Enhancing the quality of Crisis Intervention Training to enhance the quality of Autism lives!
Sydney Lucille Alston
From micro-preemie to Hugo's Little Hero - courtesy of Bee Mighty!
Sydney was born at 27-weeks & 2.0 lbs. Sydney has been granted the privilege as being selected by the non-profit organization Bee Mighty as the Mighty Bee for November 2019. The Bee Mighty organization partners with Novant Health and Sprite to collaborate with the NBA Charlotte Hornets. This collaboration allowed Sydney to be Hugo’s Little Hero which allowed her exclusive behind the scenes and on the court privileges during the Hornets vs. Grizzlies game on 11/13/19.
Change Agent for Autism De-escalation Matters
autismeducatordrsmith.blogspot.com
I have a daughter diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 3. Her autism behaviors & mistaken mannerisms have led to violence, fleeing, and harm of others. We have had the great fortune of avoiding handcuffs because of the Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) and techniques taught and implemented by our public-school & community support team.
For the last 10 years I have been successfully navigating the public school system and other support services to provide Sydney with the best quality of life possible, in spite of any diagnosis!
In spite of… Suffering isolation, fear and alienation since my daughter’s premature birth then diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, this Autism Mom with a Ph.D. and over 20 years’ experience as an educator became a Certified change agent devoted to Educating First Responders around the world about Autism & advocating for non-violent Crisis Intervention Technique; while promoting Autism Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
I have a daughter diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 3. Her autism behaviors & mistaken mannerisms have led to violence, fleeing, and harm of others. We have had the great fortune of avoiding handcuffs because of the Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) and techniques taught and implemented by our public-school & community support team.
For the last 10 years I have been successfully navigating the public school system and other support services to provide Sydney with the best quality of life possible, in spite of any diagnosis!
In spite of… Suffering isolation, fear and alienation since my daughter’s premature birth then diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, this Autism Mom with a Ph.D. and over 20 years’ experience as an educator became a Certified change agent devoted to Educating First Responders around the world about Autism & advocating for non-violent Crisis Intervention Technique; while promoting Autism Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Dr. Sharlene T Smith
Educating First Responders around the world!
Dr. Sharlene. T Smith has delivered & developed hundreds of courses, trainings & workshops successfully in various formats & topics over her 20 years in business & education.
She continues the journey of Empowering Transformation, In Spite of.. the challenges of “life”!
* 1st generation high school graduate * Progressive Leader, Coach, Educator, Trainer, Mentor * Autism Certified Trainer * Microsoft Certified STEM female * Certified Public Speaker * Certified Diversity Trainer & Professional * Author * Entrepreneur * 501©3 Founder * Autism Advocate *Special Needs Mom* Autism Mom of Autistic Girl * Micro-Preemie Mom 27-weeker * Single Mom of Special Needs child * Special Needs Mom * Special Needs Student Advocate * Investor * Promoter of holistic health, wellness & self-care * World Traveler *
She continues the journey of Empowering Transformation, In Spite of.. the challenges of “life”!
* 1st generation high school graduate * Progressive Leader, Coach, Educator, Trainer, Mentor * Autism Certified Trainer * Microsoft Certified STEM female * Certified Public Speaker * Certified Diversity Trainer & Professional * Author * Entrepreneur * 501©3 Founder * Autism Advocate *Special Needs Mom* Autism Mom of Autistic Girl * Micro-Preemie Mom 27-weeker * Single Mom of Special Needs child * Special Needs Mom * Special Needs Student Advocate * Investor * Promoter of holistic health, wellness & self-care * World Traveler *
Dr. Smith - From Poverty --> Ph.D. --> mom fighting for ASD!
MOVEs prove Mindset Overcomes Virtually Everything!
She is a first-generation high school graduate, raised by her grandparents whom has achieved academic and professional success in-spite of difficult circumstances. She is a Microsoft Certified Professional whom holds her Ph.D. in Organization and Management with a specialization in Business from Capella University, Master’s in Business Administration and Managing Information Technology from Sullivan University and Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Voorhees College. She graduated from Voorhees College Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. She has also been certified by the State of NC to teach Mathematics and Vocational Business Education at the K-12 level. Her Dissertation on “The impact of unemployment and population on the enrollment in NC rural, urban and suburban community colleges” was published in 2012.
In 2014, she founded AlSmith Education Advocates, L.L.C an educational consulting company, that provides key note speaking, tutoring, workshops, career and mentor services. In 2017, she founded Empowering Transformation, In Spite of.. a 501c3 organization. Her 1st article as an Autism Advocate will appear in the April 2018 edition of Autism Parenting magazine. “Autism is not a Hashtag!
