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Sarah Belson
Professor, School of Education
Professional Background
Dr. Sarah Irvine Belson is a distinguished Professor of Special Education and currently holds the prestigious position of Executive Director of the Institute for Innovation in Education at American University in Washington, DC. With over three decades of experience in the education sector, Dr. Belson brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership in special education to her roles. Her professional journey is characterized by a committed focus on improving educational equity and opportunity for all children.
Having served as Dean of the School of Education for an impressive 13 years, Dr. Belson has demonstrated her capability in leadership and advocacy for educators and students alike. In addition to her dean role, she has also served as the Vice Provost for Research at American University, where she enhanced the university's research capabilities and initiatives. As part of her comprehensive vision for education, Dr. Belson has engaged in collaborative partnerships across various educational sectors, ranging from K-12 schools to higher education institutions. Her role as a Research Associate at the Office of the Mayor in Washington, DC, further exemplifies her commitment to bridging policy and practice in education.
Education and Achievements
Dr. Belson earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Arts in Education (MAE), and Ph.D. in Philosophy with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. Her educational background laid a solid foundation for her ongoing research and advocacy in special education, equipping her with both the theoretical and practical frameworks necessary for driving meaningful change in education.
As a researcher, Dr. Belson's work investigates the vital role that teachers play in fostering educational opportunity and equity, particularly for children with disabilities. Her current research areas include the intersection of child health and wellbeing with educational interventions, focusing on the mechanisms through which educators can effect positive developmental outcomes for students. This focus on early intervention is pivotal as it allows caregivers and educators to address challenges at the earliest stages, thereby improving overall educational success and enhancement of life opportunities.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Dr. Belson has not only pioneered research initiatives but has also contributed significantly to policy discussions on special education. Her work emphasizes the importance of researching teacher roles as levers of change, thereby equipping educators with the insights needed to make impactful choices in their classrooms. She has worked in diverse educational realms, including schools, school systems, industry, and academia, forming a holistic view of the educational landscape and enriching her perspective on effective teaching strategies and educational equity.
Dr. Belson's commitment to enhancing educational outcomes, particularly for children with disabilities, is reflected in her many professional endeavors and the academic contributions she continues to make. Her leadership in both K-12 and higher education emphasizes her dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable education system that champions the diverse needs of students. Her influence extends through her teaching as well, inspiring future educators to take up the mantle of advocacy and positive change in the educational field. Dr. Belson is emblematic of the determined pursuit of excellence in education, making her a prominent figure in the field of special education.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
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Clay is designed for anyone who values maintaining meaningful relationships. The app is popular among a wide range of industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. It’s even used by half the Fortune 500! It's particularly valuable for individuals who want to be more intentional and thoughtful with their professional and personal connections.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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