I’m a former special education teacher and the founder of The Holland Guide Advocacy.

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Inspired by the poem Welcome to Holland, I help families navigate what it can feel like to suddenly find themselves in “Holland,” a place that looks different than expected, but is just as meaningful, beautiful, and worthy of belonging.

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My journey into advocacy began when I was 8 years old and met my best friends, Hannah and Meghan. Their friendship was my first introduction to “Holland." That early experience shaped how I see inclusion, connection, and disability rights, and it never left me.

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Growing up, I was fortunate to attend a school that prioritized inclusive education, where I saw firsthand the power of students learning together and forming meaningful, lifelong friendships. That experience is what drives my commitment to ensuring all children have access to those same opportunities for connection and belonging.

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With degrees in both general and special education, and years of experience working in schools, I’ve sat at the IEP table in multiple roles: as a teacher, case manager, parent partner, and IEP advocate. This perspective matters. It’s given me a deep understanding of how decisions are made within the system and where families often feel unheard or left trying to interpret complex information in real time.

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I believe every child deserves access to a meaningful education in the least restrictive environment, and every parent deserves to feel confident, informed, and supported throughout the IEP process.

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Through The Holland Guide Advocacy, I provide IEP advocacy and special education support to help families navigate meetings, understand their child’s IEP, and advocate for appropriate services and meaningful goals. My role is to help ensure your child’s needs remain at the center of every conversation.