Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Pokladnik.
Hi Robin, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I always knew that I wanted to work with people who had conditions or disabilities that gave them challenges at school or work. I started as a special education teacher in the district here in North Texas where I had attended school as a child. Giving back to the community that raised me just felt right.
I decided to become an educational diagnostician a few years into my career in education. I had a special interest in exploring the underlying cognitive and psychological processes that led to an individual’s challenges at school.
I spent several years working as a diagnostician in a local public school district. I gained a tremendous amount of experience evaluating students and participating on committees (called ARDs here in Texas) to develop students’ Individual Education Plans or IEPs.
My career path led me to take on other positions such as Director of Special Education in a small, rural school district in Texas. I also spent some years leading a local urban special education evaluation department as well.
Finally, I spent some time at the Region 10 Education Service Center as the Child Find Consultant. That position allowed me to train diagnosticians all over the state and participate in state-wide initiatives to improve Child Find activities and evaluation in Texas.
Opening my own business dedicated to providing quality evaluation to families was just the obvious next step.
Sometimes when I am working with a child, I feel like a detective hunting for clues. But often, my job feels like a puzzle and I need to make all the pieces work together to reveal a story about the child. Every person that I have the honor to evaluate is unique. The job never gets old.
SpEC also supports other evaluation professionals through training and mentoring. It is very fulfilling to grow and enrich a profession that plays a role in the lives of so many children. All of the best educational plans for a child begin with a thorough and thoughtful evaluation.
For me, the best part of SpEC is serving the community where I live and work. I am a 3rd generation Dallasite. I love the people. I love the families. SpEC is my way of utilizing my expertise to be a resource to my neighbors. SpEC is here primarily to be a support to families when their child has challenges at school. SpEC is here to help them get questions answered through evaluation.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The role of an educational diagnostician is demanding. There has been more than one time that my caseload was higher than it should have been. Sometimes situations for certain students can be heartbreaking. Like others in a field that works with children facing challenges, it can be overwhelming. Sometimes you wonder if what you do has an impact.
Working in education has many challenges.
Like anyone, I have had days where I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing.
But this is what I am meant to do. It brings me a tremendous amount of satisfaction and joy. It is my life’s work.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
SpEC of Texas offers full individual educational evaluations (FIE) for children and young adults. We evaluate and identify conditions and make recommendations for supports and accommodations to make progress and have success at school. We identify conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, specific learning disabilities, autism, speech and language difficulties, and intellectual disabilities.
What sets SpEC apart is our practitioners. They are the most knowledgeable and experienced in their field. Our standards meet and exceed requirements for public and private schools. We are dedicated to ongoing professional growth and being up to the minute with Federal, state, and local policies. And, we pride ourselves on being efficient as well as thorough. We never forget that a child is waiting for our reports to be complete and recommendations to be implemented.
SpEC also offers services directly to schools. We provide assistance with evaluations, consulting, and professional development, and mentorship.
We are most happy to consult with parents. Sometimes, you just need to ask a question. Not every child needs an evaluation. SpEC is here as resource. We are happy to discuss your child’s progress at school and any concerns you have.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am a first-generation college graduate. My parents did not go to college. However, my parents did instill the importance of education. They taught me throughout their lives that education (of all kinds) provides opportunities. My parents also taught me that education is for everyone.
Contact Info:
- Email: robin@specoftexas.net
- Website: specoftexas.net
- Instagram: specoftx
- Facebook: Special Evaluations & Consulting of Texas
- Twitter: @rpokladnik
