Melissa is excited to help parents and school districts across the country navigate the school system, negotiate IEP & 504 plans, and consult in complex casework. Melissa has an “insiders perspective” as an experienced district Special Education Senior Supervisor, a district Supervisor over inclusionary practices, a district-level compliance teacher, and a school-level ESE coordinator and ESE teacher. This in-depth experience serves as the foundation for her practice.
Melissa focuses on how to use a simple 3 step process to build communication between families and schools. This is centered around a collaborative framework rather than conflict and adversarial relations.
Melissa has in-depth experience in inclusionary practices, extensive knowledge of state board statutes and rules, and has developed procedures and processes based on special education best practices and legalities across the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
She has also served as a special education advocate for families in over 20 states and is passionate about sharing her knowledge in order to help parents and educators understand how they can change the trajectory of special education through their unique role.
Additionally, Melissa is a foster parent and the oldest sibling of 5 children. She uses powerful storytelling and uplifting stories to empower parents in their journey in parenting.
Melissa's family is transracial and she speaks to the critical dialogue and communication that is needs in order to have a family that connects through conscious feelings and empathy.
