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EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS FELLOW, CLASS OF 2009
Name of Host Organization: Advocacy, Inc.
City, State: Houston, Texas
Issue area: Education/Special Education, Disability Rights,Children/Youth
Sponsor: Texas Access to Justice Foundation
THE INSPIRATION
When I first began my career as a social worker in Houston, I was apprehensive about working with children with disabilities because I had no prior experience with this population. Soon, however, I found myself spending more and more time at their schools advocating for them to receive the special education services to which they were entitled. I decided to attend law school so that I could enhance my advocacy skills and become more familiar with the law in an effort to continue to fight for the rights of children with disabilities in schools.
THE PROJECT
I am creating a Special Education Clinic composed of private attorneys who will will meet regularly with parents of children in need of special education services to educate them about substantive topics within special education law, practical advocacy tips, and methods of resolving disputes under IDEA. The result will be a sustainable pool of pro bono attorneys offering legal advice and services to parents of children with disabilities. I will also be providing direct representation and performing community outreach.
BIOGRAPHY
Hometown: | Jupiter, Florida |
Law school: | |
Making the connection: | For me, the connection between a legal education and social justice was made prior to entering law school. As a social worker, I knew that I wanted to be the best possible advocate for my clients whether that meant ensuring they received the best services or simply that they felt heard and had someone on their side. After realizing that being the best advocate meant calling a lawyer every time I needed to move the process along, particularly for my clients with disabilities, I knew it was time to go to law school. |
Surviving law school: | In law school, I became the co-chair of a student-run nonprofit organization that raises money throughout the year to provide stipends to law students working in unpaid government and public interest internships during the summer. Exposing students to the world of public interest law and ensuring that others have the opportunity to continue in that field was an extremely rewarding experience and kept me centered on my ultimate goal of working in public service after graduation. |
Recommended books: | Confederacy of Dunces - Having gone to undergraduate and social work school in New Orleans, I was told over and over again that I had to read this book. It was hilarious and I had a lot of trouble putting it down once I started. Also, anything by Nelson Demille, particularly his books that include the character John Corey. Little Women - I think I enjoyed it as a little girl because I felt empowered by Jo's refusal to conform. I also identified with her clumsiness. |
Favorite website(s): | I have to admit that I don't spend much time on the internet other than to check my email. The only website that I've been spending a lot of time on lately is Wrightslaw.com, which is a website designed for parents, advocates and attorneys interested in special education law and advocacy. I recently took a class with the Wrights and have found their website to be the most thorough source of information about special education issues. |
Music I love: | I LOVE John Legend! Also, my fiancee is a musician so I love pretty much anything he writes/sings/plays. I also love A capella music because I used to be in an A capella group in college. And I love any music that makes me want to dance. |
Words to live by: | I particularly love this quote by Anne Frank: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” To go through the kind of adversity she faced and still be that optimistic about the world never ceases to amaze me. I try to live by it everyday and do the best I can to help and support those around me. |