Alyssa Ciarrocchi has spent more than a decade helping children grow, learn, and overcome challenges both inside and outside the classroom. Based in Hammonton, New Jersey, she built her career through patience, consistency, and a deep belief that every child deserves support that meets them where they are.
Growing up in South Jersey in a large, close-knit family, Alyssa learned early on the importance of connection and communication. Those values stayed with her as she pursued a degree in K–5 Education at Rowan University, along with a minor in Writing Arts and a Reading Certification. After graduating, she pursued a Master’s degree in Special Education from Saint Joseph’s University and later earned her Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC) certification.
Her early career took her into a wide range of classrooms. She worked as an inclusion teacher, taught students with multiple disabilities, and managed behavioral support rooms. Each experience gave her a deeper understanding of how children learn differently and how important emotional support can be in education.
Eventually, Alyssa transitioned into Applied Behavior Analysis and became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Today, she works with Brett DiNovi & Associates, supporting children and families in both school and home settings. Her approach focuses on practical strategies, consistency, and compassion.
Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with her husband, family, and their dog, Augee. Through every stage of her journey, she has remained committed to helping others build confidence, independence, and meaningful progress.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Most days start early for me. I usually wake up around 5:30 and go for a run before work. Running helps clear my mind before the day begins. After that, I review my schedule and notes for the children and families I’m working with.
My day is usually split between schools, homes, and meetings. No two days are exactly the same, which is one thing I enjoy about behavioral work. I try to stay productive by staying organized and focusing on small goals throughout the day instead of looking at everything at once.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I try to start small. In behavioral work, even the best idea needs to be realistic and consistent. If something feels too complicated, families usually won’t stick with it.
I also like observing before making changes. Sometimes the best solutions come from watching routines and understanding what’s actually causing stress or frustration for a child.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited about how technology is being used in behavioral support and education. There are more tools now that help parents and therapists track progress and communicate more easily.
I think technology works best when it supports relationships, not replaces them.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Writing things down. I keep handwritten notes throughout the day because it helps me stay focused and remember details. Small observations can become important later.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would say not to put so much pressure on yourself to have everything figured out immediately. Early in my career, I thought I needed to know all the answers. Over time, I learned that listening and adapting matter more.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think children sometimes benefit from boredom. A lot of people try to fill every second with activities or screens, but quiet moments can help creativity and independence grow.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I check in with people directly instead of making assumptions. Whether it’s a student, parent, or coworker, asking simple questions can prevent many misunderstandings.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away for a few minutes and reset. Sometimes that means taking a walk or organizing my notes. I’ve learned that slowing down briefly actually helps me work better afterward.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Being consistent has helped me more than anything. Families and schools need reliability. Even small follow-through matters. Over time, consistency builds trust, and trust creates long-term relationships.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Earlier in my career, I tried to solve every problem on my own. I thought asking for help meant I wasn’t prepared enough. Eventually, I realized collaboration makes outcomes stronger.
That changed how I work with teachers, therapists, and families now.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I think there’s room for more local support groups that combine behavioral education with casual community activities for parents. Sometimes families need practical support and connection at the same time.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Calendar honestly helps me a lot. My schedule changes constantly, so color-coding appointments and reminders keeps everything manageable.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book I’ve gone back to several times is Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection. I like that it talks about self-awareness, vulnerability, and letting go of unrealistic expectations. A lot of those ideas apply to working with children and families because progress is rarely perfect.
For podcasts, I enjoy The Mel Robbins Podcast. I like how practical and straightforward it is. There are a lot of conversations about motivation, routines, and mindset that feel easy to apply to everyday life.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently watched Ted Lasso, and I really enjoyed it because it focused so much on empathy, leadership, and personal growth. The characters all had different struggles, but the show handled them in a realistic and positive way. I think it’s a good reminder that patience and encouragement can make a big difference in people’s lives.
Key learnings
- Small, consistent changes often create stronger long-term results than dramatic short-term solutions.
- Building trust through reliability and communication can strengthen both professional and personal relationships.
- Collaboration leads to better outcomes than trying to solve problems alone.
- Technology works best when it supports human connection rather than replacing it.
- Creating space for reflection, routine, and balance can improve focus and productivity over time.