Leveraging Relationships and Expertise for Student Success

Shari’s reputation and connections in the DMV area are a significant part of what makes her a successful advocate for students and families.  Her strong relationships in local educational agencies make Shari’s presence as an advocate a soothing and welcomed addition to any high stakes meeting/situation involving the appeal, discipline, Change of School Assignment, Complaint From the Public, 504 Plan and IEP process.  As a key educational connector, Shari is trusted to break through red tape and “stuck” situations changing dynamics and unclogging bottlenecks that can quickly resolve long festering problems. Simply put, Shari knows the players, the processes and the way to get to “yes”.

Shari has vast experience in both comprehensive and alternative school settings, supporting students with specific learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, autism, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and those identified as twice exceptional. In her role as resource teacher for a large-scale, middle school special education program, Shari coordinated and chaired school-based IEP meetings, collaborating with school and community-based stakeholders to assure that all students received their entitled services. In her leadership role as a designee for the Chief of District Operations in Montgomery County Public Schools, Shari coordinated and conducted expulsion hearings, consulted with school and central-based administrators regarding student discipline, investigated and made recommendations related to appeals dealing with student discipline, Change of School Assignments, Complaints From the Public, and other superintendent level appeals. She consulted with central office staff and the Board of Education, served multiple times as an expert witness in Board level due process hearings, and co-wrote/presented Beyond the Discipline training both nationally and to Montgomery County Public Schools’ staff.

As a lifelong special educator, Shari has dedicated herself to advocating for students and their families. Shari uses her more than 30 years experience as a special educator, central office administrator and educational advocate to help families navigate complicated school systems and collaboratively develop customized, structured plans of support. Shari acts as a conduit for families and strives to meet their children’s evolving academic and social-emotional needs.