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 Student Advocate in Palestine, Texas, supports families navigating the educational system to ensure children with disabilities receive appropriate services. They assist with IEPs, 504 Plans, and school meetings, advocating for tailored solutions. Special Education Advocates help ensure students’ rights are protected and provide resources 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
An IEP Parent Advocate in Palestine, Texas, supports parents through the process of securing appropriate educational services for their child with disabilities. They assist in understanding the IEP process, reviewing evaluation results, and ensuring that the child’s unique needs are addressed. The advocate helps parents collaborate with the school to create tailored goals and accommodations, ensuring the IEP aligns with the child’s strengths and challenges. They also provide guidance during ARD meetings, advocating for the child’s rights and appropriate resources. With the advocate’s support, parents are empowered to actively participate in their child’s education and ensure the best possible outcomes.
In Palestine, Texas, a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) IEP is designed to address the unique educational needs of students with learning challenges. The IEP team, including parents, teachers, and specialists, works together to identify the student’s strengths and weaknesses through evaluations and assessments. The IEP outlines specific, measurable goals targeting areas such as reading, writing, math, or processing. It also includes tailored accommodations and modifications to support the student’s learning, such as extended time, specialized instruction, or assistive technology. The team regularly monitors progress to ensure the student receives the appropriate support to thrive academically and socially.
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.
A Special Education Student Advocate in Palestine, Texas, provides vital support for families of children with disabilities. They help parents understand the special education process, including their child’s rights and the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The advocate assists in preparing for ARD meetings, reviewing evaluations, and ensuring that the child’s specific needs are met. They help secure appropriate accommodations, modifications, and services, such as speech therapy or behavioral support. Additionally, advocates mediate disputes between parents and schools, ensuring compliance with educational laws. Their goal is to empower families and ensure students receive the necessary support to succeed.
An IEP Parent Advocate is vital in Palestine to guarantee that children with special needs receive the educational support and accommodations they deserve. Many parents encounter difficulties in navigating the intricate landscape of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and advocating for their child’s rights within under-resourced or overwhelmed systems. An advocate assists parents in understanding the IEP process, facilitates communication between families and schools, and ensures that the child’s specific needs are addressed. In Palestine, where access to inclusive education may be restricted, an IEP Parent Advocate plays an essential role in fostering equity, dismantling obstacles, and empowering families to secure improved opportunities for their children.
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is a legal document that outlines the educational goals, services, accommodations, and modifications for students with disabilities, including those with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) in Palestine, Texas. It is developed by a team of educators, specialists, and parents to ensure that the student’s unique needs are addressed. The IEP is crucial because it provides a tailored plan for academic support, ensuring that students with SLD receive the necessary resources and strategies to succeed in school. It includes measurable goals, regular progress monitoring, and adjustments to the curriculum, enabling students to thrive academically and socially.
Steps to connect with Alicia
