Dr. Valencia Hughes is a dedicated and experienced educator with a strong passion for teaching students with learning deficits and challenges, particularly those with special needs. With a remarkable career spanning 30 years in the Boston Public School system, Dr. Hughes currently serves as a middle-school mathematics teacher. Her academic journey took her from Northeastern University for undergraduate school to Wheelock College, where she distinguished herself by earning two master’s degrees.The first, a Master of Science in Elementary Education. The second, a Master’s in Special Education, which further honed her expertise in supporting students with diverse learning needs. Demonstrating a remarkable commitment to scholarship and research, Dr. Hughes pursued her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at Boston College.Driven by her unwavering belief in the transformative power of education, Dr. Hughes “Why” centers around empowering students with learning deficits or challenges to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. Her dedication, passion, and expertise have earned her the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues alike. Dr. Hughes' deep experience combined with her advanced degrees and tireless commitment to serving students with diverse learning needs, has established her as a trusted authority in the field of education. Her remarkable contributions and unwavering advocacy for inclusive education have undoubtedly made a profound impact on the lives of countless students in the Boston Public Schools system.