I am looking forward to a great year!

Delanie Chrisman

My name is Delanie and I am getting my master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at CSUEB as part of the c/o 2022 CCII cohort. I completed my undergraduate degree at SFSU with a bachelor's in Communicative Disorders and a minor in Special Education. I am beyond excited to be a part of Project ASPIRE as I am passionate about gaining new knowledge and perspectives that will guide me in working with students with autism throughout my career. I am equally excited to work alongside special educators and other professionals in the field. I have lived in the Bay Area for nearly 7 years and have enjoyed the diverse community and opportunities it offers, alongside exciting cuisine, nature, and events!

Emella Canlas

My name is Emella Canlas and I am a Year 1 student in CSUEB's Special Education Program. I am originally from Los Angeles, but I moved to Northern California to attend the University of California, Davis for my undergraduate studies. Shortly after graduation, I began working with young children on the spectrum as a behavior technician. This is where my interest in both Applied Behavioral Analysis and Special Education began. Though I hope to one day become a behavior analyst, I know the knowledge I will accrue as a special educator will make me all the more innovative in my career. I am so grateful to be participating in Project ASPIRE and hope to embody its mission throughout its duration and beyond.

Jenna Heer

I am currently a first year in the extended graduate program for speech language pathology at CSUEB. I am so grateful to be able to participate in this grant as I have been working with people diagnosed with Autism ever since I was about 12 years old. I hope to gain new experiences working with people in different fields and finding ways to increase inter-professional collaboration to better serve our clients.

Karinne Nevarez

Hello, my name is Karinne Nevarez. I earned my associates degree in psychology, sociology, and liberal arts behavioral sciences at my local community college and then I transferred to San Diego State University where I graduated summa cum laude. Now, I am in my second semester of grad school here at CSU East Bay. I hope to work as a speech-language pathologist at a school or in a hospital and eventually pursue research- though I am not set on any particular path. I am very excited, and just as grateful, to be a part of the ASPIRE project where I can enhance my education and strengthen my skills as a future SLP. When I'm not in class, you can find me exploring new coffee shops, learning about environmental science, taking care of my blue tongue skink Pepper, traveling new places when I can, or roller skating (though I am not the best at that).

Lucas Vasquez

Hi I'm Lucas Vasquez. I am a first year Education Specialist candidate and have worked in an Oakland elementary school as a paraeducator for about two years. Though I have always been passionate about education and have long understood that spending my worklife with kids is much more fun than spending it with adults, my path to special education has not been direct. I worked with kids in a variety of ways, as an after school teacher, a coach, a camp counselor and tutor, for years while pursuing my artistic goals of music and writing. When I started working as a para I absolutely fell in love with some of the kids who I supported. Supporting students with special needs felt like the perfect combination of thought, creativity, and growth; all in the pursuit of a better life for individuals and a more just and compassionate culture. In my free time I hang out with my partner and our cats (they've made many zoom appearances), I play music, explore Oakland on my bike, and play hockey. I'm a huge A's fan and cannot wait to go to a baseball game again!

Marisela Mattos

My name is Marisela Mattos and I am very excited to be a part of the second cohort of Project ASPIRE, as a Speech Pathology Master’s student. Project ASPIRE sparked my interest because it would allow me to dive deeper into learning all there is to know about Autism. Throughout the next two years, I hope to gain a lot of experience with the autism community through service-learning opportunities. Additionally, I hope to collaborate with my colleagues who have a background in special education so that we can put our thoughts together to work on new ideas, supports, and techniques when working with an individual on the Autism spectrum. In the future, I would like to work in any school setting level, including non-public schools. A few fun facts about me are that I have three adorable cats and one loving dog. I also enjoy watching Warriors games with my family, finding new hiking spots, and trying new cooking recipes!self-perceptions of adults with autism in college and/or post-secondary education settings. Research on college life and experiences for adults with autism essentially.

