My Story
I Didn't Set Out to Become an Advocate.
I became an advocate because I became the parent of a child with unique educational needs. What began as my family's journey has become my life's work- empowering families to navigate special education with knowledge and confidence.
Like so many families, I found myself sitting around a conference table discussing my daughter's future. Except I wasn't just a parent- I was also a licensed special education teacher with more than 20 years of experience.
I knew the terminology. I knew the laws. I knew the process. Yet, as I listened, I was stunned by what I was hearing.
Statements that didn't align with the data. Explanations that conflicted with the law. Decisions that seemed to be driven by convenience rather than by my daughter's individual needs.
I started asking difficult questions, challenging assumptions, and insisting that the team consider all of the relevant information before making decisions about her education. And that's when I got the pushback, the defensiveness, and the dishonesty. That's when the school started making me into the enemy.
As I walked out of that meeting, I couldn't stop asking myself:
What would have happened if I didn't know what I know?
If I was hearing information that was inaccurate or incomplete despite my background in special education, what were other parents hearing? How many families were walking into meetings believing the school's recommendations reflected everything the law required? How many didn't know there were additional rights, protections, and options available to their children?
That realization changed everything.
Families need more than information—they need someone who understands the process, recognizes when something isn't right, and knows how to keep the focus on their child's unique needs.
I founded Shomer Education Advocacy to help parents navigate the special education process with knowledge, confidence, and an advocate by their side.
My Mission
Shomer means "guardian" or "protector."
That name reflects exactly why I created this practice.
I want parents to walk into meetings feeling prepared instead of intimidated.
I want families to understand their rights instead of wondering what they might be missing.
Most of all, I want children to receive the support and education they are entitled to receive so they can learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
Families should always have someone they can trust to help them navigate special education. If I can make that journey a little less overwhelming, then I've accomplished what I set out to do.
My Approach
The best outcomes are achieved through mutual respect, open communication, and a shared commitment to each child's success.
I build productive relationships with school teams by keeping conversations grounded in data, procedure, and a child's individual needs.
I help families understand their rights so they can speak up with confidence. I am here to assist families in navigating a rather complex system. That may include drafting correspondence for families, attending meetings, reviewing records, or untangling a complicated situation. My goal stays the same: practical solutions that keep things moving forward.
Each child deserves an educational program that recognizes their strengths, addresses their unique needs, and provides the support necessary for them to thrive.
I am committed to ensuring families feel fully included in all aspects of their child's education.
Why Families Choose Me
My advocacy work is built upon both lived experiences and decades of professional practice.
I've sat on multiple sides of the IEP table—as a parent, a special education teacher, a general education teacher, and now as an educational advocate. Those experiences have given me a unique understanding of the special education process from many perspectives.
Throughout my career, I have worked in school districts across Northern Virginia and in Washington, D.C. I know how schools operate, I know what the law requires, and I know when the two don't line up.
Families deserve honesty. If I believe a school's recommendations are appropriate and in a child's best interest, I'll tell you. If I believe a child's rights are being compromised or the law isn't being followed, I'll tell you that, too. My job isn't to create conflict, but I will never shy away from asking difficult questions, challenging inaccurate information, or holding schools accountable when they refuse to meet their legal obligations.
I pursue every available avenue to protect a child's rights. I have successfully filed and prevailed in multiple state complaints involving violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Degrees, licenses, and certifications are important—and I have them. But credentials alone don't make an effective advocate. The difference lies in having someone who isn't afraid to ask the hard questions, challenge decisions when necessary, and fight for what's right for your child.
When I advocate for your child, my only allegiance is to your family. Every recommendation I make, every strategy I develop, and every action I take is guided by a single question: