Cassandra’s career journey, which spans roles as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, Special Education teacher, and Applied Learning Specialist, ultimately brought her to the Customer Success team at Goalbook. No matter the role, she has consistently worked to support the people she is passionate about serving: the special education community.
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Cassandra completed Communication Sciences and Disorders coursework and earned her licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant. Working with students who had disabilities as a Speech Therapist Assistant sparked her passion and curiosity about special education, prompting her to return to school to earn a Master’s degree in Special Education.
Her Master’s degree led Cassandra to a teaching role in the Texas region where she lived. The majority of children and families she worked with were Hispanic, and many were either bilingual or monolingual Spanish speakers. Recognizing the needs of this underserved community, she earned her bilingual certification to better support multilingual learners.
Cassandra’s work has focused on bridging multilingualism and special education while helping educators design instruction that is accessible and meaningful. This is what brought her to Goalbook. In this Q&A, Cassandra shares how her unique path—and her current role at Goalbook—fuels her passion and drives her commitment to the special education community.
1. What inspired you to go into education?
I originally graduated with a BA in Psychology with the trajectory of being a Behavior Analyst. However, after speaking with a friend in the speech pathology program, I became deeply interested in the field especially because a close family member had needed these services as a child after being non-verbal until the age of four. Feeling a personal connection to the profession, I went on to complete post-baccalaureate coursework in Communication Sciences and Disorders following my degree in Psychology. I completed my practicum at an outpatient therapy facility, where I was later hired. I then obtained my licensure as a Speech Therapist Assistant in Texas and spent five years working in that role.
Working with children and young adults with special needs to help them develop functional communication skills sparked a strong passion and curiosity in me to teach across all areas, including academics. I wanted to make a broader impact on their overall learning, not just on functional communication skills (although they were critically important), so I was inspired to pursue a Master’s degree in Special Education.
My background in Psychology and Speech Therapy, being bilingual, and my experience supporting students with disabilities, helped prepare me to teach in a Life Skills classroom serving students with significant disabilities who were also English language learners.
“I knew my students were capable of so much more if given the opportunity and if held to the same high expectations as their peers.”
2. What attracted you to Goalbook’s mission?
At the district I was working at, we used Goalbook Toolkit, and I loved it already. But the one thing that really stood out to me was Goalbook’s mission of empowering educators so ALL students succeed.
I worked with students who had some really significant cognitive disabilities who were often left out or underestimated. Many assumed the students couldn’t make academic or functional progress, and as a result, they were never really challenged. That mindset was both disappointing and frustrating, and it was one I never accepted.
I knew my students were capable of so much more if given the opportunity and if held to the same high expectations as their peers. I knew we could push them to learn. There’s always something new they can learn. What may seem like a small achievement to others is often a huge triumph for these children and their families—a meaningful step forward in their journey.
I didn’t want any of my students to get left behind or left in the dark. That’s what really sparked my interest in working with Goalbook. That’s why Goalbook’s mission to empower educators to transform instruction so that ALL students succeed resonated so deeply with me. It reflected exactly what I believed in my heart. I wanted to be part of a company driven by that conviction.
What really solidified my belief in Goalbook’s mission was watching the continued release of Alternative Academics, Life Skills, and English Language Development content over the years. These were the kinds of resources that supported the students I had worked with, showing me that Goalbook genuinely strives to help every student succeed.
“By sharing my knowledge and experiences beyond a single district, I’m now able to support a wider community of educators and, in turn, positively impact far more students than I could before.”
3. In your eyes, how does your work support Goalbook’s mission?
Since I used Goalbook Toolkit as both a special education teacher and later as a specialist supporting other educators, I’ve seen firsthand the impact it can have on teachers and students.
I worked with a very unique set of students with complex disabilities who were also English learners. They faced a wide range of challenges that impacted their learning and daily living experiences. That journey now influences how I support and guide educators in the field during training. If I was able to leverage Goalbook Toolkit to support my diverse group of learners, I know everybody can.
