IDEA Advocates

10/14/2026

😂 When fellow advocate Matt Cloven at PeaceWolf Advocacy shared this, I knew I had to share it too because… well, this might be a little too accurate.
Sometimes advocacy means asking another question. And then another. Asking for clarification. Asking to see the data. Saying, “Help me understand.” And sometimes saying, “I’m not comfortable moving forward with that yet.”

Will everyone always love that? Probably not. 😂

But advocacy isn’t about being the easiest person in the room. It’s about making sure students are heard, supported, and getting what they need.

And apparently, being quiet has never really been my superpower anyway. 🤷♀️😂

Thanks for sharing this one, Matt! I knew it needed a spot on the IDEA page.

10/14/2026

10/13/2026

This graphic aligns perfectly with the advocacy tip I shared yesterday. 💙

Using supports does not mean a student isn’t capable or successful.

Sometimes, using the support IS what success looks like.

Accommodations, assistive technology, breaks, extra time, visual supports, adult support, or a different way to show what they know are not signs that a student “can’t do it.”

They are tools that help remove barriers so students can do it.

Success doesn’t have to mean doing everything independently or doing it the same way as everyone else. It means having what you need to learn, participate, grow, and show what you know.

Different support does not mean less capable. 💙

10/13/2026

Today is the day! 💙
I’m so excited to be at PEAK Parent Center’s 2026 Conference on Inclusive Education in Grand Junction, and today I get to present!

My breakout session, “It’s More Than a Meeting: Building Trust Before, During, and After the IEP,” is about something I care deeply about: how we create IEP processes where families feel heard, educators feel supported, relationships are strengthened, and most importantly, students stay at the center.

Because at the end of the day, families may not remember every word that was said in an IEP meeting, but they will remember how they were made to feel.
And that’s why trust matters. 💙

I’m looking forward to sharing, learning, and having some great conversations today.
If you’re at PEAK, come join me for my session and please come say hi! I would love to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones too.

10/12/2026

Can we stop treating support like proof a student isn’t capable? 👏
Needing extra time, accommodations, technology, adult support, or a different way to access learning doesn’t tell us what a student is capable of.
It tells us what they need to be successful.
Instead of asking, “Can this student do it?” maybe we should be asking:
“What support does this student need to show us what they CAN do?”
Different support does not mean less potential.

10/11/2026

A big THANK YOU to NoCo Special Education PTA for inviting me to be part of another Ask the Advocate! 💙
I always love these conversations. There were so many thoughtful questions, great discussions, and opportunities to talk about ways families can feel more informed and confident as they navigate IEPs, 504 Plans, and special education.
I’m especially grateful to be part of a community that creates spaces where families can ask questions, learn from one another, and feel supported.
Thank you, NoCo SEPTA, for all you do for families in Northern Colorado; and for having me! I always enjoy being part of these conversations. 💙