Alma received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in English from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and her master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She is certified in working with students with learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, and English.

Alma has over thirty-eight years of education experience across a variety of educational sectors, including: public school, private school, adult education, correctional facilities, and hospital education. For the past thirty years she has dedicated herself to providing educational support services to children and adolescents in the ASK Pediatric Oncology/Hematology Clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. She specializes in the development of Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and 504 Plans, which assist students in developing the necessary accommodations to promote academic success in the classroom. While providing consultation on necessary student accommodations, Alma also acts as an advocate for the family and a liaison with the school system to ensure the most appropriate educational plan for academic achievement.

Alma provides individualized consultations for families, as well as educational testing services to determine areas of academic strengths and deficiencies. She believes it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of a child’s strengths and barriers in order to best determine their needs. For transition age students, she serves as a resource for college and professional planning by offering career assessments and consultation services.

Alma’s passion is engaging with young people, including spending time with her two grandsons, Carter and Grady. While it may seem like work, she enjoys coordinating programs and events for ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, such as weekend retreats, after-school tutoring programs and summer camps.