My journey started many years ago working as a Child Welfare Specialist in the foster care system. I later worked as a mental health counselor (LCPC) working with children, adolescents and their families. My first job was in a private therapeutic day school with my first exposure to IEPs. I wrote social emotional goals for teens who had emotional struggles. I was able to take this knowledge to various other positions as a mental health counselor. I was able to assist parents at home and with issues that came up at school. Throughout this process I was able to form relationships with teachers, social workers and counselors at schools to help students in their schools. I made recommendations for students for IEP goals and also assisted parents who needed help in obtaining IEPs for their children. In addition, I attended IEP meetings for parents who requested my presence at their child's meeting. During my career as a Mental Health Counselor I developed a sub-specialty of working with Autistic students mostly who had low support needs. Flashforward to 2014, my husband and I had been in the adoption process and a couple chose us to adopt their daughter. I then ended up closing my private practice due to our childcare situation. Two years later our daughter was diagnosed with Autism. She is also non-verbal. At age 3, she went to the Early Childhood Program in our local school district. I was now on the other side of the IEP table. Given my daughter's multiple support needs going back to work was not really an option except on a very part-time basis. In March 2021, I completed the Master IEP Coach Mentorship Program and am part of the Master IEP Coach Network! I am looking forward to helping parents get the services and accommodations their children need to be successful in school.