Cristina (Cris) Santoro
PostGrad Certification, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Leading Provision and Practice 2023
Position and company: Founder and Principal Consultant, Teaching Up
Cristina (Cris) Santoro has established herself as a leader in inclusive education. With a background in Corporate Sales and Marketing, Cris pivoted to education after discovering her passion for supporting students with special educational needs.
She explained: “The University of Sunderland accepted me on exception. I’m not an academically trained teacher beyond a few professional certifications. My background is in Corporate Sales and Marketing, and I stumbled upon inclusive teaching and school leadership as my second career.
“So on paper, I wasn’t qualified for the programme I enrolled in. But I had a passion to work hard for my students and their families, to accept everyone, and to learn as much as I could in order to create the ideal environment for them. I felt like Sunderland did exactly that for me; accepting me, knowing that I was different from other students, that I wasn’t an academic, that I wouldn’t fit the mould. And knowing that I would give back to the community.
“My course was HARD, but I absolutely loved it! My professor, Simon Ripley, was patient and such an excellent guide. I felt supported every step of the way (especially when reviewing my papers!!)”
Cris launched a startup Language Center in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at providing inclusive learning opportunities for marginalized students. Under her leadership, the center expanded rapidly from three to 17 employees. A significant achievement during this time was the 40% increase in parent engagement, which underscored the effectiveness of the inclusive community she fostered.
Cris’s approach is driven by her commitment to inclusivity and her understanding of diverse educational needs. She believes in building practical programmes that empower educators, parents, and students alike. Her experience as a "slomad"—someone who frequently relocates —has uniquely positioned her to adapt to different work cultures and communicate effectively across language barriers.
Talking to her biggest challenge, she said: “My biggest - and most rewarding - challenge is continuing to adapt to new workplace cultures. I live as a “slomad” and like to move to a new country every 1-3 years. I’ll be selecting my next destination soon, making it my fifth country for long-term stay. Adapting my personal and lifestyle preferences has been its own roller coaster, but by far the greatest challenge is quickly getting to understand work norms, communication nuances, how to bridge language gaps, and be effective in a professional capacity.”
Cris’s advice for recent graduates is: “Define your values, volunteer as much as you can make time for, and give yourself grace to learn, experience, explore, and change your mind.”
Currently volunteering with the United States Peace Corps as a Special Education Teacher Trainer in Dominica, Cris plans to refocus on her consulting business, Teaching Up, after this experience. She is also motivated to support educational initiatives for vulnerable populations, highlighting her ongoing commitment to social impact in education.