Special Education Advocacy
Hi! I'm Katie.
I'm an experienced educational consultant and certified special education teacher, dedicated to helping all students succeed. I specialize in special education advocacy. With over 15 years in education, I bring both deep expertise and a passion for providing personalized support that helps every child succeed in their educational journey.
My Approach
At The Connected Student, my approach is grounded in the belief that every child deserves to be seen, honored, and supported as a whole child. The focus of my work is always on creating meaningful connections and designing solutions that work in real life - not just on paper. The world of special education is challenging to navigate, and no family should have to do it alone. I am here to provide clarity, collaboration, and evidence-based strategies to achieve successful student outcomes.
My Experience
Special Education Advocacy Experience
My extensive experience with both high-incidence disabilities and low-incidence disabilities makes me uniquely qualified to advocate for families. I am deeply familiar with special education law and practices and the language in which it is expressed. I understand what that language means for your child’s day-to-day school experience.
Educational Testing
Experience
Over the past decade, I have administered and reported on hundreds of educational evaluations,including Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) for special education eligibility purposes. I am known for producing thorough, clear reports and for explaining results in a way that helps families and school teams create effective, individualized learning plans.
Literacy Intervention Experience
I am trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, which is grounded in the Science of Reading and highly effective for struggling readers. I have worked with students in home for years - my lessons are evidence-based and always customized to fit each child’s unique strengths and learning styles.
Behavioral Experience
I spent 5 years teaching in an FCPS Enhanced Autism Classroom (EAC) and was also lead of the EAC program for the latter 3 years. During my first two years in the EAC, I received daily mentorship in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and then went on to train school staff in behavioral interventions. This hands-on experience along with continued training, helps me design data-driven behavioral (including Verbal Behavior) interventions that support meaningful student progress.
Why I do This Work
As the founder of The Connected Student, LLC, I’m passionate about helping children develop through strong, supportive connections. I believe every child deserves to be seen, understood, and supported. With deep experience in special education, I guide families through the complex process - bridging the gap between educational systems and what truly works for students in school each day.