Words from our founder

It is difficult to explain why I created Special Education Assessments and Support (SEAS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, without sounding cliché. The reality is that I have a deep desire of giving back to those children to whom I relate to. Creating SEAS and being an educational psychologist is an opportunity to fulfill a deeply rooted dream. A dream of being that person who can advocate, drive, inspire, and counsel children with learning disabilities, troubled youth, and children who are underprivileged into pursuing a higher education.

I am a first generation Latina in this country, with traditional Hispanic parents that worked the crops as a consequence to their minimal education. I know what it’s like to live in poverty. Moreover, I know the distractions that result from a broken family, and the pressures that come with being raised in these environments. I can honestly say that I was in high school and new nothing of the term four year institution, or college. I figured, “my mother worked and my job was to go to school.” I want to break that mentality in our children, because I know that the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow. I consider myself lucky for being blessed with the opportunity of attending a four year institution given my background and my upbringings. I am also a strong believer that everything in life happens for a reason. I strongly believe I was given the gift of education so that I may inspire other children to do the same.

It is a fact that a vast majority of minority children belong to low income households, and because of their parents overworked status, and main preoccupations in making ends meet, these children are deprived the fundamental attention that they need from home. In addition, many of these children have English as their second language, and in many circumstances their parents have less than the primary education. A combination of these factors makes it difficult for many minority and low income parents to understand, assist, and guide their children through their educational endeavors. Given these reasons it is easy to understand why gang affiliation, teenage pregnancy, and the high school dropout rate is so prevalent in our minority and low income children. It is through gang affiliation that many of these children and young adolescents find the attention, respect, loyalty, and power that is nonexistent in their household. It is also necessary to clarify that however enticing a gang affiliation may be, it proves to be chaotic and destructive. I know and understand this because I was raised in these types of environments. I know from first hand experience that streets that are abundant in poverty teach children too early in life to drop and cover at the first sound of gun shots. You learn that these types of streets are regulated by the rivalry that exists amongst local gangs. This is an environment that inevitably contaminates children, and neglects to teach them the true meaning of education and the value of knowledge. I want to inspire these children, lead by example, and show them that they have healthier options.

Giving life to SEAS is an opportunity to help children excel. It is my goal that all students have access to the resources they need to excel academically. This is why it is vital that parent’s know their child’s educational rights, so that they may advocate for them. In addition, I want to inspire children to the point that they fall in love with knowledge, and that by doing so we will have more disabled and underprivileged children attending four year institutions. I think everyone has the potential to attend college, but some people simply don’t know it yet. I want to teach these children that a four year institution is obtainable despite our differences, upbringings, circumstances, and surroundings. Furthermore, I strongly believe that my ability to relate to these children, my sincere willingness to guide, and my aptitude to inspire is what makes me a great advocate, school psychologist, and role model. In my my attempt to “creating a world beyond differences”, I hope you will find this platform beneficial and useful. I invite you to message me with any feedback or services you would like to see integrated to SEAS.