A headshot of Alicia Ciocca, a white Latina educator smiles with long auburn wavy hair and a blazer in front of a bookcase.

Educator

As a teacher of students with disabilities for over 10 years in NYC public schools, I have worked with Neurodivergent and Disabled students in both inclusion and specialized settings to help students achieve their goals and foster confidence, belonging, and wellbeing.

Curriculum Writer

Students and educators smiling in front of the stage of the Broadway Show "How to Dance in Ohio" after a talkback with the autistic actors.

I developed a Disability Justice curriculum to teach disability identity, history, and culture to all students, which was the most successful and impactful curriculum I created and implemented in my teaching career.

I also coach educators in various schools and districts to embed disability justice into their pedagogy and curriculum. 

Instructional Coach

Alicia Ciocca, a white Latina educator, delivers professional development in front of two screens. She is wearing a grey dress and is in the middle of talking and gesticulating with her hands.

As an instructional coach for a literacy ed tech company, I trained educators, developed customized professional development plans, and designed new literacy programs throughout the United States, South Africa, and Mexico.


As a facilitator with the New York Transit Musuem’s Subway Sleuths program, I supported autistic elementary students in a strengths-based social program related to their interests in trains and transit.

Mentor

Alicia Ciocca, a white Latina, is smiling with her hands clasped together as she delivers a workshop at the New York Public Library with a Community Agreement on the board behind her, with blurbs such as "Honor voices with lived experience"

As a mentor for the Academy for Teachers, I support new teachers of students with disabilities. I provide targeted professional development to help teachers meet the needs of their diverse learners, and to adapt their pedagogy and curricula to represent their students’ Disabled identities.

Learner

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University

  • Master of Science in Education, Teaching Urban Adolescents with Disabilities, from LIU Brooklyn.

  • Master of Educational Leadership and Administration from Hunter College

  • Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies from CUNY School for Professional Studies