Championing Inclusive Special Education Reform through Project C.O.P.E.D.

Joan Hazel Aninon is a visionary leader in the field of special education. With over 15 years of experience in instructional leadership, inclusive curriculum design, and SPED advocacy, she has dedicated her career to building equitable, student-centered systems that serve learners with disabilities, especially in underserved communities.

Through her pioneering initiative, Project C.O.P.E.D. (Consulting, Outreach, Professional Empowerment, and Development), Joan promotes:

• Inclusive pedagogy and culturally responsive teaching

• Strengthened IEP compliance and teacher training

• Scalable frameworks aligned with the IDEA Act and U.S. Department of Education priorities

Her model has garnered national recognition for its impact on enhancing academic outcomes, promoting vocational opportunities, and fostering stakeholder engagement across school systems.

🔹 Featured Press Article:
📢 Joan Hazel Aninon Champions Inclusive Special Education Reform with Project C.O.P.E.D. – ABNewswire

🔹 Published Research:
📄 Project C.O.P.E.D.: A transformative Model for Inclusive Special Education Reform – IRE Journals

Joan holds a Level Three-A Instructional Leader License (PreK–12 Special Education and Language Arts) issued by the New Mexico Public Education Department. She is an active member of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET).

“Inclusion is not a strategy to help people fit into the system; it is about transforming the system to accommodate everyone.” — Joan Hazel Aninon