Meet The Advocate Team
Our advocates come from classrooms, school leadership, and special education advocacy backgrounds. We share a common goal: to stand beside families and keep students at the center of every decision.

Sid Wesseldine
Founder & Lead Advocate
- Decades of experience in education and special education
- Deep knowledge of IDEA, 504, and Virginia regulations
- Known for calm, methodical advocacy in complex cases

Courtney Arena
Special Education Advocate
- Background in teaching students with learning and attention needs
- Skilled at translating evaluation data into clear goals
- Supports families through eligibility and annual review meetings

Susan Burke
Behavior & Discipline Advocate
- Experience with behavior intervention plans and FBAs
- Helps families understand discipline data and patterns
- Guides parents through manifestation determination meetings
How we work with families
- We listen first, then help you prioritize your biggest concerns.
- We explain options and likely outcomes so you can make informed decisions.
- We respect your family's values and your child's individuality.
You'll be paired with the advocate—or team of advocates—whose background best matches your child's needs and your current situation.
Be sure to visit our
FAQS page for answers to some of the most common questions.

