107. I Found A Way To Present Hope! w/ Dr. Cherry-Ann Joseph Hislop, Director of Special Education

Dr. Cherry-Ann Joseph-Hislop, Ed.D. is the Director of Special Education for Brooklyn North, where she provides strategic, district-level leadership to advance equitable, high-quality services for students with disabilities across a diverse portfolio of schools. A nationally recognized educational leader, international educator, and consultant, Dr. Hislop brings more than 20 years of experience in urban public education, with deep expertise in systems leadership, instructional improvement, compliance, and large-scale organizational change.Dr. Hislop earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago, a Master’s Degree in Special and Inclusive Education from the University of Sheffield in England, and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Andrews University in Michigan. Her professional preparation includes advanced training in literacy education, therapeutic crisis intervention, emotionally intelligent schools, and school turnaround leadership through institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Cornell University. She holds New York State certifications as a School District Leader, School Building Leader, and Special Education Teacher, and is a trained Behavior Analyst.Throughout her career, Dr. Hislop has served in leadership roles across K–12 systems, including Principal, Assistant Principal, Staff Developer, and Special Education Master Teacher. She is widely regarded for leading successful school transformation efforts, strengthening instructional coherence, and building leadership capacity among educators. Her leadership has resulted in measurable gains in student achievement, strengthened compliance and service delivery, and the successful removal of schools from state accountability designations.Dr. Hislop’s scholarship and professional work center on special education systems, equity, and improved outcomes for students with disabilities. She has designed and led innovative transition initiatives, forged cross-agency partnerships to expand workforce opportunities for students with disabilities, and advanced inclusive practices that have produced historic academic gains for students with complex learning needs. She is the author of Beyond the Bell: A Guide for Parents and Educators to Raise Neurodiverse Children with Confidence, a practical, research-informed resource that equips families and educators with strategies to foster meaningful, long-term success for neurodiverse learners.In addition to her district leadership, Dr. Hislop is a frequent presenter at professional conferences and educational forums, facilitating learning on school turnaround initiatives, data-driven instruction, leadership development, and special education compliance. Her work is grounded in a steadfast commitment to equity, accountability, and excellence for all students, particularly those with disabilities. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including citations from the New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, the Borough President of Brooklyn, and the Office of Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, as well as the Women of Distinction Award.Dr. Hislop is married to Linden Hislop, an Assistant Principal in the New York City Public Schools. Together, they are the proud parents of two daughters: Cheryssa Hislop, a third-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, and Lynessa Hislop, a fourth-year psychology and marketing major at Oakwood University. In addition to her work in education, Dr. Hislop is a professionally trained singer and recording gospel artist who performs for audiences around the world during her spare time.Please Follow Dr. Hislop on Instagram @cherryannjosephhislop and on Facebook : Cherry Ann Joseph Hislop