Melissa Cornelius-Freyre
• PhD student at UTSA in Interdisciplinary Learning & Teaching
• Researching disability and entrepreneurship
• Sharing education and disability ideas and info, along with a few stories about being a mom and grad student
- I got my 1st grader an analog clock for her room to help her learn to tell time. Yesterday she yells "Aah, I'm gonna miss story time!" (mind you, there is no specific time for story time) "This clock is stressing me out!" ...and this was her first experience of what adult life is like😆 #parenting
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-Freyre[This post could not be retrieved]
- I have taught my 6 year old daughter many things, but the truth is she has taught me just as much! Here are 5 things I have learned from her this year. #parenting #newyear #edusky
- I'll add "Pretty Perfect Kittycorn" to the list of books my kid loves that has been banned. We'll continue to read it, because it's a sweet story about friendship. Also, my kid thinks butts are funny. If kids relate or laugh at a story, that encourages them to read. We need more of that. #bookban 🦄
- You'll never guess what book got the Carroll ISD school library advisory committee to say "genitals" a dozen times in 20 minutes. @txfreedomread.bsky.social will have more on this story soon, but for now, you have to hear this audio. open.substack.com/pub/franklin...
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreI've had lots of requests to rerun my adaptive teaching webinar, so I'm hosting another one on 20th January. See the link below for details. Lots of practical advice on strategies for an inclusive classroom. Pay what you can to attend. Please share. Thank you! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
- Excellent article from @usatoday.com on dismantling the DOE & moving gen ed & spec ed to different departments, which "effectively segregates general & special education initiatives, & extinguishes the collaboration essential to serving and integrating all students." #EduSky #Education #DOE #sped
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreIn celebration of IDEA turning 50 years old, we wanted to share a list of businesses led by individuals with disabilities that you can support during small-business Saturday or anytime you choose! bit.ly/IDEA50_shop #disability #business #shopping
- Yesterday I attend the SACRD IDD & Disability Support Symposium. They have a newly designed portal to help individuals with IDD in the San Antonio area navigate resources. If you know someone who needs assistance, share the website! www.sacrd.org/directory/ #disability #IDD #SanAntonio #TX
- Yesterday I sat outside and worked while my daughter played in the mud. She was absolutely giddy to be so messy, and I realized how I've been letting the stress of having to clean up afterwards keep me from letting her play like this. Messes can be cleaned. Memories are forever. ❤️
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreSo many of us are fighting nasty autism disinfo, but we should also be proactive about sharing helpful autism info! Here are 11 ways to help make your autistic person's life easier. (Sometimes this info is helpful for autistic people, too!) thinkingautismguide.com/2017/04/elev... #neurodiversity 1/
- This sounds like a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in working on their PhD and improving the world of special education! #sped #EduSky #AcademicSky #Education
- "SAMEE, which stands for Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship, helps about 20 people explore and develop self-employment opportunities." You never know what you are capable of if you never get the opportunity to try it. Love this idea! #disability #entrepreneurship #self-employment
- To celebrate IDEA turning 50, the Teacher Education Division (TED) podcast interviewed Dr. Sheila Bailey. She discusses her professional & personal ties to the world of special ed over the last few decades. Check it out! #IDEA #disability #sped #Education #EduSky open.spotify.com/show/3AQijEv...
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreLove this 😁
- The Carl the Collector cartoon will feature a non-verbal character who uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to communicate. #RepresentationMatters #autism #disability
- Last week I had the opportunity to present research I've worked on at the Division of Career Development and Transition convention. This was a first for me! It was fun to talk to people about what we've been working on. #AcademicSky #DCDT #Transition
- Children with disabilities deserve strong oversight & support. Staff eliminations to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) threaten the implementation of IDEA and the rights it protects.📢 Urge Congress to restore OSEP immediately. #Education Find your reps: ballotpedia.org/Who_represen...
