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TIDE Academy Staff Bio Photo

Karen Cortez

Education Specialist 

(She/Her/Hers)

Why TIDE Academy?
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I love TIDE Academy because it is a beautiful small school that offers individualized support to our diverse students. Our STEAM focused school encourages our students to use technology and their unique creativity to become strong innovators. At TIDE we support our students' individual learning styles, encourage their continued growth, and celebrate their accomplishments. 
 
 

What I do and why
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As an Education Specialist, I work with students with learning differences and support them with accessing the General Education curriculum. I prioritize building executive functioning skills, exploring self-management tools, and working on individual academic goals. I am also the Pride Club and Yearbook advisor and love participating in school activities and events. I hope to continue supporting TIDE’s students and their families in building a strong sense of community at our school. 
 
 
 

Short Background
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I was born and raised in Los Angeles and my family is from El Salvador and Ecuador. I enjoy sharing about my culture and learning about other cultures and backgrounds. I attended community college in Los Angeles then transferred to UC Santa Cruz to complete my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Shortly after completing my undergraduate degree, I attended CSU Monterey Bay to obtain my teaching credential in mild/moderate special needs and transitioned into an Education Specialist role at a high school in Watsonville, CA for a total of 4 years.