As a first-time mom to a daughter born prematurely with several diagnoses, I approached the transition from UCLA’s Intervention Program to the district evaluation and IEP process with equal parts hope and nerves. Since she was nine months old, our family had been part of UCLA’s program—a place where parents could observe their children through a viewing room, help set up lunch while the kids played outside, and easily speak with the director, who was present in the classroom and always available to families. As my daughter approached her third birthday, we were leaving an environment we had known and trusted for years to enter an entirely new world. I was proud of her—but also pretty nervous, and honestly a little scared for her. Mrs. Serrano answered many of those worries before the school year even began. After our evaluation and IEP meeting, she took time to thoughtfully answer my questions and reassure me of her commitment to her students and their families. Within an hour of submitting enrollment forms, she personally called me to walk me through the class schedule, make sure I had her contact information, and help me set up ClassDojo so I could stay connected through messages, updates, and photos from the classroom. That simple app became my new version of the proverbial “observation room.” Through ClassDojo, I receive small but meaningful updates—what foods my daughter is showing interest in at lunch, or the discovery that she prefers Minnie Mouse Pull-Ups over the Moana ones I packed. Those details tell me she is truly being seen and cared for. The photos and updates not only give me moments to add to her photo album, they also give me peace of mind as a work-from-home mom, allowing me to drop her off, focus on my work, and pick her up with far less worry. In the classroom, Mrs. Serrano creates an environment where students feel welcomed, engaged, and supported. She communicates consistently with families and works closely with my daughter’s support team so we always understand how to best support her growth. My daughter loves jingles, and Mrs. Serrano and her team took the time to learn them. It may seem like a small thing, but those jingles help my daughter transition, feel included, and know she is heard and understood. Mrs. Serrano has created a classroom built on respect, care, and open communication—a safe space not only for my daughter, but for me as a parent navigating this journey. For our family, that kind of care makes all the difference.