The Moment I Realized Parents Needed Someone in Their Corner

When I started my career in education, I believed that everyone sitting around a conference table wanted the same thing: to help children succeed.

And for the most part, that's true.

But over the years, I began noticing something that bothered me.

A parent would walk into a meeting with genuine concerns about their child. Around the table would be teachers, specialists, administrators, psychologists, counselors, and other staff. Everyone would start discussing data, interventions, eligibility criteria, progress monitoring, accommodations, and educational plans.

The conversation would move quickly.

Too quickly.

And somewhere along the way, the parent—the person who knew that child best—would become the quietest person in the room.

I watched parents nod politely when they didn't understand the terminology being used. I saw parents leave meetings unsure of what had actually been decided. I met parents who felt guilty for asking questions because they didn't want to be seen as "difficult."

That never sat right with me.

Parents shouldn't need a degree in education to understand what's happening with their child.

They shouldn't feel intimidated by school meetings.

And they certainly shouldn't feel like they're sitting on the outside of decisions that directly impact their child.

That's why I became an educational advocate.

Not because I believe schools and families should be on opposite sides.

Quite the opposite.

I believe the best outcomes happen when schools and families work together as true partners.

My role is to help parents understand the process, ask informed questions, and confidently participate in decisions about their child. Sometimes that means attending meetings. Sometimes it means helping a family understand evaluation results. Sometimes it means translating educational jargon into plain language.

My ultimate goal isn't to make parents dependent on me.

It's to help them feel empowered enough that they no longer need me.

Because every parent deserves to walk into a meeting feeling informed, confident, and prepared to advocate for their child.