American College of Education (ACE) is excited to introduce our 2026 Alumni Achievement Award recipient, Dr. Christine Besa-Vidal! She graduated with an M.Ed. in Literacy from ACE in 2025, among additional credentials from other institutions – a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. Her extensive experience in education is marked by international advocacy for special education in her home country of the Philippines and serving culturally diverse students in remote locations, including Alaska.
As a servant leader, Besa-Vidal’s commitment to making an impact on educators and students alike is inspiring and admirable. We were thrilled to learn more about her career.
ACE: Congratulations on receiving the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award! How does it feel to be selected for this honor?
Dr. Christine Besa-Vidal (CBV): Receiving the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award is both humbling and deeply meaningful. Throughout my career, I have focused on serving students with diverse learning needs, supporting educators and advocating for inclusive education rather than seeking recognition. This award reminds me that the work we do each day can create a lasting impact on the lives of students, families and communities.
I share this honor with my mentors, colleagues, students, families and everyone who has been part of my journey. I am especially grateful to ACE for helping me continue growing as an instructional leader and lifelong learner. The knowledge and experiences I gained at ACE continue to strengthen my work, allowing me to expand my impact across schools and communities in both Alaska and the Philippines.
ACE: Tell us about your career path and what led you to your current role.
CBV: My career began in the Philippines in 2006 as a special education (SPED) teacher, where I discovered my passion for helping students with diverse learning needs achieve meaningful success. Over the past two decades, I have served as a SPED teacher, mentor, college instructor, consultant and trainer, always seeking opportunities to improve educational outcomes through collaboration, innovation and evidence-based practice.
My experiences in the Lower Yukon School District and now in the Kodiak Island Borough School District have allowed me to work with culturally diverse communities while strengthening my expertise in literacy intervention, data-driven instruction and inclusive education. Today, I provide individualized support and targeted literacy interventions for students, mentor fellow educators, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and continue advocating for equitable educational opportunities through teacher training and special education initiatives.
ACE: Earning your M.Ed. in Literacy at ACE is among four other degrees you previously obtained – a bachelor’s, two master’s and a Ph.D. degree. What led you to continue your education at ACE?
CBV: Each degree I have earned represents an important step in my journey as an educator and leader. My bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology gave me a strong understanding of human behavior and development, while my master’s degrees in early childhood education and special education deepened my knowledge of child development, inclusive practices, curriculum design and individualized instruction. Earning my Ph.D. in Special Education Leadership strengthened my ability to lead programs, mentor educators, conduct research and advocate for systemic improvements that promote equitable opportunities for learners with disabilities.
As my career evolved, I realized that literacy is the foundation of all learning, especially for students with diverse needs. This inspired me to pursue my M.Ed. in Literacy at ACE. The program complemented my previous academic preparation by providing practical, research-based strategies in structured literacy, assessment, intervention and data-driven instruction that I could immediately apply in my work.
The program complemented my previous academic preparation by providing practical, research-based strategies in structured literacy, assessment, intervention and data-driven instruction that I could immediately apply in my work.
Dr. Christine Besa-Vidal, 2026 Alumni Achievement Award Recipient
It strengthened not only my instructional practice but also my leadership, allowing me to mentor educators more effectively, design impactful professional development, and expand literacy and special education initiatives that continue to benefit schools and communities.
ACE: You’ve worked with various populations, including Alaskan communities and students in the Philippines. Tell us about these experiences and how serving students in Alaska differed from the Philippines. Were there similarities, too?
CBV: Teaching in both Alaska and the Philippines has been one of the greatest privileges of my career because it has shown me that while cultures, educational systems and available resources may differ, every child deserves to be seen, valued and supported.
In Alaska, I learned the importance of culturally responsive teaching, collaborating closely with families and adapting instruction to meet the unique needs of students living in remote and Indigenous communities. In the Philippines, I have worked with schools, educators, families and community stakeholders to strengthen inclusive education, often helping build systems and provide professional development where specialized services are still developing.
Despite these differences, I found that the foundations of effective teaching remain the same. Students thrive when educators build trusting relationships, maintain high expectations, collaborate with families and provide individualized support. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to ensuring that every learner has access to high-quality, equitable education regardless of where they live.
ACE: As part of your journey in education, you’ve supported students in remote learning environments. How did your ACE program help you grow your expertise in this area?
CBV: Supporting students in remote learning environments challenged educators to rethink how instruction could remain meaningful, engaging and accessible. My experience at ACE strengthened my ability to design effective literacy instruction across traditional, remote and blended learning settings. It reinforced the importance of using assessment data to make instructional decisions, differentiate learning experiences and implement evidence-based interventions that address each student’s unique needs.
My experience at ACE strengthened my ability to design effective literacy instruction across traditional, remote and blended learning settings. It reinforced the importance of using assessment data to make instructional decisions, differentiate learning experiences and implement evidence-based interventions that address each student's unique needs.
Dr. Christine Besa-Vidal, 2026 Alumni Achievement Award Recipient
Perhaps most importantly, ACE emphasized the value of collaboration with families, educators and multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of learning beyond the classroom. These lessons continue to influence my daily practice as I develop interventions, monitor student progress, mentor educators and create learning experiences that are accessible, engaging and responsive to diverse learners.
ACE: Tell us about the Special Education Training Center initiative you spearheaded in the Philippines and how your coursework at ACE prepared you for this opportunity.
CBV: One of the initiatives closest to my heart is the Special Education Training Center, which I established to strengthen the capacity of teachers, school leaders, parents and community members in supporting learners with diverse needs. Through this initiative, we provide practical, evidence-based professional development in inclusive education, literacy, assessment, intervention strategies, classroom management and behavior support. Our goal is to empower educators and families with the knowledge and confidence to create learning environments where every child can succeed.
My coursework at ACE significantly influenced the development of this initiative. The program equipped me with current research, structured literacy frameworks, assessment practices and instructional strategies that I have integrated into our training modules and mentoring programs. It also reinforced the importance of building sustainable systems that strengthen educators’ capacity rather than relying solely on short-term workshops.
ACE: What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in special education leadership, especially roles supporting culturally diverse communities?
CBV: Never stop learning, because the needs of students, families and communities continue to evolve. Effective leadership begins with listening to and understanding the strengths, culture and lived experiences of the people you serve before seeking to implement change. Allow research, evidence and collaboration to guide your decisions, but always lead with compassion, humility and respect.
Our greatest impact is not measured by titles or achievements but by the lives we help transform.
Dr. Christine Besa-Vidal, 2026 Alumni Achievement Award Recipient
Most importantly, remember that leadership is about service. Our greatest impact is not measured by titles or achievements but by the lives we help transform. When we empower educators, partner with families, advocate for equitable opportunities and remain committed to lifelong learning, we create meaningful and lasting change that extends far beyond the classroom and positively influences future generations.
Being an American College of Education (ACE) alum has its perks. When you return as an alum for another program, you receive discounted tuition with the Alumni Continuing Education Grant. Alumni can also refer a friend to an ACE program and get exclusive rewards.
