Meet SHELLEY
Shelley Hawkes is an accomplished international education leader dedicated to fostering inclusivity in school settings. With over three decades of experience, she has spearheaded initiatives to support students with diverse learning needs, including expanding learning support programs and creating award-winning inclusion programs.
A passionate advocate for students with differences, Shelley has spoken at conferences worldwide, inspiring educators to embrace inclusive practices. Shelley’s areas of expertise include: student behavior supports, autism, inclusive programming, MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports), and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging).
Driven by her belief in the potential of every student, Shelley is committed to pushing boundaries and transforming educational landscapes. Through consultancy work, speaking engagements, and ongoing research, she continues to champion inclusivity and empower educators and administrators.
“Bringing a wealth of international teaching experience, I intimately understand the obstacles faced by students with diverse needs within traditional educational frameworks. My unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive environments drives me to advocate for meaningful change in international schools, ensuring every student receives the support they deserve.” -Shelley Hawkes
Accomplishments
Creator of Three Virtual Workshop Trainings for AMISA Educators around Behavior, Oct-Nov 2024
Presenter: International School Counselor Association (ISCA) Conference, November 2024
Presenter: CASEL Social and Emotional Learning Exchange, Chicago, Illinois, November 12-14, 2024
Presenter: Tri-Association Annual Educators Conference, Mexico City, Mexico, September 2024
Interim Coordinator of Student Support: Escuela Bella Vista, Maracaibo, Venezuela, 2024-25
Behavior Consultant for Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), Lima, Peru, March 2024
Behavior Consultant for the The American School of Belo Horizonte (EABH), Brazil, Sept. 2023
Presenter: AMISA Conference at the American School of Guatemala in March 2023
Presenter: Inclusion Conference at the InterAmerican Academy (IAA) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, February 2023
Head of Department, Student Support Services: Nido de Aguilas International School (Lower Division), Santiago, Chile, October 2022 - Present
Co-Creator of Teacher Training Courses for the SENIA Organization, 2021-22
Volunteer Director of Growth and Development for SENIA Organization, December 2020- October 2022
Presenter: Special Education Network and Inclusion Association (SENIA) annual virtual conference, December 2020 and 2021
Keynote Speaker: Autism Awareness Event at TRS Learning Center, Amman, Jordan, December 2019
Keynote speaker: Autism Conferences at Amman Arab University and Princess Alia College, Amman, Jordan, Fall 2018
Co-author of Next Frontier Inclusion (NFI) publication: Challenge Accepted!: Reframing our Approaches to Behavior Management in International Schools, November 2018
Keynote speaker: Special Education Network in Malaysia (SENIM) annual conference, Sarawak, Borneo, November 2017.
Presenter: Special Education Network in Asia (SENIA) annual conference, Yokohama, Japan, February 2017
Co-Organizer: Special Education Network in Asia (SENIA) annual conference, ISKL, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2016
Education:
Master in Education: Curriculum and Instruction (ASD), Arizona State University
English as an Additional Language (EAL) Certification, University of Utah
Bachelor in Science: Special Education, Brigham Young University
International Teaching Experiences
(Learning Support, EAL, Life-Centered Education):
International School Nido de Aguilas, Santiago, Chile
American Community School of Amman, Jordan
Universal American School, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
International School of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia*
*The International School of Kuala Lumpur received the International School Award for Initiative to Support Inclusion based on the Life-Centered Education (LCE) program Shelley co-created
