Behavior Specialist Spotlight: Marlen Meza at Excel Academy

Meet Excel Academy’s Behavior Specialist

Behavior specialist Marlen Meza, now in her second year at Excel Academy of Southwest, didn’t plan on a career in education. She worked in sales and dental assisting before becoming a paraprofessional, a role that changed everything for her.

“Once I started working in a special education setting, I fell in love with the work,” she said. “Seeing how motivated the staff were inspired me. Even with the challenges, coming in every day feels worth it because of my students.”

She also connected her work with students to her own mental health journey. “Helping them helped me stay grounded,” she said. “They’re the reason I stayed in education.”

A Personal Journey Into Behavior Support

Her first experience in education was at a suburban alternative school, where she supported K–12 students and learned the importance of consistent behavior support. That experience motivated her to continue working in alternative education and grow professionally.

“I wanted to keep doing more for students who need structure and someone who believes in them,” she said.

How a Behavior Specialist Supports Students Daily

At Excel Academy of Southwest, Meza collaborates with teachers in computer science, physics and robotics to support both academic and behavioral needs. She steps in when students become frustrated, breaks down challenging concepts and stays engaged in lessons to help maintain a productive learning environment. She also guides student lab assistants, who help their peers, and strengthens classroom culture.

“A lot of behaviors come from not understanding the material,” she said. “Helping them academically often prevents the behavior before it starts.”

Building Trust With Families Through Language and Culture

Meza plays a key role in supporting Spanish-speaking families. She translates during registration, parent conversations, and new student orientations, helping families fully understand what their students experience at school.

“Speaking their language builds trust,” she said. “When parents hear about both the challenges and the great things their kids are doing, they feel more connected.”

Celebrating Culture and Strengthening School Community

This year, she led Excel’s Hispanic Heritage Month and Day of the Dead celebrations. She created daily cultural spotlight slides for the townhouse, decorated the school, and organized a celebration that featured a live mariachi band and traditional foods such as tamales and tacos. Students described it as an unforgettable experience.

A Behavior Specialist’s Impact Beyond the Classroom

The most rewarding part of her job is seeing students show up motivated and excited to learn. She recalled one student from her first year who was academically strong but struggled to regulate her emotions. Meza supported her daily, encouraged her, and helped her navigate challenging situations. Even after the student was referred out, Meza continued to check in. Recently, she learned the student graduated and enrolled in college classes.

“Seeing that transformation reminded me why I do this work,” she said.

Meza is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in special education and plans to continue supporting students through behavior, communication, and small-group instruction. She also hopes to integrate her interests in computer science and art into her future work.

“Marlen consistently goes above and beyond for the school,” said Dr. Anthony Haley Jr., Ed.D., regional director in Chicago. “She brings her full commitment to every part of her job and reemphasizes the important multitiered academic and behavioral support we provide to our school communities, especially in our alternative education programs.”