The field of special education has always been close to my heart. I began my teaching career over 22 years ago, and at the time, I was conflicted when faced with choosing a credential path. While I ultimately chose general education, my journey led me back to special education after having children of my own. When my oldest son was in 4th grade, I attended an eligibility meeting for him. Although I had the advantage of teaching at his school and had participated in numerous child study, eligibility, 504, and IEP meetings before, I left that meeting feeling deflated and frustrated. Refusing to accept comments like "I think you just need to accept that school isn't his gig," I delved into special education and fully immersed myself in order to become a confident and effective advocate for him. Since then, I have focused on helping and educating families about their rights. Too often, families feel disappointed by the special education process. With my experience as a parent, teacher, and advocate, I effectively collaborate with teachers and administrators to create the best possible programs and supports for students. I leverage my knowledge of services, supports, goal writing, accommodations, alternative placements, inclusion, and assessment to ensure success for children with diverse needs.