Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Kirschner
Hi Jamie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into advocacy began with my own experiences as a mother and educator. I’ve always been deeply committed to helping students with special needs thrive, and that commitment led me to pursue a career in special education. I started as a teacher, working with students with diverse needs in both the U.S. and Europe. Over time, I took on more leadership roles, eventually becoming a principal, where I focused on fostering inclusivity and community growth.
I hold a B.A. in Specific Learning Disabilities and Emotional Mental Handicaps from the University of Florida and went on to earn a Master’s in Education. I’m also certified in Autism, Dyslexia, and Orton-Gillingham, which has been invaluable in my work with students and fellow educators. In 2021, I became a National Board-Certified Special Education Advocate (BCASE), which helped solidify my role in advocating for families across the country.
Through my career, I’ve had the privilege of attending over 5,000 IEP meetings and supporting more than 200 Due Process Complaints. I began to notice a real gap in services for families and individuals who needed advocacy support and guidance on inclusive practices. That realization led me to make a bold decision: I stepped down from my role as an administrator and founded my own advocacy agency in Southwest Florida.
Starting this agency was a leap of faith, but it quickly grew. I saw the immense need for advocacy support, not just locally but nationally, and expanded our services across the United States. Today, our agency operates in 42 states, with a team of dedicated consultants and advocates who are committed to helping families and businesses create supportive, inclusive environments.
In addition to advocacy, I’m passionate about community development. I serve as a Board Member of *The Sensory Safe Solution*, which I helped launch to train industry professionals on supporting individuals with sensory sensitivities. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see this initiative expand, creating safe spaces nationwide.
Reflecting on where I started and where we are today, it’s been a journey fueled by a desire to make a real difference. I’m proud of the work my team and I do, and I’m excited about the future as we continue to grow and help even more families, schools, and businesses build inclusive, supportive communities.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting my own business, especially one focused on advocacy—a service that many people don’t even realize exists—has definitely had its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles has been raising awareness. Most families simply don’t know that they have rights, or that there are people like me who can help them navigate the educational system and ensure their children receive the support they need. It’s been a struggle to break through that barrier and educate families about the resources available to them.
Beyond that, building a business with a mission like mine can be emotionally taxing. Advocacy work often means stepping into tough situations and fighting hard, sometimes against resistant school systems or bureaucratic policies. But each challenge is also a reminder of why I do what I do—because no family should feel lost or alone in this process.
There have also been logistical challenges. Expanding our services from a local level to operating in 42 states required figuring out everything from scaling our operations to creating consistent, high-quality support for families across the country. Building a reliable team who shared my passion was essential, and thankfully, I now have a team that is just as committed as I am.
Despite these struggles, I truly believe that working toward something you’re passionate about makes even the hardest days feel worthwhile. Seeing the impact we make, hearing from families who finally feel heard, and knowing that we’re helping children reach their full potential keeps me going. It’s been a tough road, but one that I wouldn’t change for anything.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the CEO and Founder of Education Advocates of America, where I specialize in special education advocacy and inclusive practices. My team and I work with families across 42 states to help them navigate the complexities of the educational system. We provide guidance on everything from Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to ensuring schools provide the right accommodations and support for children with disabilities. I’m also deeply committed to community development and serve on the board of *The Sensory Safe Solution*, an initiative that trains industry professionals on supporting individuals with sensory sensitivities.
What sets me apart is that I’ve been on both sides of the table—as a teacher and administrator, and now as an advocate for families. This unique perspective gives me a deep understanding of the systems we’re working within, as well as empathy for the struggles families face. I know firsthand the impact of inclusive, quality education, and I bring that experience into every case we take on.
What I’m most proud of is the real change we’ve helped create. Every success story feels like a win not just for us but for every family who needs an advocate. Our agency has grown from a local business in Southwest Florida to one that serves families nationwide, which to me is a testament to how critical and impactful this work is.
At the end of the day, our mission is what sets us apart. We’re not just a service; we’re a lifeline for families who want to ensure their children receive the education they deserve. I’m incredibly proud of the work we do and the difference we make, and I look forward to continuing to help families and businesses create inclusive, supportive communities.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Absolutely. One of the most important lessons I learned during the Covid-19 crisis is how vulnerable children with special needs are in times of disruption—and just how unprepared our education system was to meet their unique needs in a virtual setting. During the pandemic, I witnessed firsthand how many students with disabilities were left without essential services. Their support systems were often unavailable or under-resourced, and this lack of access led to significant setbacks in their learning and development.
This experience underscored for me the importance of adaptability in education, especially in providing consistent, flexible support for our most vulnerable students. It also highlighted a need for better training and resources for educators to work effectively with students with special needs in both in-person and virtual environments. I’ve since been advocating for policies and practices that ensure continuity of services, regardless of circumstances, because every child deserves to receive the support they need, even during a crisis.
The pandemic was a wake-up call, showing us where the gaps were and giving us an opportunity to address them. It’s reinforced my commitment to advocating for more resilient, inclusive educational systems that prioritize the needs of all students, especially those with disabilities. I believe these lessons have the power to create lasting change if we continue to push for better systems and support.
Pricing:
- Link for consultation: Pricing is dependent on the action I need to take for each family.
- https://calendly.com/eseadvocate/consultation-call-with-certified-educational-advocate
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eduamerica.org
- Instagram: @edu.advocates
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educationadvocatesofamerica
