11
Aug
Mrs. Tucker has worked in the public school system for 28 years, working primarily with students with special needs. She has served as Special Education Team Leader and as Special Education Department Chairperson.
A special education advocate in Webster assists families of children with disabilities by navigating the complexities of special education services. They provide guidance on IEP development, educate families about their rights, and foster collaboration between parents and schools to ensure students receive necessary accommodations and support for academic success.
Services
Autism, a neurological condition, is characterized by differences in social communication and interaction, alongside restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.
Intellectual disability is a condition characterized by limitations in cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviors, impacting an individual's everyday life and learning abilities.
Emotional disturbance refers to a condition in which an individual exhibits inappropriate behaviors, emotions, or both, leading to difficulties in social interactions and academic performance.
Children with ODD often exhibit stubbornness, argumentativeness, and a tendency to deliberately provoke others, leading to significant impairment in social, academic, and familial functioning.
Advocates emphasize the importance of understanding ADHD as a unique neurological variation rather than a flaw, promoting acceptance, support, and accommodations for individuals with ADHD to thrive.
OHI is an engaging platform offering insightful content tailored to advocate interests, fostering community and empowerment through knowledge sharing.
A specific learning disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting the brain's ability to receive, process, analyze, or store information. It can manifest in difficulties with reading, writing, math, or other cognitive processes despite average or above-average intelligence
A speech impairment refers to any condition that affects a person's ability to produce sounds correctly or fluently, or to use their vocal cords, tongue, lips, or other speech-related structures effectively.
A few topics Alicia can present include: “How to help de-escalate a child with intense behaviors”, “How to utilize a Safe Place within the classroom”, “Using visuals effectively”, “Documentation and collecting data on IEP goals and behaviors” and “Building rapport with sensitive and students with challenging behaviors”. She can also tailor presentations to address specific needs of the staff
A special needs advocate in Webster plays a critical role in supporting families with children who have disabilities. They help navigate the often complex educational system, ensuring that students receive appropriate assessments, services, and accommodations tailored to their unique needs. Advocates educate families about their rights under special education laws, empowering them to effectively advocate for their children. By fostering collaboration between parents, educators, and service providers, they promote inclusive practices that enhance learning experiences. Additionally, special needs advocates may organize workshops and provide resources to help families develop strategies for overcoming challenges, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of education and life for individuals with special needs.
In Webster, Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals are tailored to meet the unique needs of each student with disabilities, focusing on academic, social, and behavioral objectives. These goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Examples include improving reading fluency by a certain number of words per minute, enhancing social skills through structured interactions, or increasing math problem-solving abilities to a specific level. Collaboration between educators, parents, and specialists is essential in developing these goals to ensure they align with the student’s strengths and needs. Regular progress monitoring and adjustments to the (Individualized Education Program) IEP are crucial for achieving meaningful outcomes and fostering overall student success.
Testimonials
Ninfa Segundo2025-10-06This is the one you want in your corner and advocating for your child or loved one . We will continue to use her for now on when it comes to our little one ❤️
Scarlett Coston2025-10-06Very communicative and supportive. And create a collaborative team that’s main goal is to support your student.
Laura Pauley Rich2025-10-01We are beyond grateful for Gina’s support as our special education advocate. She not only orchestrated our son's enrollment plan with the school but also came up with the idea of a graduated return-to-school schedule that truly meets his needs. Gina carried the mental and emotional load of navigating the district on our behalf, which allowed us to focus on being parents instead of constantly battling red tape. Her expertise, compassion, and persistence have made all the difference for our family—we couldn’t have done this without her.
Billy Rawls2025-10-01She was so professional and knowledgeable of every topic that was discussed in the ARD. She showed a caring and strong side when it came down to my child rights. Mrs. Tucker is absolutely the best!!
Renee Verhagen2025-09-28Sunnye is amazing. She is wonderful to work with, extremely knowledgeable, kind and professional. She helped us get the services we desperately needed for our daughter. I highly recommend Sunnye.
