About Our President

Dr. Destiny Pacha began her career as a general education teacher and quickly found her passion for working with students with various educational and behavioral needs. Her classroom provided an inclusive opportunity for students with disabilities, and soon she helped develop a special education co-teaching model in her school. Dr. Pacha has over 20 years of experience in the education field. She has held many roles, including general education teacher, special education teacher, behavior specialist, inclusion facilitator, RtI/MTSS coordinator, Local Educational Agency (LEA), and exceptional student education specialist.

Dr. Pacha is a UCF Knight, through and through. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and ESOL Endorsement from the University of Central Florida. She also wrote and published a thesis as an undergraduate for the Honors in the Major program. She continued her education and added Exceptional Student Education and the Gifted Education endorsements to her certificate. She wanted to understand the school system's legal, financial, and administrative side, so she pursued her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from UCF.

Her passion for working with students with varying exceptionalities and their families became her personal and professional mission, which led her to return to UCF to earn her Doctor of Education with a concentration in Special Education in 2015. Pursuing that mission, her doctoral research focused on developing a professional development framework to enhance inclusive practices for students with disabilities in the general education setting, emphasizing the needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Emotional/Behavioral Disorders.

Since then, she has continued her professional career in education, supporting students, staff, and families through the IEP/EP/504 processes. She strives to develop and implement unique and meaningful ways for students to receive inclusive opportunities. She serves on the Board of Directors for several non-profits. The one she holds near and dear to her heart is Chance 2 Dance, Florida’s first fully inclusive, sensory-friendly, and accommodating dance studio.

Forming Empowered Education Solutions was a natural next step for her to be able to support families of children with exceptional needs throughout the country. Through ongoing collaboration with the family and school, she supports families in understanding the often-overwhelming special education process through personalized coaching and consultation services.

Dr. Pacha has joined efforts with Delta Behavior Services and the University of Florida to provide free educational services for families of children with Prader-Willi Syndrome through the Foundation for PWS Families. Dr. Pacha presented at the PWSA-USA National Convention in the summer of 2023 on the Educational Implications of PWS.

Dr. Pacha recently published the first and only children’s book about Prader-Willi syndrome. It Starts with Hello: Katie’s Story About Prader-Willi Syndrome helps children embrace their differences while also exploring their similarities. Making these connections empowers empathy.