Manu Wong

My name is Manu Wong. I am in the Education Specialist/MS Education program. I currently work as a Paraprofessional in a Full Inclusion Program in an elementary school setting where I support students with Autism. I felt that I needed more knowledge and tools to be able to better support them and am thrilled to have this opportunity to learn of ways that I can, not only, support my students but also share information with my colleagues that will improve our practice.I graduated with my Bachelors’ Degree, Anthropology major from Waikato University, New Zealand in 1995, three months before coming to the United States to visit family. My original plan was to eventually join my friends from college, in Japan, to teach English. So, I completed coursework and received a Certificate to Teach English as a Second Language from UC Berkeley Extension. During this time though I met my husband and plans changed to setting down roots in the United States, getting married and raising our family. In 2017 as the youngest of our five children began first grade, I applied to be a substitute teacher. In my application process it was found that my Bachelors’ Degree did not have the equivalent number of credits as an American baccalaureate degree. I then enrolled to take the classes I needed to gain the equivalent number of credits. I completed coursework and graduated with a Bachelors’ Degree from Excelsior College, Albany, NY in July 2020. I began the Education Specialist Program at CSU East Bay in the Fall 2020 semester and was extremely excited to hear about Project ASPIRE because it was just the opportunity that I was looking for to learn more about how I can best support the students with Autism I support currently and when I get my own classroom. I have already gained a lot of insight thus far and look forward to learning more.

Myla Duane

Myla Duane is a second year SLHS Extended Graduate Student. She enjoys volunteering with Villa Esperanza, a non-profit organization that works with intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals. As a future Speech Language Pathologist, Myla hopes to specialize in Autism, and eventually have her own private practice. When she is not volunteering with Villa Esperanza or studying for classes, you can find her volunteering with her non-profit organization that she co-founded, or running her event planning business. At the end of the day, Myla still loves to curl up with a great book, or watch some of her favorite T.V. shows!

Olivia Christensen

My name is Olivia Christensen a current graduate student at Cal State University East Bay. I am in the process of obtaining my masters and education specialist credential in order to become a special education teacher. I am super excited to be working in a field that I am so passionate about and can’t wait to create innovative and unique ways to teach people of all walks of life. I love reading, dogs, & coffee!

Omar Aguilar

Greetings! My name is Omar Aguilar and I am currently attending a Special Education Program at California State University, East Bay. It has been a wonderful pleasure to be a part of the Aspire community! My objective is to obtain a productive and rewarding position within a professional academic setting; I am working hard to obtain clearance for a Special Education Teaching Credential. As a SPED instructor I want to apply my previous work experiences, knowledge, and advocacy towards helping communities with disabilities. In the past I have worked as a Registered behavior Technician guiding youths with behavior and academic challenges within their everyday living. It has become my passion and life goal to provide all the resources and tools that I can to bring out the best in each individual. I believe that these population deserves tolerance, full inclusion, and equal representation; SPED students deserve fair treatment to an appropriate and just education.

Rachel Carpender

Rachel Carpender is a 4th generation teacher, based in Oakland. She is teaching a Mod/ESN special day class while completing her Education Specialist credential and masters degree program. She is enjoying Project Aspire and how it is supporting her in collaborating with her Speech Language Pathologist colleagues and providing her guidance on how to best support her students with autism. In her free time she enjoys dancing, gardening, and cuddling up with her cat Tuesday.

Shika Narayan

My name is Shika and I am a first-year graduate student in the SLHS department. I am very excited to be a part of the second cohort of Project ASPIRE! Prior to the pandemic, I had the privilege of working as a substitute aide in SDC and RSP classes for a year and a half. It was fascinating to get insight into how school-based multidisciplinary teams work through this experience. I'm very excited to delve further into this through Project Aspire, along with learning from the unique perspectives that both speech pathologists and education specialists garner. I'm eager to learn more about how to better support clients with Autism, and I'm particularly interested in supporting adults with Autism as they transition out of the school system. In my free time I can usually be found writing, baking, or trying to keep up new 'at home' projects with varying success (currently trying to brew kombucha, wish me luck!).

Tatiana Cruz Galarza

My name is Tatiana Cruz Galarza. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico but I’ve been living in California since 2011. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy from Carlos Albizu University-San Juan in 2010. During these past 10 years I have worked as a clerk at a store, a caregiver at a preschool, an early interventionist, an ABA, and lastly, and currently as a Speech and Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) at the school setting. I come from a family of educators and since a young age, I have known that I wanted to work with children. In 2017 I made the decision to further my knowledge and get a master’s degree to better support and serve children and families in my community. I love traveling, camping, hiking, reading, going thrifting with my sister and niece, and going to the movies (in non-pandemic times, of course!).

