As a parent, I have experience advocating for my son's educational needs in public schools. With my background in exceptional education, I am familiar with the legal language, jargon, forms, and procedures required to initiate the process. I persisted despite the challenges, and soon, my relatives began seeking my assistance to advocate for their children.
As an Educational Consultant and Change Coach, I am dedicated to building strong and productive relationships with students, schools, households, and communities. Addressing social, emotional, and behavioral challenges is essential for academic success. As an intermediary between schools and homes, I vigorously advocate for the needs of our students and ensure they receive the necessary services. My comprehensive services include curriculum design, test preparation, academic tutoring, special education programs, education system navigation, expert guidance, support services, education consulting, and educational partnerships. My ultimate goal is to provide students and families with the best possible education and support, enabling them to realize their full potential.
I pride myself on my professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality. My coaching relationships are based on mutual trust, respect, and a shared commitment to growth and development.
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Having an advocate can be a great support system for you. It can be quite overwhelming to attend a meeting where multiple school professionals discuss your child's educational needs and share a lot of information. An advocate can attend the meeting with you as your ally and assist you in comprehending the information being provided. They can also offer advice and support as the team makes decisions about your child's education.
Understandably, many parents can’t be certain about these issues. They seek advocacy support to help them identify what may be affecting their child’s education. This is what we do – assist families to pinpoint learning difficulties. Some families already have an analysis and are being served by an IEP/504. We can review these documents to ensure we meet all your needs.
Your child has the right to an appropriate education, including, if necessary, educational services designed to meet their individual needs to the same extent as the needs of a student without learning differences are met. Whether through an IEP or 504 plan, children with areas of vulnerability, chronic illnesses, and other learning impairments qualify for classroom accommodations.
One crucial distinction is that an advocate cannot offer legal advice, act as a representative for you in a legal capacity, or draft legal documents pertaining to a dispute. Nonetheless, an advocate can assess your child's educational records, accompany you to school meetings, and furnish guidance and assistance. An advocate is a member of your TEAM, the support network that works towards fulfilling your child's specific educational requirements.
An IEP, or individualized education plan, is created for students who require special education assistance due to a specific learning disability or health-related impairments. This plan is developed through a special education evaluation process that determines the child's need for specially designed instruction (SDI).
On the other hand, the Section 504 process is intended for students with an impairment that significantly impacts their learning. However, unlike an IEP, a 504 Plan focuses on accommodations and modifications within the general education program and does not require SDI.
Parents may find it more challenging to negotiate a well-written 504 Plan because this process is less specific than that of an IEP. Some teachers and staff may readily provide accommodations and support, while others may be reluctant or resistant to instruction or class management changes. It may be difficult for parents to know what accommodation to ask for or what is reasonable.
IEP and 504 Plan considerations address the same questions within the evaluation process. First, does the student have a diagnosis by a licensed clinician or a disability assessment by the school? If yes, is the diagnosis or disability causing an impairment in one of life's experiences, such as school? If yes, accommodations through a 504 Plan or SDI through an IEP may be appropriate.
Working with an advocate during the process can provide parents with the experience, knowledge, and expertise to navigate the questions guiding 504 and IEP meetings.