Emerging Leaders Class of 2017

Mariana Cole-Rivera has a Greenspan leadership style, a method of teaching children in the spectrum in which the teacher follows the cues of the student. The thought is that the child will learn better if it comes from him. Cole-Rivera believes in everyone’s potential and that most don’t respond well when they are “told” what to do. She finds that Individuals are better when guided in their own greatness.

Cole-Rivera entered the Emerging Leaders program to gain a platform with which she can empower those with disabilities and change systems to make their lives better, now and in the future. Of her fellow 2017 Emerging Leaders, she said, “I got a group of people that I consider family and, regardless of time and circumstances, they will be able to count on me.”