Sharon Heller Joins College Living Experience As Director Of CLE Denver

DENVER, July 10, 2013 /PRNewswrie/ -- College Living Experience (CLE), a national organization founded to help students with special learning needs achieve post-secondary education and independent-living skills, today announced the addition of Sharon Heller as the new director of the CLE Denver program. 

"My goal is to help our students realize their full potential. The word that comes to mind is possibility. Most students with learning disabilities struggle to be young adults in any typical way. It's a privilege to support these students with their academic and social progress by guiding them toward a more meaningful and self-fulfilling life. The comprehensive level of assistance provided by CLE that fosters independence and a high quality of life is something I want to be a part of," commented Ms. Heller.  

Ms. Stephanie Martin, president of CLE, stated, "With her work in special education from pre-school through graduate work, Sharon brings a complete understanding of the unique and individual needs of students with learning challenges."  As an autism specialist, Ms. Heller has expertise in working with special education teams to develop appropriate IEP (individualized education program) goals and objectives to support students and advance their educational and social development. "Ms. Heller," Ms. Martin continued, "is the right educator to expand support services and special needs learning programs at CLE Denver through a collaborative process that includes the students, their parents, and the CLE staff."

With a Masters in Special Education from Chapman University in Monterey, California, Ms. Heller brings to CLE over 20 years of educational experience gained in both California and Colorado with teaching credentials in regular education and mild to moderate special education. Throughout her professional career in special education, Ms. Heller has focused on developing specialty programming for students with autism from pre-school through high school with experience extending across Jefferson County Public Schools, San Diego City Schools, Serra High School, and the Monterey County Office of Education. 

Ms. Heller also served as an adjunct faculty member at National University in San Diego, California where she taught courses in the special education graduate program and the autism certificate program.  Along with counseling students through completion of course requirements, Ms. Heller supervised student teachers through direct observation and provided consultation on teaching skills with on-site master teachers.  Ms. Heller has also facilitated IEP team meetings and program goal development, and she has mentored students, families and educators through successful transitions from one education level to the next. 

CLE Denver was founded in 2006 as College Living Experience's second location, and CLE currently offers learning-and-living assisted programs to students in six metropolitan centers across the United States.  For more information about CLE visit http://experiencecle.com. 

About College Living Experience

College Living Experience (CLE) provides post-secondary support to students with autism, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, and other exceptionalities contributing to special-needs learning.  CLE develops an individualized support program tailored around the unique learning challenges of each student.  Founded in 1989, CLE now provides support and services covering academics, independent living, social skills, and career development in six locations across the United States serving over 250 students every year.  Each CLE location in Austin, Texas; Costa Mesa, California; Denver, Colorado; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Monterey, California; and Washington, DC offers these pillars of support while students attend the higher education program of choice, including local community colleges, vocational schools, and universities.  The evolution and innovation of CLE is defined by the organization's mission to reach beyond the boundaries of traditional support systems to provide new opportunities to families and students with special learning needs.

SOURCE College Living Experience