Teachers aren’t just learning how to navigate Goalbook Toolkit; they’re learning how to integrate it into their practice to strengthen instruction and become more effective teachers.
By sharing my knowledge and experiences beyond a single district, I’m now able to support a wider community of educators and, in turn, positively impact far more students than I could before.
4. When do you feel your work is contributing to improving the education system? How do you measure your impact on the education system?
When I decided to move on from my special education teaching role to my specialist role, it was really hard for me because I loved my students so much. I even cried when I got the news of my promotion because I was worried about my students. I truly loved my work, but I began to feel that I could make an even bigger difference by supporting other educators and helping spread effective practices throughout the district.
Coming to Goalbook felt a little like that. But now I have an even wider impact. I have worked with districts across Texas and Louisiana. I’m able to reach more educators, who in turn are strengthening their instructional practices to better support their students. Ultimately, that’s going to make a bigger change in the outcomes for both teachers and students.
When I’m delivering training and supporting educators in the field, it’s not just about showing them how to use Goalbook Toolkit, it’s about helping them connect Goalbook Toolkit to their instructional practice so they can better meet the needs of students with disabilities.
Educators often share how Goalbook Toolkit has helped them write stronger IEPs, feel more confident using data, or find new ways to challenge students. That’s when I know I’m helping create real change in improving outcomes for both educators and students.
5. Outside of your role, what are one or two things you love here?
I really love being part of a mission-driven company. Goalbook’s belief that every student can succeed is something I’ve always carried with me as a teacher, and it motivates me daily.
I also value the people here: the collaboration, the way we share knowledge and learn from one another. Everybody’s always willing to help each other. My colleagues have a genuine passion they bring, and it makes it feel like we’re all working toward something bigger together.
6. Which team activity has been your favorite?
During our Summer Team Week 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we got to race go-karts at the Mall of America. It was my very first time getting behind a go-kart wheel. I crashed in nearly every lap, but it was an exhilarating experience. I had a blast. It was the funnest thing we’ve done so far.
7. What’s something at Goalbook that has made you laugh?
The hotel we stayed in for Summer Team Week 2025 was right next to the Mall of America. During lunch one day, I mentioned that I wanted to go shopping in the mall because I hadn’t been there yet. Rachel on our Partnerships team and I decided to check it out during our long lunch break.
I used to live in Minnesota until I was 15 years old. I have very fond memories as a kid going to Camp Snoopy in the Mall of America. I remember getting on the rides and having so much fun. So I told Rachel that I wanted to go see it.
As I was taking a video, Rachel asked me if I wanted to go on the roller coaster. I said, “Let’s do it!”
We ended up riding three roller coasters back to back. We didn’t even go shopping! And we couldn’t stop laughing at a photo of us from one of the rides. It looked hilarious.
We came back to the whole group still buzzing with adrenaline. We were laughing our heads off. It’s one of those moments I’ll always remember.
8. What are you reading/watching right now?
Reading: The Ashes and the Star-cursed King by Carissa Broadbent. It’s the second book in the Crown of Nyaxia series which is broken up into three duologies. It’s about the adopted daughter of a vampire king, Oraya. She enters a brutal competition called The Kejari held every 200 years by the vampire goddess, Nyaxia. The winner of the competition grants one winner a wish. Oraya hopes to win the competition and become a vampire herself. She ends up falling in love with one of her rivals, who later betrays her. I don’t want to tell you more in case anyone wants to read it.
Watching: Ransom Canyon on Netflix. It’s kinda like Yellowstone meets Texas.
9. Early bird or night owl?
I am an early bird, 100%. I like to work out in the morning before my family is awake. It helps me feel more energized and clear-headed throughout the day.
10. Is there anything you want to add?
All I know is I’m really happy here. I love what I do. I love the people that I work with, and although I miss my students from time to time, I know that I did the right thing coming here.
