Irena Woodham earned her Bachelor of Science and her Masters of Education from the University of Cincinnati, and taught special needs children for 27 years.

She received many awards for her teaching, including the Distinguished Teacher Service Award from Cincinnati Public Schools; and was awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction for being nominated for Ohio Teacher of the year.

Ms. Woodham made three video documentaries about parents and children of special needs, including "Classroom Meditation with students who have Autism and Multi Disabilities." She used classroom meditation with her students daily.