Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlotte Dudley.
Charlotte, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 1992, I graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I knew I would be going back to school for further education, but I wasn’t sure which direction to go, so I started working with special needs adults. This confirmed my love of persons with special needs and so I pursued a Master’s Degree in Special Education specializing in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. I have taught in Georgia, Mississippi and Texas and have been working with adults and students with special needs since 1992.
As a special education teacher, I have had the opportunity during my career to work with a variety of special education eligibilities across the continuum of special education settings including inclusion, resource and self-contained classrooms. My experience extends beyond the classroom as a parent of a child who received special education supports. Our daughter was served as a student with learning disabilities and we have advocated for her within the school district for 13 years. You could say I have a unique perspective as an advocate of sitting on BOTH sides of the table!
Advocating for our daughter has shown me how difficult it can be to navigate the special education system – and I knew it very well! I had always wanted to professionally help other parents with the process, so when an opportunity was presented to work with a special education lawyer as an advocate, I jumped at the chance. Gaining the experience within a law firm led to the confidence I needed to launch my own business.
I am excited to be working with parents to empower them to become the advocates their child needs in the coming years. Together, we are working towards the success of their children!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t know that I would say it was a smooth road, but definitely a path I’d wanted to follow for some time. As a special education teacher, political navigations could be tricky. You were an employee of the school and therefore had to choose your words and actions very carefully. It can be rough! As a parent of a child with special education services, it can become very emotional and overwhelming. I made a lot of mistakes on that side of the table, and many times wished I could have a do-over.
I am excited to have embarked on this adventure. I have the knowledge I did as a teacher and can more effectively use that knowledge to assist parents. I want parent experiences to be collaborative and productive with their child’s school. I am thrilled to assist parents in gaining the knowledge and skills to advocate for their children.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Dudley Advocacy and Consulting specializes in helping the parent of children with special needs navigate the special education process through:
PARENT EDUCATION AND CONSULTATION
Education is key, and when you begin the journey through the special education process, we can help! Whether it is understanding the acronyms, knowing the legalities behind decisions, or understanding what options are available, we will walk you through it. We want to provide the education and explanations parents need to navigate the system to become the advocate their child needs.
REVIEW DOCUMENTATION
We are available to review your child’s 504, IEP, FIE, IEE, and educational supplement information. Following a thorough review, we will meet with you to discuss concerns, recommendations, and possible revisions.
ATTEND SPECIAL EDUCATION MEETINGS
Attending ARD meetings for your child can be an emotional and intimidating experience. Parents are crucial members of the ARD Committee, but often the least prepared. We can accompany parents to IEP, 504, and other Special Education meetings.
We have the experience needed to navigate the process while providing an emotional buffer during the discussion. We want to preserve the relationship with the school as we collaborate in creating the best plan for the student.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have definitely been blessed within both my life and my business. I have had amazing opportunities to work in some great school districts. Within each district and school, there were premier examples of what should be done and the occasional learning experience of what should NOT. Not only were there daily examples, but the people I met along the journey, across all areas of service, have provided opportunities to continuously learn, enquire and connect.
Leaving the school districts I was then blessed to work with and learn from some amazing special education lawyers who broadened my education to encompass so much more than that of a school teacher and parent alone.
Personally, I have had the great luck and blessing to have an amazing and supportive husband and two wonderful children. They have each encouraged me in pursuing this dream and that encouragement and support have enabled me to jump in with both feet!
Contact Info:
- Address: 3000 Custer Rd. Ste 270 # 475
Plano, Texas 75075 - Website: WWW.DudleyAdvocacyandConsulting.com
- Phone: 972.752.0229
- Email: Charlotte@DudleyAdvocacyandConsulting.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/tx_specialedadvocate/?hl=en
- Facebook: facebook.com/DudleyAdvocacyandConsulting/
- Twitter: twitter.com/CharlotteDudley @TX_SpedAdvocate
- Yelp: yelp.com/biz/dudley-advocacy-and-consulting-plano
- Other: linkedin.com/in/charlotte-dudley-94bb3688/
Image Credit:
Janet Wisner
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