About Teresa Cherry-Cruz: Teresa is a licensed certified speech Language Pathologist. She holds a master’s degree In Special Education and Communication Disorders. She also holds an advanced degree in educational leadership.   For more than 30 years Teresa has served in the educational arena as the Director of Speech Language and Hearing Services. She stands on the bedrock belief that communication is power.  Teresa has witnessed how both constructive and destructive communicative engagements have on the design and implementation of educational programs for students and families with special needs.

As a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell team, Teresa partners with special educators and families in creating, building, and strengthening IEP teams to use their communication skills to courageously imagine, design, and implement equitable educational programs that honor, respect and empower students with special needs



In this episode, Chabidaye and Teresa discuss:

• Special Education to meet the unique needs of children
• How special education programs are developed
• The compliance laws and federal mandates surrounding special education
• The benefits, features, and promise of special education
  
   

Key Takeaways:

• The mission of special education is to provide those students who have special needs with development opportunities and a learning process to improve their quality of life
• The TEAMS process is about shifting our mindset from compliance to commitment
• Special education service is a doorway for opportunity 
• Look to see if the team is intentional and the child is the center of the design

"Whatever steps we take, we're always connected to somebody else's first steps and children grow into the conversations we have with them, about them and around them." —  Teresa Cherry-Cruz



Connect with Teresa Cherry-Cruz:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/teresacherrycruz

CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:
 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadandlift/

Website: https://leadandlift.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/

Show notes by Podcastologist: Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath

Audio production by Premier Podcast Promotions

CONNECT WITH CHABIDAYE:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chabidaye.ramnath.3

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chabidaye/

Website: https://leadandlift.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chabidayejaglalramnath/

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.