Radha Bala, M.A.

This is Radha Bala from Berryessa Union School District in San Jose, CA. I have been an Early Childhood Special Education teacher for 16 years and have been working with young children for 20 years.

I strongly believe in and advocate that all neurodivergent children should be given the encouragement and opportunities to reach their full potential. In order to accomplish this, the environment must have diversity, equity and inclusion.

Personally, I have been in numerous positions where I have been involved in policy making decisions.

1. I started as a paraprofessional and worked closely with the child as a 1:1.
2. As an educator, working within the school policies collaborating with families and other professionals in creating and developing the IEP.
3. At the district level I have been on numerous committees to represent special education such as the LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan). School budget committee, MTSS committee, and so forth.
4. As a local Union member, I have held the following positions: bargaining member, VP,  and Special Education rep.
5. At the State Level, I represent my local union as a State Council member. This is where members discuss policy making decisions regarding education.
6. Aside from my leadership roles in education, I was involved in Boy Scouts as a den leader and Merit Badge counselor and worked closely with children of all ages.