SPECIAL Education teacher Patricia B. Paredes has risen to the top of her field, earning recognition as a champion of inclusive education.
Her dedication to special education has earned her the highest accolades at San Lorenzo Unified School District (SLZUSD), including the San Lorenzo Education Association (SLEA) Site Educator of the Year 2023-2024 and Teacher of the Year 2023-2024 at Washington Manor Middle School (WMMS).
To her WMMS colleagues, Ms. Paredes’ “individualized approach to student learning, collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to inclusivity makes her an outstanding educator.”
As they put it, “her impact extends beyond the classroom, inspiring students, parents and colleagues.”
On top of that, she was nominated as the Teacher of the Year 2023-2024 on a district-wide level at SLZUSD. Her approach aligns with SLZUSD’s commitment to diversity and quality education, where she strives to integrate innovative teaching methods and technologies to enhance learning outcomes.
Academic excellence
Patricia holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree with a major in Special Education, completed with distinction, and was awarded the Cum Laude and Academic Excellence Award in 2015. She earned it from the University of the Philippines, the top university in the Philippines.
Subsequently, she earned a Master of Education degree with a major in Special Education in 2021, graduating with High Honors from the American College of Education in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Patricia began her teaching career after achieving exceptional success in the 2015 Philippine licensure examination for teachers, being in the “Top 10” nationally.
In addition to her Philippine credentials, she is also a certified education specialist, holding credentials from the California State Education Department, including an Education Specialist Instruction Credential, a Multiple Subject Instruction Credential, and authorizations in English Learner (EL) instruction and Cross-cultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD).
Moreover, she achieved academic excellence by passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), highlighting her proficiency in essential teaching skills.
Dedicated service
With over nine years of dedicated service in special education, Ms. Paredes has honed her expertise in educational leadership, technology, and differentiated instruction.
Her mission is to foster an inclusive learning environment that accommodates diverse student needs. She ensures that each student receives the support they need to thrive academically and socially.
“It’s very important for me to get to know each one of my students so I can create an environment where they can feel safe and supported,” Patricia said.
When she was a trainee at Anderson Center for Autism in New York, Patricia gained extensive knowledge of autism education and effective interventions.
For 18 months, she worked with children and teenagers with autism and other developmental disorders, rotating through various departments, including the school, residential, and behavioral therapy settings. During this time, she got certified as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).
In her current role as a Special Education Coordinator, Ms. Paredes guides her team to support students with exceptional needs.
Some of her tasks include conducting Special Education Team collaborative meetings, participating in transition meetings, and assisting with the articulation process with other departments, schools, and other service providers. She also discusses site administration concerns and issues regarding her department.
Groundbreaking work
As an Education Specialist, she designs and implements effective educational plans, as well as managing individualized education programs. She promotes critical thinking in her students and maintains positive relations with peers and school staff.
Ms. Paredes is an active member of Alpha Pack, WMMS’s Instructional Leadership Team, where she collaborates with administrators and department heads on topics such as data, teaching strategies, and focal students.
In addition to her exceptional teaching skills, Ms. Paredes has also made significant contributions to research in the field of special education. She has published studies on Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices of Special Education Teachers and its impact on Individualized Education Plan (IEP) outcomes for students.
Such groundbreaking work has influenced her district’s understanding of effective teaching strategies and student success.
Together with her research on culturally responsive teaching practices, Ms. Paredes also investigated innovative teaching methods.
Her ongoing study, “Touch Math Technique: A Multisensory Method of Teaching Basic Number Sense to Students with Disabilities,” examines the effectiveness of the Touch Math technique in enhancing number sense and mathematical understanding among students with disabilities. This research aims to provide valuable insights into supporting students with disabilities in developing their mathematical skills.
Furthermore, Ms. Paredes published research articles in the Autism and Classroom Management series of the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET).
Strong commitment
Ms. Paredes has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional development and mentorship, regularly mentoring new special education teachers and assisting them in developing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
She has also continued to advance her own knowledge and skills by attending conferences and workshops, including those hosted by the California Teaching Association (CTA), Stanford Autism Center, and other organizations.
Her expertise has been recognized through multiple invitations as a guest speaker at SPED symposiums.
Ms. Paredes has shared her knowledge and experience with others through her presentations at conferences, including “Empowering Every Learner: Strategies for Individualized Educational Plans and Effective Classroom Management” in April 2024, “Enhancing Skills, Expanding Knowledge” at Centro Escolar University in Manila in February 2018, and “21st Century Teachers: Forging New Pathways in Special Education” at Philippine Normal University in Manila in February 2015.
Throughout her career, Ms. Paredes has implemented evidence-based programs such as Sonday Intervention and Touch Math, which have been effective in supporting students who struggle with reading and math concepts.
Notably, during the pandemic, Patricia continued to demonstrate her dedication to her profession and passion for supporting students with special needs, despite the challenges posed by this unprecedented global crisis.
Patricia is also an active volunteer at the Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area, demonstrating her commitment to supporting individuals with autism and their families.
Ms. Paredes’ ability to collaborate effectively with others and foster a sense of inclusivity and belonging is truly remarkable.
Her dedication to excellence has earned her recognition as a leading advocate of inclusive education, and her impact on the lives of her students will be felt for years to come.
About the Writer
Angie Chui is a former journalist for the Manila Bulletin, one of the major daily newspapers in the Philippines with a nationwide circulation. She later transferred to the academe to serve as the web content developer for De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, in charge of developing and editing content on the official website. She also handles Intro to Journalism, Editorial Management, and Social Media Management subjects for Broadcast Journalism and Communication students in DLSU-D. During her free time, she takes on freelance work for different online publications and works on her review blog itswynnesworld.com.
