Father, Advocate & Educator.
For me, educational leadership isn't just a career—it's a calling born from the quiet, difficult moments of fatherhood.
As a single father to two children with disabilities, I have seen firsthand how the traditional classroom can feel like a battlefield. I watched my daughter struggle to find safety in a system that couldn't accommodate her emotional depth, and I watched my son’s brilliance get lost behind a wall of anxiety. Their struggles revealed a hard truth: when a child fails to thrive, it is often because the system lacks the tools to support them.
This realization moved me to lead. Today, my mission is to create "Safehavens"—educational cultures that bridge the gap between a student's fear and their potential. I believe that for a child to truly flourish, their education must provide both mirrors and windows. They need mirrors to see their own identities reflected and validated within the curriculum, and windows to look out and envision a world of limitless possibility.
By shifting students out of their "Frustration Zones" and into their "Zone of Proximal Development," we return dignity to the learning process. True equity isn't about treating everyone the same; it’s about building the specific scaffolds—the "mirrors" of representation and the "windows" of opportunity—that every learner needs to move From Fear to Focus.
We need the radical empathy to change the system so we never have to ask a child to change who they are just to fit in.
Let’s transform education together. I’m looking for fellow advocates, parents, and leaders ready to build schools where every child is seen, heard, and empowered to win.
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Recognized regionally, statewide, and nationally.
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In 2023, Dr. Herrera was one of eleven special education teachers to receive the National Association of Special Education Teachers’ Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award. This national recognition award is bestowed on special education teachers who have demonstrated outstanding achievement as teachers in the field. Nominations are made by teachers’ respective school or district administrators, colleagues, and parents. Candidates are judged based on teaching criteria, service outside the classroom, and professional activities.
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In 2026, the California Teachers Association awarded Dr. Herrera for his exceptional dedication to social justice, equity, and human rights. He received this honor in the area of Students with Exceptional Needs.
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This prestigious regional award is presented to individuals nominated by school district representatives and selected by a review committee from the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). It honors those who have made outstanding contributions to students with disabilities. In 2023, Dr. Herrera received this distinction from the San Diego East County SELPA.
My Approach
We must blend adaptive instruction with holistic growth by creating custom-built tools and making real-time modifications to suit each student's unique learning profile. Rather than judging reactions, let’s treat behavior as valuable data to guide better communication and transform IEPs from static legal documents into dynamic, actionable plans. Through radical collaboration and data-driven decision-making, we can continuously refine our strategies to ensure that families and educators are united in helping every student win.
Adapt
Confidence fuels capability. We focus on what a student can do. By stacking small wins and celebrating progress, we turn "I can't" into "I did." Learning happens when you feel capable of success.
Trust
We move forward as a team. Education isn't a solo mission. I partner deeply with families to ensure we are all pulling in the same direction. When we trust each other, the student wins.
Belong
Every person has a seat at the table. We don't just accommodate differences; we celebrate them. In my learning spaces, safety and respect are the baseline, not the goal.
Empower
The system changes, not the person. Standardized plans don't work for non-standard minds. I build custom tools and modify the curriculum to fit unique strengths. If the tool doesn't fit, we build a new one.