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My name is Cara Salvant and I have been teaching in special education for over 12 years. For the last 5 years I have headed the special education department as the case manager and had the pleasure of partnering with teachers, parents, and clinicians to ensure that students receive appropriate academic support. I believe a holistic approach to student services is key which is why I consistently strive to support the total needs of each of our students.
I am a TeachPlus grant recipient and have also received recognition as a mentor teacher. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to successfully modify the Standards Based Curricula (CCSS) for K-8th grade special education to help ensure students’ academic success and teacher competency. My background in psychology has given me proficiency in assessment techniques (interviews, tests, and observations), qualitative/quantitative data analysis, establishing academic goals/action plans, and behavior management.
I received my BA in Psychology from Houghton College. I have earned an MA in clinical psychology and an MA in education with an emphasis in reading. My passion for quality education for others and myself is unceasing, which is why I am currently in the candidacy phase of completing a PhD in psychology specializing in cognition and instruction. My family knows the way to bring a smile to my face is turn on good music, laugh until our sides hurt and then settle in with a good comic book.
~ Cara
WHY DID I ASK CARA TO BE ON THE AMBASSADOR BOARD?
I am grateful that Cara is in my life. We have known each other for almost 20 years and raised our children together. In fact, for years my kids assumed they were cousins because we spent so much time together.
Cara is ridiculously smart and so very thoughtful. You can bring up any topic and Cara is willing to listen, research and engage in deep, deep conversation analyzing all aspects of the topic. This is why this woman has 2 Master’s degrees and is working on her Doctorate. She is always willing to ask me the hard questions and love me
while I am in the process of figuring it.
~ Nichole
My name is Jacqueline Milian. I am a strong Latina woman with family roots in El Salvador and Nicaragua. Family is very important to me, and I love spending time with my four children and nine grand babies. I was born in San Francisco, California. I moved to Miami and lived in Florida for 10 years until my husband was relocated to Iowa, which is where I now call home. Currently, I am the proud owner of Mammita’s Coffee, a Latin coffee shop and restaurant. I am also the proud owner of Flowers by Jacqueline where I am passionate about being a florist and event planner.
The words, “Go BIG or go home” is a great way to describe any event I plan. I am a self-made woman and the epitome of a dreamer who knows that with Hard work, dedication, perseverance and God, nothing is impossible! The only University I have ever attended is the “School of Hard Knocks”, in which I have acquired a prestigious Master’s degree. I’ve gone from cleaning houses, driving Uber, and climbing the corporate ladder to managing multiple dental practices as District Manager and now owning my businesses. I am the underdog that’s in your corner. I know how you feel and will be there to cheer you on when everyone wants to give up on you, including yourself… God has a plan for you, so be a dreamer and you can accomplish anything!
~ Jackie
WHY DID I ASK JACKIE TO BE ON THE AMBASSADOR BOARD?
Jackie is my dear friend who is always ready for a challenge and an adventure. Her heart is as big as the sun and she is willing to push up her sleeves and help everyone who comes across her path. She “Knows No Stranger” and everyone immediately falls in love with her heart after spending 30 seconds with her. This girl is strong and also VERY PERSISTENT when it comes to accomplishing or overcoming whatever comes her way. I am absolutely thrilled to have her in my corner!!
~ Nichole
My name is Monet. When my parents named me, they never could have imagined that I would be so passionate about art, much like my name sake. Art is a wonderful way to explore and experiment with the world which feeds my unquenchable curiosity. Art has taken many forms for me from piano, painting, drawing, singing, fashion & make up, dance and writing. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom bringing my brothers and I to the homeless shelter where we would play with and serve the children. At different times we had families and children live with us during their greatest time of need. It was just part of our lives to walk alongside those who needed help. Currently, I work part time at an Art studio giving classes. I am also passionate about making a difference in the world, so as a student at the University of Iowa I am pursuing my dream of becoming a Physician’s Assistant focusing in the field of genetics.’
~ Monet
WHY DID I ASK MONET TO BE ON THE AMBASSADOR BOARD?
What can I say, Monet is amazing…. and we needed some young blood to balance out us “older ladies”. I know it might seem biased since she is my daughter, but it is just true. Monet has always been the bright spot in a room with her beautiful warm smile and genuinely kind heart!! As well as being so smart, she started reading at 3 years of age and has wisdom beyond her years. I love how she can process and analyze things. We don’t always agree on everything, but she prioritizes our relationship and is always willing to meet me at least halfway and figure out a win-win for us both. I am so proud of the woman she is becoming.
~ Nichole
Before I start sharing my story, I want to say THANK YOU for taking the time to visit our website. My hope is that as you look through the pages, you too will be stirred to walk alongside and support someone in need. We all have something we can offer to help improve the well-being of another. Whether it is our time, our skills/talents, items we no longer need, or a listening ear. Our world becomes a better place and our lives are happier and healthier when we give to those in need. There is actually research to support that statement. Feel free to Google it, “The health benefits of volunteering and giving donations.”
For me, it is a dream come true to pioneer this non-profit, Ambassador. As far back as I can remember I have been passionate about helping others. I was born into a family lineage whose compassion has always compelled us to help others because “standing by and doing nothing” was never an option. Whether it was my Quaker Great, Great, Great Grandfather who protected slaves during the
years of the “underground” railroad in Salem, Iowa. Or my own parents who have always believed that when you see someone in need you “roll up your sleeves and get to work”. It is like helping is in our DNA.
As a child, I can remember trying to convince my two younger sisters that we should buy Christmas presents for children in need instead of buying for each
other. It wasn’t that we were rich, but I was moved by the sheer amount of need that was always around us. This desire to help others led me to obtaining a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and becoming a Marriage and Family
Therapist. After the birth of our three amazing, brilliant, kind, and funny children, Roman, Monet and Bronze I shifted my focus to being a stay-at-home mom (or) incorporated my stay-at-home-mom status by including my children in this
passion. My kids and I made cookies with children at the homeless shelter, bought groceries for strangers at Hy-Vee, and visited elderly in nursing homes.
Thankfully, my husband Lance, and I have shared the conviction that our family would live below our means so that we would have extra to give away to those in need. We’ve had amazing opportunities to give. A family lived with us for a month while their toddler underwent weekly surgeries. We’ve removed the debris from a single mom’s garage so she can park her car inside during the Iowa winter months, offering money and business strategies for a woman starting her own business. But there is still so much need!! As Ambassadors of Women, we can do even more!
