Provider Bio

After years of recognizing that she would never be able to change the broken system, Kari Bacallao, an experienced educator, finally took the initiative to create an entirely new system. As a certified special education teacher with over 17 years of experience working with students of unique abilities and challenges, she began her career in the public school system believing she could truly make a difference. However, her time in the classroom led her to recognize that it was the system itself that was failing students with learning challenges. Simply put, the system was designed as a one-size-fits-all model rather than individual learning plans tailored to each child’s unique learning styles.

Kari's experience is that, without an individualized tailored intervention, they never “catch up”. As an educator, there was nothing more heartbreaking than to see a child with so much potential have their confidence shattered and begin to think that they just “couldn't do it,” or that they will never succeed. When all along, it was the system that was the problem and not them. Kari knows well that if a child can’t learn the way she teaches, then she needs to teach in a way that they can learn.

Kari is excited to invite others to join her as together they can step outside their comfort zone and create possibilities for struggling learners. Outside the Box Academy was born precisely for those who did not fit the mold and designed to ensure children no longer fail at the hands of a prepackaged education.

Kari is a certified Special Education Teacher in Florida, qualified to teach from Kindergarten to grade 12. She has additional endorsements in ESOL, autism, and reading. Kari is also certified by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) as a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist and she’s working towards more dyslexia accreditation. She is dedicated to ongoing learning and is enthusiastic about fostering student success.

Provider Details

• Accepting New Clients
• Language Proficiency: English/Spanish
• Other Professional Certifications Held: M.Ed. in Special Education