Both companies will collaborate to provide training & education to enhance First Responders existing Crisis Intervention training & support non-violent Crisis Intervention Techniques; while promoting Autism Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
She has 20 years’ experience in education, business and technology working in Instructional and Administrative capacities for public and proprietary educational institutions in the Louisville, KY and Charlotte, NC areas. Some of her various roles include SME (Subject Matter Expert) in the areas of Information Technology and Business, Academic Discipline Coordinator, high school classroom teacher, course developer & online instructor and facilitator. She is currently a full-time Computer Information Technology Instructor for Gaston College and has also served as Visiting Professor for Strayer University & DeVry University in Charlotte, NC teaching various Computer Information Technology & Business courses. In her previous roles as a computer programmer/analyst she was responsible for developing detailed training materials, training the user group on materials before, during and after software implementation. In her current role, she continuously conducts a number of faculty trainings on various computer software applications and culturally responsive teaching.
Due to the Diversity Recruitment efforts of Mrs. Freeman at Voorhees College: She has worked in industry as a computer programmer & analyst for UPS Airlines in Louisville, KY for seven years before deciding that she wanted to do something that was more emotionally rewarding. She proudly states: “When I discovered the joy of teaching, I found my passion. I can say that I truly know the difference between having a job and having a career. I look forward to interacting with my diverse students and learning from their experiences, as they learn from mine.”
She has served as former President and current member of her campus Multicultural Affairs Committee promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. She currently serves as Judiciary Committee Chair on campus and have served as past President of the Charlotte Chapter of the Voorhees College Alumni Association, member of the local NCCIA – NC Computer Instructors Association, Faculty Advisor of Future Business Leaders of America Phi Beta Lambda, Faculty Advisor for Women of Success, a Faculty Senator, member of League for Innovation, serves on the Student Success/Achieving the Dream committee and a member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Smith has presented at various conferences throughout NC including the 2015 UNCF Annual Leadership conference. In 2016 she was awarded the Business & Information Technology Divisional Instructor of the year for Outstanding Teaching, Leadership and Commitment.
Dr. Smith’s goal is to model exemplary behavior for students to achieve educational, personal and professional progress, in spite of their circumstances and surroundings. Due to her background, she is focused and passionate about developing herself and those around her personally and professionally. She takes pride in assisting others to identify their inner strengths through commitment, determination & focus.
In 2014, she founded AlSmith Education Advocates, L.L.C an educational consulting company, that provides key note speaking, tutoring, workshops, career and mentor services. In 2017, she founded Empowering Transformation, In Spite of.. a 501c3 organization. Her 1st article as an Autism Advocate will appear in the April 2018 edition of Autism Parenting magazine. “Autism is not a Hashtag!
Both companies will collaborate to provide training & education to enhance First Responders existing Crisis Intervention training & support non-violent Crisis Intervention Techniques; while promoting Autism Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
She has 20 years’ experience in education, business and technology working in Instructional and Administrative capacities for public and proprietary educational institutions in the Louisville, KY and Charlotte, NC areas. Some of her various roles include SME (Subject Matter Expert) in the areas of Information Technology and Business, Academic Discipline Coordinator, high school classroom teacher, course developer & online instructor and facilitator. She is currently a full-time Computer Information Technology Instructor for Gaston College and has also served as Visiting Professor for Strayer University & DeVry University in Charlotte, NC teaching various Computer Information Technology & Business courses. In her previous roles as a computer programmer/analyst she was responsible for developing detailed training materials, training the user group on materials before, during and after software implementation. In her current role, she continuously conducts a number of faculty trainings on various computer software applications and culturally responsive teaching.
Due to the Diversity Recruitment efforts of Mrs. Freeman at Voorhees College: She has worked in industry as a computer programmer & analyst for UPS Airlines in Louisville, KY for seven years before deciding that she wanted to do something that was more emotionally rewarding. She proudly states: “When I discovered the joy of teaching, I found my passion. I can say that I truly know the difference between having a job and having a career. I look forward to interacting with my diverse students and learning from their experiences, as they learn from mine.”
She has served as former President and current member of her campus Multicultural Affairs Committee promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. She currently serves as Judiciary Committee Chair on campus and have served as past President of the Charlotte Chapter of the Voorhees College Alumni Association, member of the local NCCIA – NC Computer Instructors Association, Faculty Advisor of Future Business Leaders of America Phi Beta Lambda, Faculty Advisor for Women of Success, a Faculty Senator, member of League for Innovation, serves on the Student Success/Achieving the Dream committee and a member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Smith has presented at various conferences throughout NC including the 2015 UNCF Annual Leadership conference. In 2016 she was awarded the Business & Information Technology Divisional Instructor of the year for Outstanding Teaching, Leadership and Commitment.
Dr. Smith’s goal is to model exemplary behavior for students to achieve educational, personal and professional progress, in spite of their circumstances and surroundings. Due to her background, she is focused and passionate about developing herself and those around her personally and professionally. She takes pride in assisting others to identify their inner strengths through commitment, determination & focus.