Education:

Ph.D., Multicultural Special Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. Dissertation: Latina Mothers' Perceptions of their Children's Reading.
M.Ed. Learning Disabilities and Counseling, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

B.A., Psychology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.                                

Special Skills:

Fully bilingual in Spanish and English
Spanish Translator

Professional Experiences:

Training Coordinator, Texas Center for Disability Studies, The University of Texas at Austin.  2006 to present

Social Science Human Research Associate IV.  Trained Spanish-speaking families in understanding their rights and those of their children under the IDEA, NCLB, and Sec.504.   2000 - 2006

Teaching Assistant, Assistive Technology (AT) Laboratory, Department of Special Education, The University of Texas at Austin. 1998 - 1999

Teaching Assistant, Department of Special Education, The University of Texas at Austin. Developed and presented instructional materials on cultural and linguistically diverse students including alternative assessment and methods to undergraduate students.  1998 - 2002

Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Special Education, The University of Texas at Austin. Co-developed an alternative assessment (TEJAS LEE) test for Spanish-speaking children. Collaborated on item- construction, pilot testing, and video-based test administration instructions for teacher training.  1999

Special Education Teacher, Academia San Jorge, Santurce, Puerto Rico.  1995 - 1996

Educational Therapist, Caribbean Preparatory School, Puerto Rico. 1995 - 1996

Educational Consultant for landmark federal case Gonzalez vs. Department of Education, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Responsible for providing legal, educational, and technical assistance for expert witness.

Editorial Assistant for the journal: Learning Disability Research and Practice. Department of Special Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.  1995

Special Education Teacher, Insituto Modelo de Enseñanza Individualizada, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.  1993

Publications:

Mastropieri, M. A., Scruggs, T. E., Hamilton, S. L., Whedon, C., & Canevaro, A. (1994-95). Scientific reasoning of students with mild mental retardation:  Investigating preconceptions and conceptual changes. Exceptionality, 5, 223-244.

Lectures/Conferences:

Mi niño tiene problemas: Por favor alguien me puede explicar ¿Qué hago ahora?, Texas Parent to Parent Conference, Austin, TX, August 4, 2006.

Mi hermano tiene una discapacidad: ¿Sabrán mis padres que yo existo?, Texas Parent to Parent Conference, Belton, TX, July 23, 2005.

Mi hijo tiene una discapacidad y yo estoy en una montaña rusa. Texas Parent-to-Parent Conference, Belton, TX, July 23, 2005.

Help! My child has been diagnosed as having a disability and I am on an emotional roller coaster!, Texas Parent to Parent Conference, Belton, TX, July 22, 2005.

My brother have a disability: Do my parents know that I exist?, Texas Parent to Parent Conference, Belton, TX, July 23, 2005.

Challenges that Latino Families Face in Communicating with Schools, Inclusion Works, Austin, TX, February 14, 2004.

Understanding Latino's Perception of Disability. Association University Center for Disabilities, Bethesda, MD, November 11, 2003.

Best Practices in Partnering With Families of English Language Learners with Disabilities, Council for Exceptional Children, Seattle, WA, April 11, 2003.

Multiple Perspectives on English Language Learners with Disabilities:  Bilingual Educators, Bilingual Special Educators, and Mothers, National Association of Bilingual Education, New Orleans, January 31, 2003.

Percepción de madres latinas con respecto al proceso y el sistema de educación especial, Fiesta Educativa, San Antonio, Texas, August 2002.

Home Literacy Practices of Latino Mothers Who Have Children With Reading Disabilties. National Association of Bilingual Education, Philadelphia, PA, April 2002.

Home Literacy Practices of Mexican Families Who Have Children With Reading Related Difficulties, Council for Exceptional Children, Kansas City, MO, April 19, 2001.