The Cross Country Education team comes together annually to recognize a stand-out professional as our Special Education Provider of the Year. LaTierra embodies this role, from her dedication to strengthening students' identities and abilities to her drive to support families and students in the classroom and beyond.

<h3>LaTierra Q., Program Administrator</h3>
<p>LaTierra earned this distinguished award because she consistently prioritizes student success, aligns with her school’s mission, and exemplifies the Cross Country Education team in every aspect!&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Cross Country Education – Monthly Educator Spotlights</h3>
<p>Each day at Cross Country Education, we have the honor and privilege of working with outstanding professionals across the nation who are committed to helping kids thrive in school and beyond. It is truly a pleasure to match our educators with the right schools and support them throughout their career journey.</p>
<p>That’s why, each month, we love to shine the spotlight on these exceptional educators. We ask them to share what motivated them to work with students, why they continually choose to work with us, and what advice they have for new colleagues just embarking on their careers.</p>
<h3>Cross Country Special Education Provider of the Year</h3>
<p>The Cross Country Education team comes together annually to recognize a stand-out professional as our Special Educator of the Year. LaTierra embodies this role, from her dedication to strengthening students' identities and abilities to her drive to support families and students in the classroom and beyond.</p>
<p><strong>Congratulations, LaTierra, and thanks for all you do!</strong></p>
<p>Here’s what LaTierra has to say about her career, her motivations, and her experience as part of our team:</p>
<h4>How long have you been in your field?</h4>
<p>I’ve been an educator since the 2005-2006 school year. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to serve students across a range of educational settings and support various special education teams throughout the Los Angeles area.</p>
<h4>How long have you worked for Cross Country Education?</h4>
<p>I’ve had the honor of working for Cross Country Education since 2014.</p>
<h4>What do you like about working with Cross Country Education?</h4>
<p>What I enjoy most about working with CCE is the opportunity to support a variety of clients. It allows me to collaborate with different special education departments, each with unique needs, challenges, and students. The flexibility and diversity of experiences keep me growing both professionally and personally.</p>
<h4>Describe a time when you made a difference in a student's progression.</h4>
<p>A moment that stands out is when I returned to support a previous client for a short term assignment. It had been about six to seven years since I last worked at that site. When I walked onto campus, I was greeted with warmth and gratitude from several staff members who had been classroom teachers when I first met them and who were now in administrative roles. They shared with me that strategies I had modeled years ago still influence their work today and helped shape them as educators. It was so rewarding to see they were still committed to collaborative teamwork and student success. That’s what I showed them then, and it’s how I continue to operate now.</p>
<h4>What is the number one lesson you hope to teach the students you work with?</h4>
<p>The number one lesson I hope to impart is this: always keep hope alive, even when things seem dim. Special education often carries a stigma, but I strive to create an environment where that stigma disappears, where students feel safe, supported, seen, and heard. When families walk away feeling empowered, and students feel confident in their identity and abilities, I know I’ve done my job.</p>
<h4>What would students be surprised to find out about you?</h4>
<p>Students might be surprised to learn that I LOVE to dance! Turn on some music, and I instantly become the life of the party!</p>
<h4>Explore More Cross Country Educator Spotlights</h4>
<p>To get more inspiration from outstanding educators about their careers and discover whether joining our team is the right choice for you, check out recently featured spotlights on these awesome professionals, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/viparey-and-jennifer-adapted-physical-education-teachers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">adapted PE teachers</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/meet-our-educator-of-the-month-william-t" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">substitute teachers</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/educator-spotlight-dustin-k-behavior-intervention-developer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">behavior intervention developers</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/educator-spotlight-jocelyne-b-case-manager?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">case managers</a>!</p>
<h4>Ready to Join the Cross Country Education Team?</h4>
<p><span class="ql-cursor">﻿</span><a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/education" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Begin your adventure here</a>.</p>



2024-2025 Special Education Provider of the Year