Helping Families Navigate Special Education

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Heather Wright, M.Ed., a Special Education Consultant, Certified Special Education Teacher, and Master IEP Coach®️, based in Cumming, GA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am Heather Wright, M.Ed., a special education consultant who helps families navigate special education in the public school setting (K-12). I work with families of children with learning disabilities, autism, developmental delays, behavior disorders, and other health impairments to get support and services through collaboration.

I provide a range of services to meet the unique needs of a family. Each prospective client receives a free 30-minute phone consultation, allowing me to learn more about their family and how I can best support them. From there, I offer IEP/504 Plan reviews, Advocacy and Consultation, and Meeting Attendance, and I can be booked for Speaking Engagements and Training.

Tell us about yourself

As a 9-year-old little girl, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher and was determined to be an elementary school teacher. Fast forward to getting into college. I remember sitting with the college admissions counselor and him convincing me to get a dual degree in special education and elementary education. I reluctantly agreed when he told me it was only 20 more credits. While I didn’t plan to teach special education, I believed the courses would help me be a better teacher.

As I walked into my first special education course, Psychology of Special Education, I was nervous and honestly wasn’t sure I wanted to be there. The professor walked in and began teaching; by the end of that class, I knew I was going to teach special education, not elementary education. I fell in love!! Special education chose me.

As part of my coursework, I also took a class on teaching math. That was another class that changed my life. As a student, I remember not understanding math. I didn’t get it, and I didn’t want to get it. Teachers would “teach” the math, but it made me feel dumb for not understanding. That made me not participate or ask for help. I struggled! I was intimidated! I felt defeated! However, that one college math course helped me to finally understand it and how it can be different. I decided then that I wanted to teach special education and math!

I graduated college, moved to Georgia, and got a teaching position at a middle school, a far stretch from the elementary teacher I thought I wanted to be. I was hired to teach different subjects as a 6th-grade special education teacher. I was a new teacher with little to no experience, but I was determined to make a difference and be the math teacher that I didn’t have.

I wanted my students to feel safe enough to make mistakes and learn from them. I hoped they would feel empowered to ask questions and get answers without feeling embarrassed. They needed to know that I would build them up and not tear them down. I built relationships with my students, shared my struggles with math, and found ways to improve their understanding.

In the same way that I built relationships with kids, I did this with parents. I never wanted parents to be blindsided. I communicated that I would always do what was best for their children. Throughout my 16+ years in the classroom and sitting at IEP meetings, there were many times I felt like I couldn’t speak up without getting “my hand slapped.” I got tired of feeling like this, and I wanted to make a change. I didn’t want to sit back anymore. At that point, I made the decision to leave teaching and build my business of being a special education consultant.

Finishing the chapter on teaching in a classroom was extremely difficult. Starting the next chapter of being a small business owner was exciting, but it also brought feelings of anxiety. While I was nervous, I knew this is what I needed to do. I needed to help parents understand the special education process. I needed to empower parents to be their own best advocates. I needed to make a difference with parents so that they could help their children.

As a special education consultant, my goal is to think outside the box and move a child’s education forward. I work collaboratively with parents and districts to do what’s in the student's best interest. My classroom experience gives me insight into what can be done and how strategies can be implemented to help the student succeed.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment to date was finishing the Master IEP Coach® mentorship and having the confidence to start my own business.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner in the service industry is marketing and getting your name out in the community.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Give yourself grace. You are going to make mistakes; the key is to learn from them.
Make a plan for 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days, and set goals within those plans.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Lean on your community!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.heatherwrightconsultant.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherwrightconsultant/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherwrightconsultant/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-wright-m-ed-8729bb136/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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