COHORT 1

Alicia Baatrup

My name is Alicia Baatrup and I'm currently a second year Speech, Language, and Hearing graduate student at CSUEB. I am also a wife and mother of two. I attended CSUEB as an undergraduate, and obtained my bachelors degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Ethnic Studies. I'm a native of Desert Hot Springs, California, but have made a home here in the Bay Area. I enjoy spending time outdoors, going on hikes, bike rides, and playing basketball. I also enjoy being around people and eating food that I did not cook.

Allison Ruiz

Hi, my name is Allison Ruiz. I am 30 years old and a single mother of two amazing toddlers. I have been working in an Autism specific 5th-6th grade classroom for two years now. I used to be a ballet instructor and nanny. My parents were both teachers within Hayward, one as a high school teacher and the other in elementary school (working with students between 2nd and 5th grade). I love working closely with each family in my classroom and look for ways to better their daily lives and understand the strengths and unique skills of their children that might be overlooked by the daily struggles they face. I look forward to becoming more versed in the world of individuals with autism and learn from the community, for ways that I can personally help.

Amy Ortiz

I am currently pursuing my second master´s degree and teaching credential in Special Education. I currently work as a Resource Specialist in public school, supporting students with a variety of learning differences, including students on the autism spectrum. I worked closely with children with autism for several years, as an in-home behavior interventionist. In that time I saw how difficult it is for individuals with autism to navigate the world, and have a deep passion for improving conditions for them and their families so they may live as independently as possible. I am very happy to be a part of Project ASPIRE, and to be able to increase my capacity to work for equity and inclusion for neurodiverse individuals.

Annissa White

My name is Annissa White and I am from Santa Rosa, CA! I love anything brightly colored, fresh flowers, and being with family and friends. While earning my BA in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Special Games, where I coached athletes with special needs of all kinds. I loved it so much that I decided to become a Behavioral Interventionist after graduating. While doing this, I did a year of post-bacc classes in speech-language pathology online through Idaho State University. The following year I began my Master's program here at East Bay to become an SLP. I have family members who have Autism, so it is close to my heart. I am so excited to be part of the inaugural cohort of Project ASPIRE!

Bing Xue

I am a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program. While Speech-Language Pathology covers diverse areas ranging from dysphagia to communication disorders, I am particularly interested in working with people with autism. Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist stemmed from my hope to provide life-long support to my 12-year-old daughter with autism. After almost 2 years in the program, I am pretty determined to work with kids either in a clinical or a school setting after graduation. I really appreciate that Project Aspire integrates evidence-based education and service learning to prepare us to become an Autism specialist and offers a high level of collaboration between Special Education and Speech-Language Pathology, which would enable me to be successful both in my future career and as a parent.

Catherine Mace

I have a B.A. in Creative Writing with a minor in Education from the University of California, Riverside and am currently in the process of completing my M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at California State University, East Bay. I have over two years of experience working with individuals with autism as a Behavior Technician (BT), providing in-home and clinic-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services. While I have enjoyed working with toddlers, children, and teens with autism, my main passion has been working in early intervention with toddlers and their families. I am excited to be a part of Project ASPIRE and to learn how to take a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to speech and language therapy when supporting individuals with autism and their families.

Clara Ackerman

I am a Speech and Language Pathology masters student. I have worked with children with special needs including autism in a range of jobs including substitute teacher, para-educator, ABA therapist, and tutor. Currently I am a research assistant in a study on how children and families use AAC devices. In the future I hope to be a school based speech pathologist to help children learn to communicate in ways that are functional and fulfilling for them and those around them. I became interested in autism through my work as an ABA therapist and para-educator and I am passionate about learning more about autism and how best to meet each child on the spectrum's individual language needs. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, reading and craft projects.

Emily Wirth

As a current SPED teacher working with students who have autism and are nonverbal, I want to support my learners as much as I can. I hope to gain resources and knowledge to meet their needs, and build a community that supports them so they can grow. I want to develop plans that include the most support and help for my learners, and create a resource bank for each individual that follows them throughout their educational journey and beyond.

Erika Brindopke

I'm a Special Education Teacher in the Counseling Enriched Classroom at Mt. Eden High School. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of the Pacific in 2016 and began my journey in the Counseling Enriched realm of education. I was a Mental Health Counselor from 2016-2018 before becoming a Teacher. Given my previous background of work, when I teach a child, I take into account, not only their intellectual well being, but emotional, social, and physical wellbeing as well. I'm specifically interested in working with students who have Autism because they are incredibly unique individuals and I am inspired by the way they see the world. I want to ensure they have equal access to opportunities as their peers. When I'm not working, you can catch me dancing or doing yoga. I am a Zumba Instructor on the side and have found dance to be a space of healing and community! I'm honored to be part of Project Aspire and excited for what I will learn throughout this journey.

