Since 2006, I have held a myriad of roles serving the youth who are less fortunate, abandoned and or neglected. Many of those roles were directly working with students who have special needs as young as 4 years to 22 years of age. I obtained my BS Degree in Criminal Justice two years later.I have had the privilege working as a 1:1 to support children who have autism and as an instructional aide with McKinley’s Canyon View School and held a part time job as a behavioral specialist providing respite to families who have children with special needs. I became the case manager for the autism program at McKinley for a short while before returning back to the class room teaching as a long term sub at Mckinley’s Children’s Center Canyon View School, for about 6 months in a high school class. My experience and skills continued to broaden working in group homes (McKinley and Eggleston). I needed to be more involved, which led me to working in the adoptions department at Mckinley for short while, working in conjunction with the courts and other professional entities.I then obtained my MA in Forensic Psychology. With the extensive trainings and multiple certificates earned, my education, skills and experience at this point have really began to allow me to engage with students through positive behavioral interventions, and through social emotional learning.I decided to explore the mental health world. I then became a Therapeutic Behavioral Specialist (TBS) Coach for students with behavioral challenges that are in danger of placement and or have behavioral challenges that prevent them from engaging in school.Shortly after, I assisted in a pilot program as a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS) along with a Clinical Therapist in the Student Opportunity for Academic Success Program (S.O.A.R.), where we collaborated with staff and met with students and families regularly on campus and at the home.I then decided to focus on becoming a full time Foster Care Social Worker. It wasn’t as expected and turned out that I spent more time with paper than humans. However, I loved the ability to really advocate for the kids, so I decided to become a foster parent and continue to work in foster care as a per diem foster care social worker.The path that I was destined to take, led me right back to working students In a school setting. That’s where I was given the opportunity to work in the special education department at Chaffey High School and fortunate to be selected to be a part of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Site Team Committee.