Darlene graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring in Animal Nutrition, from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2001. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education and Inclusive Education at New Era University, launching her career as a Special Education Teacher at Lagro High School in 2012, where she worked until 2019. Her qualifications include passing the United States Licensure Examination for Teachers (PRAXIS I) in 2006, the Career Service Professional Examination in 2007, and obtaining her Licensure as a Professional Teacher in 2009.
Darlene’s journey into Special Education began at Lagro High School in Quezon City, where she managed a multi-disability, multi-grade class, teaching students with a range of disabilities. This experience honed her expertise in classroom organization, curriculum adaptation, and instructional modification, establishing her as a skilled and compassionate educator.
Since joining Balibago Elementary School in 2019, Darlene has made substantial contributions to research in Special Education and Inclusive Education. She presented her study “Children-AT-Risk, Remediation, Identification and Early Detection (CARRIED): Transcending Education Beyond Barriers” at the 8th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In 2024, she presented “Support Provision for Receiving and Inclusive Education Teachers Empowerment (SPRITE): A New Milestone for Special Education and Inclusive Education” at the 9th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference in Bali, Indonesia.
Currently, Darlene serves as the Special Education Key Teacher and Research Coordinator at Balibago Elementary School. She is an active member of the Santa Rosa City Research Council, continuing her commitment to advancing inclusive education and contributing to impactful research in the field.
