Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Batista
Hi Alexandra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From a very early age I knew I wanted to be a teacher, from the day I had to play a teacher for a school event in the First Grade. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, I was 13 years old when I first went to an event by a non-profit organization named SER from Puerto Rico. This organization provides different supports for families and children with Special Needs. While volunteering at this event, I got reassured that not only I wanted to be a teacher, I wanted to work with neurodivergent children. During my high school and college time, I always volunteered and later on worked with children in different environments like Summer Camps, Daycares, Tutoring and other education-related settings. I graduated the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in Ponce with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education Teacher K-12 and a baby in 2016. From there I worked in Public and Private schools in Puerto Rico until I decided to move to Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and a second baby on the way in 2017. I continued working as a teacher in various environments that allowed me to expand my knowledge and experience as a teacher like being an ESOL virtual teacher, I also taught as a virtual Elementary Teacher, later helped start and worked as a teacher in a Microschool. I love teaching, but I wanted to go back to my main goal of working with neurodivergent children so I taught at Charter Schools for Autistic children both at the Elementary and Middle School Level. During this time, I witnessed firsthand the huge gaps there are between what neurodivergent children need to thrive and what traditional education systems can offer. With an education system that is focused on academic skills, standardizes education and prioritizes test scores, many neurodivergent individuals are left behind reaching adulthood without basic communication, self-care and self-advocacy skills often making them vulnerable to abuse and neglect. I became very frustrated as I saw there was not much I could do to change how things are done, at the time, even considering a career change. Thats when I learn about scholarships available in Florida for neurodivergent students through which parents can access specialized services to support their child’s needs. That’s when I start to plan for what Steps Learning Center is today. In April 2022 I make Steps Learning Center LLC and in August 2022 we opened our doors as Part-Time Tutoring Providers. We were able to get started after receiving a micro-grant from the VELA Education fund whom believed in our mission and with the help of the KaiPod Catalyst we developed and launched our Microschool now offering Full Time and Part Time Tutoring for neurodivergent children with moderate to significant needs. By becoming an Approve Provider through the ESA Programs in Florida we ensure all students have access to our services at a low or no-cost through the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities. In our progress-based educational program, students get the opportunity to thrive and develop the skills they need to live fulfilling adult lives. We focus beyond academics in our non-traditional approach integrating Social-Emotional Learning, Independent Living Skills, developmentally appropriate academics, on- site therapies and enrichment experiences. My goal is to make Steps Learning Center a innovative and leading program and replicate our model in different cities across the State.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been an easy or smooth road, but it seems everything worth fighting for is never easy. My previous experience has always been as a teacher. In pursuing this dream, I’ve had to learn to be a business owner, an entrepreneur, and how to lead an educational institution. More so, how to make my vision and idea into a reality. Once I was able to officially start, the challenges started, learning how to show families our vision and gain their trust. After our first year as providers through the ESA programs, the organizations administering the program changed, and with that came a long period of uncertainty. My deeply rooted sense of responsibility with my students and our commitment to families got us through long months of no payments while the transition happened and delays in the following months. We advocated for our families, provided support and showed our unwavering commitment during these times. Seeing our students thrive and how we were changing not only our student’s but also their family’s lives was all the motivation we needed. We have grown ever since having to relocate to a bigger building where we could accommodate the demand we received. We continue to grow, I continue to learn more about how to manage and scale a business and we continue to find ways to provide significant and valuable learning experiences for our students and provide support for our families. I am sure many other challenges will arise, but I trust that the work we are doing and the mission that drives this project will be the fuel to tackle them all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a mom of 3 and a certified Special Education Teacher K-12 and a certified Elementary Teacher in Puerto Rico and Florida. My experience in the traditional education system pushed me to create an innovative educational program for Neurodivergent children with moderate to. Significant needs. This new experience has pushed me to become a Business Owner, Edupreneur, Educational Programs Developer and an Advocate for Neurodivergent Individuals and their Caregivers. I am very proud of Steps Learning Center, the team we have put together and the goals we are working towards. What sets me apart is the commitment I have with the Neurodivergent Population. I firmly believe that provided the needed supports, any individual can thrive and accomplish all their goals regardless of a diagnosis. A label is not a list of things an individual can’t do, its a guide on how that individual can thrive and life a fulfilling adult life and our mission at Steps Learning is to build that support network that our students and their families need.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I feel like there are many qualities and characteristics that are very important to be successful. Primarily, I believe in living guided by three core values: love, respect and kindness and believing everyone is worth of receiving them. This journey of becoming a business owner has required resilience, determination and confidence. To be successful I’ve had to learn to not give up when obstacles and challenges arise, to ask for help and guidance and to learn new skills. One needs to make mistakes and learn from them in order to improve and become better. I look forward to continue growing and learning which I also feel is very important, to always be open to learn new things, change and evolve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stepslearningcenterllc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stepslearningcenterllc
Image Credits
Steps Learning Center LLC