- Multiple sources tell NPR that, as part of the Trump administration's latest reduction-in-force, the U.S. Department of Education has gutted the office that handles special education. n.pr/48stHUo
- Apparently acing doctoral coursework is not a reflection of your ability to assist a 6 year old with their homework. #TheMoreYouKnow #AcademicSky
- Did you know: -56% of workplace accommodations cost nothing and benefit everyone -Designing for disability often sparks innovations that improve customer experiences -Companies that embrace accessibility attract talent, build trust, and outperform their peers #NDEAM #disability #employment
- October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! #NDEAM People with disabilities can be an asset to your team! Harvard Business Review says "Employing people with disabilities can significantly improve an organization" Read more here: hbr.org/2023/07/disa... #disability #employment #HBR
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreOct-National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Theme- "Celebrating Value & Talent." People w/ disabilities bring skills/creativity/perspective that strengthen all workplaces. Hiring barriers/bias shut many out. Raise awareness/challenge bias/promote inclusive practices that benefit everyone.
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreEDDIE Awards bolster entrepreneurs with disabilities roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/09/26/s...
- In honor of National Coffee Day, check out the story of Nate and Good Cup Coffee! ☕ I've been lucky enough to try a cup from their mobile coffee cart, and it was fantastic! #coffee #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #disability #SanAntonio
- Saran Tugsjargal advocated on behalf of special education students for the state disability commission, helping California change the label "emotional disturbance" to "emotional disability". What a fantastic example of self-advocacy turning into advocacy! #disability #education #EduSky #sped
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreDisability is not separate from humanity. It's a natural part of the human experience. Often times, disabilities can be a part of natural genetic variation. Celebrating our unique experiences makes us stronger, prepares us for a world full of differences, and promotes community and understanding.
- Entrepreneur Showcase: Gracie's Doggie Delights "Gracie's Doggie Delights is operated by an enterprising young woman with Down Syndrome who loves dogs... Gracie is in charge of packaging and labeling with her three rescue schnauzers playing quality control." #disability #entrepreneur #downsyndrome
- UTSA's Employ210 program is having their second Job Experience Event. This event is designed for neurodiverse individuals to get hands-on experience during a series of job-training rotations in culinary and catering. For details and registration, visit Employ210.com/Events. #SanAntonio #UTSA #job
- Morgan’s, the nonprofit that provides ultra-accessibility, has started Morgan's Inclusion Institute to help businesses, organizations, and government agencies create spaces for individuals with disabilities through training. Story from @texaspublicradio.bsky.social #inclusion #business #SanAntonio
- We often don't think about the mental load it takes to fit into a "regular" school day for students with #autism, #ADHD, and other #disabilities. We may provide accommodations for them, but we should recognize that they are making far more accommodations for us. #edusky #education #sped
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreWatch the latest Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on “The State of K-12 Education" here: www.help.senate.gov/hearings #senate #education #edusky #k12ed
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreA small act of kindness can go a long way Image: www.instagram.com/amytangerine
- "The decision to dismantle ACL (Administration for Community Living)... threatens to undermine the services that disabled and older individuals receive that enable them to live in their homes and communities." Read more in the report "Living Independently, Participating Fully" #disability #ACL
- "...history reminds us that courageous, collective action can create lasting change". How can we support people with disabilities and their fight for inclusion? Read more here: www.rwjf.org/en/insights/... #disability #justice #inclusion
- I found a large dry erase board at Goodwill and planned to use it to keep working notes for my dissertation. Well, the kiddo needed it more than I do right now, so a word wall and writing practice it is! #homework #EduSky #teacher #phd
- ❤️ this! Parents & community members finding solutions together. "Thrive will have low voltage lighting, gathering spaces that are sensory friendly... faucets & ovens shut off automatically if left on, among other well thought out elements" www.nj.com/realestate-n... #autism #disability #housing
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-Freyre“...I am living in a time where disabled people are more visible than ever before. And yet while representation is exciting and important, it is not enough. I want and expect more. We all should expect more. We all deserve more.” - Alice Wong #WednesdayWisdom #PwD #Quotes
- I'm beyond excited for this opportunity! ✨
- 🌟 Announcing the 2025–2026 TED Policy Fellows! 🌟 We are thrilled to introduce the newly selected TED Policy Fellows! These exceptional doctoral students have been chosen for their passion, talent, & commitment to advancing policy & advocacy in the fields of special education and teacher preparation.
