Overview
Eliana Tardio is a Project Associate II for the Special Education Policy and Practice Team at WestEd. An expert in communications and social dissemination, she currently contributes as a Communication Strategist to the National Center for Systemic Improvement and as a Social Media Manager for the National Center for Educational Outcomes. Tardio also coleads the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) community of practice for OSEP-funded Technical Assistance Centers and is a member of the national IDEA State Advisory Panels (SAP) and the State Interagency Coordinating Councils (SICC) group.
With over 20 years of experience across various levels of the educational system, Tardio specializes as a family engagement expert and inclusion advocate. She is committed to using technology and social media to provide equitable and accessible information to interest holders, particularly parents and self-advocates, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. With this mission in mind, Tardio advocates for the early adoption of innovation to empower individuals as champions of equity and inclusion.
Tardio is also recognized as a social media expert, being one of the first bilingual Latinas to leverage social media for positive change. Her work has been acknowledged and awarded by Disney and YouTube, and she was invited to the White House under President Obama as one of the most influential Latina bloggers of her time.
Before joining WestEd, Tardio was the State Communications Director for the Florida OSEP-funded Parent Training and Information Center, FND. As the mother of two children with Down syndrome and dual language learners, Tardio is a well-known advocate for inclusion and diversity at both national and international levels. Following the births and diagnoses of her children, Tardio transitioned her PR career to focus on advocacy and education. She is committed to helping children with disabilities and their families succeed, particularly those in underserved communities with limited access to information due to national origin, first language, or disabilities.
Education
- Certification on Family Engagement in Education, HarvardX
- Certification on Introduction to ChatGPT, EdX
- Certification on Big Data for Social Good, HarvardX Online
- MLS in legal studies, summa cum laude, Hodges University, FL
- BS in communications, Hodges University, FL
- MB in business administration and marketing, Universidad de España
- BS in Public Relations, Universidad NUR, Bolivia
Select Publications
Tardio, E. (2024). Enhancing the school-home connection: Empowering parents with artificial intelligence. Center for Innovation, Design, and Digital Learning, Inclusive intelligence: The impact of AI on education for all learners (pg 69-75).
Hinkle, A. R., Tardio, E., Ressa, V. A., Lazarus, S. S., Kwon, S., Katanyoutanant, T., McNeilly, M., Hemberg, B., Nagle, K., Liu, K. K., Strunk, K., & Thurlow, M. L. (2023). Communicating about annual state assessment participation for all students: A communication toolkit. National Center on Educational Outcomes.
Tardio, E., Strunk, K., Hinkle, A. R., & Lazarus, S. S. (2023). Empowering families to understand the role of assessments in State Systemic Improvement Plans (SSIPs) toolkit. National Center on Educational Outcomes.
Honors, Awards, and Affiliations
Grace Place Naples – Story of Success (March 15, 2018)
SWFL Woman of Courage and Commitment – Hodges University (March 12, 2017)
Top 7 Latino Storytellers With a Social Cause by YouTube (March 10, 2016)
Best Latino Advocate using Technology in an Initiative of Latinos in Social Media and the White House (October 15, 2015)
Most Inspirational Latina Blogger LATISM (October 24, 2014)
Best Latino Health Blogger by Latinos in Social Media (November 2013)
United Nations Latino Leader Invitation (November 2013)
Top Latina Influencer by Disney (November 2013)
Latina Leader – Top Latinas Retreat at the White House (October 16, 2012)
Top 100 Mom Bloggers by Babble/ Disney (November 2012)
7 Most Inspirational Latina Mothers by Café Moms (February 2012)
Inspirational Latina Mom by Latinos in Social Media (January 2012)
Top 20 Most Influential Latinas in USA by Voxxi (2012)
Recent Media Appearances
- “Han crecido sabiendo que son personas valiosas”: esta madre cuenta su experiencia criando a hijos con síndrome de Down, Univision, July 8, 2022.
- “Emigré porque estaba desesperada por cambiar el futuro de mi hijo”: la historia de una mamá de dos niños con síndrome de Down, Univision, January 11, 2017.