Jeanette Ortiz

My name is Jeanette Ortiz and I am a graduate student in the Speech Pathology program. I first started my career working in an early intervention program for children with speech and language delays, global developmental delays or children exhibiting red flags for autism. I fell in love with this field because it is a rewarding job and you see the difference it makes. I now work at the Regional Center of the East Bay as Case Manager for the Early Start Program. I want to be a speech therapist because I want to teach children how to communicate their wants and needs. As a Case Manager I have seen the need for more speech therapist, especially bilingual speech therapist. I am a dedicated and look forward to making a difference in children’s lives.

Jennifer Belmont

I am working on a Master of Science in Special Education with a Concentration in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. I teach Special Day Classes in English Language Arts and Mathematics at Oakland Technical High School and also serve as an Inclusion Specialist for ninth and tenth graders with Autism. My passion is incorporating Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports to build prosocial skills that can help my students succeed in the classroom and beyond. I also love the rich culture in the Bay Area and getting out into the stunning natural beauty as much as possible.

Jennifer Williams

I am currently serving in the Hayward Unified School District as a Mild/Moderate Education Specialist focusing on the topics of intervention and coding education. Before entering the teaching profession officially in 2018, I passionately advocated for after-school education and enrichment opportunities for students who live in underserved communities, which includes students with disabilities, students of color, English Learners and students who live in lower-income communities. The highlights of my after-school work include serving as the Program Manager and Lead Tutor for the 4Ward Academic Center in San Mateo for five years. I am proud to be selected as a member of the inaugural Project ASPIRE cohort because its goals are aligned with my advocacy work. I hope to use the knowledge and experience gained during my time in Project ASPIRE to launch a year-round East Bay after school intervention and summer enrichment program that will support students and families who cannot afford expensive alternatives or live in areas where programs are at capacity. Project ASPIRE will also help shape the design of the program to more effectively meet the needs of students that are not met by the traditional educational system. When I am not busy teaching and advocating, I enjoy coding, writing, working out and watching sports.

Joanna Dablantes

Joanna Dablantes is an Education Specialist and SPED Department Chair at KIPP King Collegiate High School. She will attain her Master's of Science in Education this year. Joanna graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies in 2015 and started her journey in education working with high school students in Special Education as a paraeducator in 2018. Prior to this, Joanna worked as an EMT for the county of Alameda. Going forward, she plans to continue working with high school students in Special Education and eventually transition to work with students in elementary school. In her spare time, Joanna enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and rock climbing.

Kira Bearss

My name is Kira Bearss, and I currently work as a Full Inclusion Support Teacher at Willard Middle School, supporting 6th grade students with Extensive Support Needs. Shortly after graduating with my B.A. in English Literature from U.C. Berkeley, I began my career in education working as an instructional assistant at Anova, a non-public school for students with Autism. After spending two years at Anova while also working as a one-to-one for a young man with Autism after school and on weekends, I attended Holy Names University, where I earned my M. Ed. in Urban Education and my single subject secondary teaching credential in English/Language Arts. I worked as a general education teacher for 5 years, teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Language Arts and Literature at Saint Leo the Great School. By my 5th year in general ed., I knew in my heart it was time to return to special education. I enrolled at Cal State East Bay to earn my Education Specialist (M/S) credential and my M.S. in Special Education, and began my current job at Willard. I am extremely excited to be part of Project ASPIRE, and look forward to diving more in-depth in my learning and professional development surrounding working with individuals with Autism.

Ogechi Okeke

My name is Ogechi and I grew up in Los Angeles with both of my dad who was a high school teacher my mom who is an elementary school special education teacher. I spent the first two years after graduating college as a high school biology, environmental science, and special education teacher. Now, as a graduate student in speech-language pathology, I have spent time focusing on bilingual child language development as well as developing my knowledge about autism in children and adults. I have spent time reading research about the criminal justice’s role in autism and how to bring awareness and acceptance to those in the criminal justice system who might interact with a person with autism.

Siana Belfiore

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