Hi, I’m Maria! I am a former Special Education Resource Teacher with over three decades inside Ontario’s public schools, now working as an Educational Advocacy Consultant to support parents navigating the school system. I bring an insider’s understanding of how decisions are made using a parent-centred approach that ensures children’s strengths, needs, and rights are clearly and accurately represented.

As an Educational Advocacy Consultant, I will support parents by helping them understand their rights, clarify and advocate for their child’s needs, and participate confidently in school-based decision-making. My role is to ensure that parents are informed, prepared, and supported at every step.

I will work alongside parents to:

• Advocate effectively for their child within the school system, ensuring their voice is heard and respected

• Prepare for and navigate IPRC meetings, with clear explanations of the process, options, and implications

• Review and clarify school-identified strengths and needs, ensuring they accurately reflect the child and are clearly communicated to families

• Attend school meetings (including care conferences and IPRCs) to provide guidance, support, and continuity

• Review Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and offer practical, strengths-based recommendations

• Support parents in understanding how to advocate going forward, so they feel confident beyond individual meetings

• Provide informed recommendations and referrals, including guidance around specialized equipment, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, psychological services, placement options, and programming supports such as visual schedules and work systems

I hold Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from York University. I also hold Special Education Specialist additional qualifications from the University of Toronto. I started my teaching career with the Toronto District School Board, mostly teaching Grade 1. Teaching children to read and write and seeing the growth they reached was incredible and a highlight of my career. After having my two children, I transferred to the Durham District School Board to be closer to home. A new, amazing opportunity emerged, as there, I began and maintained my role as a Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) for 23 years. I gained valuable insights and experience working with children with diverse needs and supported them, their teachers and families over the years, many of whom I still keep in contact with. I performed academic assessments, assisted teachers with programming, supported in IEP development, completed referrals to appropriate services, worked closely with support staff and assisted parents. I’m passionate about helping support children and giving them the tools they need to bring out the best in them.

I retired from teaching full-time in 2025 and am excited for this next chapter in working with Dr. Merry Lin and Associates and using my knowledge to now support parents as an Educational Advocacy Consultant.

Outside of my professional life, I have been married to my wonderful husband for over 31 years and have two amazing grown children. I love spending time with all of them and my children’s significant others. In my spare time, I like to read, play board & card games, watch movies, bake and grow my own vegetables.

I’m looking forward to working with you.