
Michelle isn’t doing this work from the sidelines—she’s doing it because she’s lived it.
When her daughter, who happens to have Down syndrome, was going through school, Michelle experienced how terrifying it is to love your child fiercely… and still feel completely alone inside a system you don’t understand. The meetings were overwhelming.
The answers were vague. The support was minimal. And every step forward felt like it required ten more forms, ten more calls, and ten more moments of wondering: “Am I missing something? Is there more help available? Why does this feel so hard?”
She knows what it’s like to walk into a meeting with hope—and walk out with fear in your stomach.
That experience is exactly why Michelle now supports other families. She brings clarity, strategy, and calm to a process that often feels intimidating and stacked against parents—so you don’t have to fight confusion and bureaucracy by yourself.
Because your child deserves to be supported, included, and treated like a whole person.
And you deserve to feel confident walking into every conversation about their education.
She’s known for being:
She’s known for being:
Clear and direct (without being harsh)
Supportive and empowering
Focused on solutions and next steps
Fiercely committed to children being treated with dignity
Michelle has been an advocate for her daughter since the day she was born in 2008. Over the years, she has helped friends who needed advice when working with their school to get the best outcome for their student.
Michelle is currently volunteering or a member with the following organizations:
* Family Network (Center For Disability Services)
* Family Support Services Advisory Council Member
* Council of Parents, Advocates and Attorneys (COPAA) Member
Michelle has worked/volunteered with the following organizations:
* Regional Coordinator at Parent to Parent of NYS
* President, Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA)
* Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council Member
* Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center Conference Chairperson
Michelle has had the following training:
* COPAA Special Education Advocacy Training 1, 2, and 3
* Wrights Law Advocacy Training
* Parent Member Training
* Lay Advocacy Training
* Partners in Policymaking Training

Special Education Advocacy &
Self Care Services