#TopNotchVillages

THE VILLAGE BLOG

The Village Engagement Matrix

I was once an acorn who grew into a Mighty Mighty Oak Tree™. Then, I had the great honor of having my own acorn and the privilege of watching him grow from infancy into a young adult who contributes positively to his community. My acorn is on the autism spectrum and was nonverbal until nearly five years old. He is now an oak tree who finished his first semester in college with a 4.0, marched in the marching band, and established meaningful relationships on his university’s ca

From Acorn to Mighty Mighty Oak Tree™

Every child begins as a precious acorn, full of promise, purpose, possibility, and personal greatness. Every acorn has the potential to grow into a Mighty Mighty Oak Tree™ that contributes to society and improves our quality of life in the future. Every acorn needs a Top-Notch Village™ that nurtures, protects, and supports healthy growth and development so it has the opportunity to grow into a Mighty Mighty Oak Tree™. Every Top-Notch Village™ needs Well-Prepared Soil™ that pr

Episode 1: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman - Why we started sharing our autism journey.

Why we started sharing our autism journey. Five years ago, my son was transitioning from the Sapling stage of development (3rd–7th grade) into the Young Tree stage (8th–12th grade) within the Village Engagement Matrix™. These recorded conversations capture growth, communication, self-awareness, relationship development, and lived experience as an emerging Young Tree. Throughout this series, we explore three interconnected elements of the Village Engagement Matrix™: The develo

ABOUT THE VILLAGE BLOG

The Village Blog is powered by lived truth and proven victories. I am a mother who has been relentless in raising her son—an extraordinary individual on the autism spectrum—into a thriving adult.

I am a community teacher who has taught from elementary schools to universities, from government agencies to national stages. I am a researcher who lives in the space of family science and engagement.

Every post in The Village Blog is born from the body of work and wealth of knowledge built over nearly 30 years of professional experience as an international educator, 19 years of effective advocacy for my son, and mastering the craft of Top-Notch Village building to ensure his success.

My knowledge and expertise were forged in the everyday work of ensuring my uniquely developing son had every opportunity to maximize his personal potential. I have spent his lifetime building bridges and knocking down barriers rooted in limiting beliefs that could have kept him from realizing his dreams.

One morning, as I sat in the peace of having done it—the mother of a thriving college student—a Facebook memory reminded me of an article I wrote 13 years ago with tips for a great school year. Reading it again, I realized I had followed my own tips—and they worked. BOOM!!!!

So, The Village Blog was born when I realized the tips I wrote 13 years ago had raised a thriving college student—and the body of knowledge that I have cultivated belonged to the village, not just to me. Happy Reading! We Got This, as a Village!!!

Raising Superman

Raising Superman is co-authored by Dr. El and her son, Ricky II. Together, they weave their voices into one story that highlights the three characters of a Top-Notch Village: the child, the family, and the village members.

The book gives families and village members tips and strategies drawn directly from Dr. El’s Village Engagement Matrix™—a framework designed to help both work together so that children have every opportunity to maximize their personal potential.

At its core, Raising Superman shows what becomes possible when children grow up surrounded by belief in themselves, a positive identity, and a village committed to turning dreams into reality.