Teaching and Learning Connections (TLC) is an educational consulting firm founded and led by Dr. Cristina Rodríguez Chen, a nationally recognized expert in special education and culturally responsive practices. With over 32 years of leadership experience in public education, Dr. Chen brings deep expertise in evaluating and supporting culturally and linguistically diverse students. She holds a Ph.D. in Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Educational Leadership and is both a Texas Registered Professional Educational Diagnostician (RPED) and a Nationally Certified Educational Diagnostician (NCED). At Teaching and Learning Connections, we believe in equipping schools, educators, and families with the tools they need to support every learner—particularly those who are often misunderstood due to language, cultural differences, or complex learning profiles. Our services are designed to ensure that students receive equitable, evidence-based, and legally compliant support. We offer a comprehensive suite of services that include: •Educational Consulting for districts and organizations seeking strategic support around special education, bilingual education, and inclusive practices. •Professional Development tailored to client needs, with topics including evaluating diverse learners, the impact of culture on achievement, and language proficiency. Bilingual sessions for families and staff are also available. •Coaching and Mentoring for administrators, new evaluators, and special education teams in the areas of leadership, compliance, and evaluation best practices. •Compliance Monitoring and Support aligned with IDEA, Section 504, and state policies, including on-site and virtual coaching for sustained implementation. •Psycho-educational Evaluations conducted with cultural and linguistic sensitivity to differentiate language acquisition from disability. •Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) offering second opinions on student diagnoses or IEP recommendations. Dr. Rodríguez Chen has served as as an expert witness for due process hearings. She has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas and at Dallas Baptist University. She currently teaches special education and assessment courses at Stephen F. Austin State University. She is a frequent keynote speaker and presenter at state and national conferences and was honored with the Legacy Wall Award for her impact on education in Texas. Based in Roanoke, Texas, Teaching and Learning Connections partners with public and private schools, charter networks, and families across Texas and beyond. Our work is rooted in a high-impact consulting approach that helps clients identify readiness, implement meaningful changes, and sustain long-term success. Every project includes hands-on support, staff training, and clear deliverables to ensure that consultation results in action. At Teaching and Learning Connections, we believe every learner deserves to be understood, and every educator deserves the tools to make that possible.