Ashlee2025-09-25Alicia and her team are amazing I was having a lot of issues with my daughters school not following her iep and I was lost and overwhelmed Alicia has helped so much the school is def on there toes now and I think with Alicia and her teams continued help we will get to a place where I can rest and not be so stressed trying to research the laws and go back and forth with the school me and my daughter are so glad we found Alicia!
M H2025-09-23I cannot begin to state how impressed I am with our advocate, Sunnye Garza! She was phenomenal from start to finish, taking time to understand our child, their needs, and the opportunities for the services they needed to be successful at school. Sunnye really focused on our child's struggles, and showed genuine empathy. You can really tell that Sunnye is passionate about advocating, and it shows through her work! Overall, you absolutely cannot go wrong asking for Sunnye - she will take the time to understand the situation, assist you with navigating the schools, the IEP process, and ensure that your child is receiving the services he or she needs! She is our go-to lady for all of our child's needs; I only wish I'd found her sooner! I Highly Recommend Sunnye, and THANKS A MILLION!!!
Brandy Ringo2025-08-12If I could give Sunnye more than 5 stars, I would a thousand times over. From the moment we connected she was a steady source of support, guidance, and strength for me during one of the most challenging fights of my life, securing specific accommodations, including but not limited to a one-on-one para my 5-year-old son, who has level three autism, desperately needed but our school district kept pushing against. Sunny was not just knowledgeable and skilled, she was patient with my emotions, my tears, and my fears. She listened without judgment, encouraged me when I felt defeated, and fought alongside me every step of the way. She understood not just the legal side but also the emotional weight a parent carries when advocating for their child. Because of her dedication and expertise, my son is now getting the support he needs to be safe, successful, and truly seen at school. There are not enough stars, words, or thank-yous to express the gratitude I feel. Sunny is not just an advocate, she is a blessing, and I will forever be thankful for the light she brought into this battle.
Amanda beshears2025-05-24Sunnye is extremely knowledgeable and was very willing to listen and help work through all the details of my child’s case. She was very helpful in the ARD when the school was not cooperative.
If you have concerns about your child’s special education services in Webster, there are several steps you can take to seek assistance. First, begin by communicating directly with your child’s teacher or special education case manager to discuss your concerns and gather insights into your child’s progress and the services being provided. If you feel that further action is needed, consider requesting a meeting to review your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or evaluation results. Additionally, you can hire a special needs advocate that offers guidance on navigating the process. Engaging with parent support groups can also provide you with valuable perspectives and shared experiences. If necessary, you may involve the school district’s special education director to address more serious concerns or disputes. Documenting your communications and the specific issues you observe can help ensure that your concerns are taken seriously and addressed effectively.
In Webster, a variety of special education services are available to support students with disabilities, ensuring they receive a tailored educational experience. These services include individualized education programs (IEPs), which outline specific goals and accommodations based on each student’s unique needs. Schools offer specialized instruction in resource rooms, where students can receive focused support in core academic subjects. Additionally, related services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral support may be provided to address specific challenges. Inclusion programs allow students with disabilities to learn alongside their peers in general education classrooms with appropriate accommodations. Furthermore, schools may provide access to assistive technology and personalized learning plans to help students thrive. To help get these services, a special education advocate in Webster would be beneficial.
To determine if your child qualifies for special education services in Webster, you can start by observing any academic or behavioral concerns that may indicate a learning disability or developmental delay. The first step is to communicate with your child’s teacher or school staff, who can provide insights and initiate the referral process for evaluation. You have the right to request a formal evaluation to assess your child’s needs, which will involve various assessments and observations by qualified professionals. The evaluation will consider factors such as cognitive abilities, academic performance, and social-emotional development. After the evaluation is completed, a meeting with a multidisciplinary team—including educators, psychologists, and special education professionals—will help determine whether your child meets the criteria for eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If your child is found eligible, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be created to provide the necessary supports and services. Hiring a special needs advocate is always the best way to ensure your child receives the services they need.
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