About Me

I am an educational professional with more than 29 years of experience in special education, student services, and educational compliance. I work with families of students with disabilities who are navigating special education systems and need experienced, strategic support. Many families come to me when their child is not receiving appropriate services, when an IEP is not being followed, or when disputes arise with a school district.

I work exclusively on behalf of students and families, providing strategic consulting and expert analysis in special education and related student rights matters, and collaborating with plaintiff-side attorneys when legal action or expert testimony is needed.

My work is grounded in a deep understanding of how school systems operate—from IEP development and implementation to assessments, discipline, and dispute resolution—and how those systems affect students with disabilities and their families. I bring a practical, systems-level perspective shaped by decades of experience working inside public school systems and applying that knowledge on behalf of students and families.

Professional Experience & Credentials

Over the course of my career, I have served in a range of leadership and instructional roles within K–12 education, including:

Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
Special Education Director and SELPA Program Administrator
Special Education Coordinator and Program Specialist
Special Education Teacher

In these roles, I was responsible for district-wide IDEA compliance, special education programming, student services, and the resolution of complex disputes involving eligibility, placement, assessments, discipline, manifestation determinations, and implementation failures.

I hold a Master of Science in Special Education and maintain a Clear Education Specialist Credential and a Clear Administrative Services Credential in California. My professional training and experience include extensive work in IDEA compliance, IEP development and implementation, special education assessments, student discipline and manifestation determinations, Section 504 access, Title IX considerations, and disability-based discrimination.

This educational and professional background allows me to evaluate cases with both instructional and systems-level rigor, grounded in a deep understanding of how educational and compliance decisions are made within school districts to determine the best plan of action for students.

My Current Work

Through Laura Collins-Williams | Student Rights Practice, I now apply this experience exclusively on behalf of students and families.

I work with parents and plaintiff-side attorneys to provide:

Strategic consultation in special education disputes
Review and analysis of IEPs, assessments, and educational records
Case consultation and issue spotting for litigation and administrative proceedings
Expert witness services, including written opinions and testimony

In addition to core special education matters, I also provide consultation and expert services in related student rights issues that frequently arise from special education cases, including:

Discipline and manifestation determinations
Disability-based bullying and harassment
Section 504 access and compliance concerns
Title IX issues as they intersect with disability, access, or retaliation

These issues often overlap with IDEA claims and can significantly affect case strategy, student outcomes, and resolution options. I help families and attorneys understand how these issues connect and how they may impact a student’s educational access and legal posture.

My role is consultative and expert in nature. I do not provide legal representation and work collaboratively with licensed attorneys when legal action is pursued.

Approach

I take a thoughtful, strategic approach to my work. My goal is to help families understand their options, assess those options realistically, and make informed decisions that protect their child’s educational access and long-term outcomes.

I am known for bringing clarity to complex situations, maintaining professionalism in high-conflict matters, and keeping the focus on what will most effectively support the student—both educationally and procedurally.

Who I Work With

I work with:

Families of students with disabilities seeking experienced guidance
Plaintiff-side attorneys representing students in special education and related student rights matters

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