- Education can feel like US vs THEM. It doesn't have to be! As a parent, I keep open communication with teachers & bring up concerns so we can solve them together. As a teacher, I worked to engage families & build a partnership. NTACT has info to help! transitionta.org/topics/famil... #edusky #sped
- We took a little break before school started back up and visited North Cascades National Park, which was breathtakingly beautiful! It's the 2nd least visited national park, which blows my mind. If you ever get the chance to go, take it! #vacation #nps #northcascades
- Entrepreneur Showcase: Candidly Kind! Grace Key started candidly kind 3/21/18 to spread light love and acceptance thru her original art and life. www.candidlykind.com #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #disability #business
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-Freyre“Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” Harold S. Kushner Kindness ripples. It travels further than we know. And sometimes, nearly always, it reaches exactly where it’s needed most. 🧡 #kindness #positivity Art by Joyfulsmolthings
- Presented today at the UTSA Summer Bridging Institute about preparing students at any age for the transition to adult life! Along with training, we shared a padlet with lots of resources for teachers. Please feel free to use & share! tinyurl.com/bdyz9mhj #EDUsky #teacher #sped #education #transition
- Affordable after-school programs are a necessity for many working parents. Withholding funding for this, English learners ,and professional development when schools have already allocated it into their budget will be devastating to students and communities. Time to call our reps. #EDUsky #school
- Hey educators in San Antonio and the surrounding area! UTSA is having their FREE Summer Bridging Institute this week! I'll be presenting Thursday morning about preparing students for transition at any age. Click the link to sign up. Hope to see you there! #EDUsky #teacher #educator #SanAntonio #UTSA
- This entire thread is worth the read 👀
- Have you heard of Person-Centered Planning? It can be a game-changer for people with disability! It brings everyone together as a support system for the individual to help them plan for their goals. Learn more here: opwdd.ny.gov/providers/pe... #personcenteredplanning #EDUsky #disability #sped
- I continue to be proud of the work & research @utsaroadrunners.bsky.social is doing to improve the lives of people with disabilities, including recognizing when an issue is less about the individual with a #disability and more about teaching those in the community. #utsa #PhD #AcademicSky #research
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyrePlus many people with disabilities have had to become proactive problem solvers which is a great skill for business owners
- Have you heard of micro-enterprises? They're small businesses that start with a minimal amount of money. This can be a way for people with disabilities to enter the workforce on their own terms! Read more here: www.everyonecanwork.org.au/employment-s... #disability #entrepreneurship #microenterprise
- Hey #elementary #educators: Here is a fantastic resource for teaching #self-determination to young children. Pages and pages of lessons to use! Check it out here: arkansastransition.com/images/Early... #EduSky #sped #teachers
- Have you heard of micro-enterprises? They're small businesses that start with a minimal amount of money. This can be a way for people with disabilities to enter the workforce on their own terms! Read more here: www.everyonecanwork.org.au/employment-s... #disability #entrepreneurship #microenterprise
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreHow can policy support autistic people’s access to employment? @annaremington.bsky.social (@craeioe.bsky.social) gave evidence to the House of Lords in May emphasising the importance of including autistic people in decision-making on employment and support priorities. www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/202...
- Entrepreneur Showcase: Trev's Trades! Trevor sells custom made soaps. He brainstorms ideas for soap, researches recipes, and plans out the steps necessary to make products. www.trevstrades.com/shop-all #entrepreneur #disability #autism #smallbusiness
- The 89th #Texas legislative session is over, and TDCC has a recap on what bills have been signed into law related to #disability. For more info on what passed and what didn't, check their session recap here: tcdd.texas.gov/wp-content/u... #txledge
- "Disabled business founders were 400 times less likely to secure investment than their non-disabled counterparts." Insightful article from Forbes about entrepreneurs with disabilities in the UK. It's well past time to level the playing field, especially with financing. #entrepreneur #disability
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-FreyreGrace is something we could use a lot more of in the world 😊
- Reposted by Melissa Cornelius-Freyre(1/2) "Apple Original Films said it is making a movie about Judy Heumann who was instrumental in fighting for civil rights protections for people with disabilities."
- Sharing my GOOD NEWS: Our pup, Wooferine, had surgery on a tumor last week and we just found out that they were able to get all the cancer removed! He's on his way to getting back to his perky self (and growing back all that missing tummy hair)! ❤️ #dogs #DogsofBlueSky #dogsky
- Hey educators! Are you looking for #transition assessments that will be meaningful for your students? The Zarrow Center has links to several #self-determination and life skills assessments, and most are FREE! #EduSky #sped #lifeskills
