My earliest and most enduring model for what an educator should be was my mother, who spent more than 50 years serving children in underserved communities and tirelessly advocating for their educational rights. Inspired by her example, I built a 36-year career spanning general education and special education. I have developed a deep expertise in the legal and policy frameworks governing IEPs and special education services and worked to ensure that students and families were supported with clarity, fairness, and integrity. Ultimately, what gives my work—and my life—meaning is empowering parents, fostering collaboration, and creating meaningful change, one student at a time.