Aspiro is pleased to announce that Shawn Cleveland has been named the new Project SEARCH® Instructor at the Emplify/HSHS St. Vincent Project SEARCH site. In this role, Cleveland will lead classroom instruction and coordinate hands-on internship experiences that prepare young adults with disabilities for competitive, integrated employment.

Cleveland brings extensive leadership and instructional experience in special education, with a strong focus on vocational training, transition services, and postsecondary outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Most recently, she served as Principal of Syble Hopp School within the Brown County Children with Disabilities Education Board. Her work included supervision and coaching of certified and support staff, implementation of curricula in functional academics, independent living, community-based instruction, and vocational training, and close collaboration with families, educators, and district leaders across seven school districts.

Throughout her 20-year career, Cleveland has demonstrated deep expertise in IEP development and implementation, special education compliance, and data-driven instructional practices across early childhood through secondary levels.

“Shawn’s background in leading high-quality special education programming and her deep understanding of transition-focused instruction make her an exceptional fit for Project SEARCH®,” said Ryan Ruzziconi, President of Aspiro. “Her experience, passion, and commitment to student success will be a tremendous asset to our partnership with Emplify and HSHS St. Vincent, and most importantly, to the individuals we serve as they prepare for meaningful employment.”

Project SEARCH is a nationally recognized transition-to-work program that provides classroom instruction and immersive internship experiences within a host business setting.

Aspiro (www.aspiroinc.org)

About Aspiro

Aspiro was established in 1957 by a group of 67 parents of children with disabilities. Sixty-eight years later, and serving over 1,600 individuals and families, Aspiro still works to drive their work forward through eleven different services: Assisted Day Services, Birth To Three, Building Full Lives, Day Services, Employment Services, Group Supported Employment, Prevocational Services, Project SEARCH®, Recreation, Respite Care and Transition Services.