The IE Pilot - Rachel Schmidt, SPED Advocate

02/21/2025

Happy Friday!

This is always such a hard but fulfilling post to make BUT at this current time IEPilot is not accepting new clients.

It is my sincere duty to provide all my clients the time and attention their case needs so that they and their child can be successful in the school system.

Consultations are still being scheduled. Please don’t hesitate in reaching out to get a plan going for your child. 💙💙

12/19/2024

Working with one of my favorite districts today!

I absolutely love collaborating with schools in this area. The teamwork and willingness that these educators have is top notch all around!

It’s also exciting to watch my clients take over in advocating and understanding what to ask for in meetings.

Next month when I return I promise to go visit my old stomping grounds!

12/07/2024

🎄Good to remember! 💚

From the_therapist_parent

11/19/2024

11/07/2024

Could you imagine having to be perfect 5 days a week 8 hours a day? 😳😳

🌈

From

10/23/2024

🫶🫶

Exactly! ❤️

❤️

From Roseville Early Years Consultancy

10/11/2024

Another freebie!!

I did this training last year and
Even with having “extra” degrees…. There’s still so much to learn and gain in the “Special Education World”

I highly recommend any and all who are exposed to or want to know more about students with disabilities to complete it! ❤️❤️

IEP University - Fall 2024

November 4, 2024 - November 25, 2024
Register here: bit.ly/4eNvdAl

This training will be presented virtually and will include webinars, discussion boards, resources, and supplementary materials.

The IEP process can be difficult and stressful. Everyone comes to the IEP table with thoughts of their personal responsibilities, perspectives, and individual concerns. IEP meetings can be places of high anxiety and there are occasions when conflict may erupt as a result of managing emotions while simultaneously following policy and procedures.

PEATC, in collaboration with VDOE, has developed IEP University (IEPU) to help provide families and professionals with accurate and useful information around IEP development and meetings. IEPU is a self-paced online training with easy-to-understand guidance on the special education process, the IEP document, and ways to develop collaborative relationships among schools and families. IEPU will target practical strategies aimed at helping future IEP meetings be more positive, productive, and collaborative for everyone involved.

10/11/2024

Free training! ❤️❤️

🔶 Behavioral Health Resource Information Workshop 🔶

📅 October 29th @ 10:00AM

This virtual training is free to attend, but you must register

Click below for more info 👇 👇
https://bit.ly/3zIoo4i

08/30/2024

I’ve debated about posting something like this however with what I’ve seen on social media and even some close to home conversations the last 3 weeks, I felt it was a good time to get this out as we head into a nice long weekend.

As an educational consultant/Special Education Advocate I strive to bring peace between parents and the school system. It takes a VILLAGE when kids are involved in any aspect of life. As adults we are all molding the minds of the young children we are around, no matter what our role is.

For that I have compiled a friendly list to help make this school year amazing for ALL parties ❤️❤️

Parents and Guardians:
1. Have Grace with your child’s teacher and school. They are human too.
2. Being in the school system is difficult. There are so many rules and regulations everyone must follow. Often times those teachers are just the messenger. Remember they really don’t make the big bucks and don’t get them started on those insurance premiums. They really do LOVE to teach so let them… also they did go to school for this.
3. Please understand rules are rules. They are meant to be followed to provide safety for your child. Instead of throwing it on Facebook, please ask the teacher about it. Or better yet I’ll be more than happy to explain why your child’s teacher has certain bathroom rules that you may find ridiculous. I promise you… there’s a method to their madness ❤️
4. We all have bad days. Or the don’t wants. Your child’s teacher has many of these and they often don’t miss days when they feel ill or have a sick kid because quite frankly it’s more work to take off.
5. Be patient. The first 45 days and the last 45 days of school are CRAZY. The entire month of December is Crazy. Let’s face it… everyday of the school year is crazy. 🤪
6. No matter what- if you have an issue- go to the TEACHER first. Not the principal. not the superintendent. Go up the chain first ❤️ also- reread number 1.
7. And don’t talk about issues in front of the child… this is how children can begin to disrespect their teacher and it signals to them that their teacher means nothing.

Teachers (and all school personnel):
1. Have Grace with your students and their parents. They are also human.
2. Keep homework to a minimum. Please don’t send kids home with unnecessary items unless it was learned in class and it’s to reinforce those skills. Homework should be no more than 30 minutes. Homework has not been proven to raise test scores. We don’t need Einstein but yes we do need to teach kiddos responsibility and workout those math and reading/ spelling skills daily ❤️
3. Be mindful of what children may go home to. Just because a parent drives a nice car doesn’t mean the child lives a fabulous home life.
4. Kids don’t come to school to be “bad.” The ones that are “acting out” or seem “bad” to you may be trying to communicate something to you. Get to know this child so you can understand why.
5. Build a relationship with your parents and students. TRUST ME!
6. If a child has an IEP, read it. Also ask to read their evaluation (that’s where the good stuff is).
7. Don’t judge a child by last year’s teacher/school.

Parents and Teacher/School Staff- tomorrow is always another day, another chance.

Be respectful and watch what you say around kids… they are listening.

Take a minute to pause before reacting.

And remember- everyone is STRUGGLING with something these days so pick your battles ❤️

Have a wonderful year!
Dr Schmidt

08/22/2024

If you want to have a successful year, you have to have a plan! Be ahead of the game.

These 10 steps are SUPER important!

If you haven’t subscribed to my site, DO IT! My subscribers have recently gotten a special back to school freebie to use at their child’s school 📒📒

Help! School is starting. I want to make sure I have done my homework so this year is better than last year. Parents and kids are anxious about return to school. Here are 10 Tips, from Advocate Pat Howey, to help you get off to a good start at the beginning of the new school

08/21/2024

Attended my first meeting for the 2024-2025 school year this week! 🗂️

This particular family and quite frankly myself too went through the trenches with their previous school. And I should note… it was nothing with the teachers.. they were fabulous. 💁‍♀️

So notice I said previous school. We are at a new school this year and YALL—— can we say LIFE CHANGING?!

Mom began by giving the “new” school a brief overview of last school year. As she told the story, which she did remarkably well, I teared up instantly. It was such a difficult journey for this family and the issues were becoming so big that it was impacting their entire family. Heck it impacted me!

After mom’s intro the SBLC team then asked a few more questions and then proceeding to make a plan. It was by far one of the easiest meetings I’ve attended. But that’s not to say the work isn’t done.

But a plan was made and this team was listening. Also to add, the child is responding SO well with the new school, new teachers, and mom shares that homework time isn’t anywhere near the headache it was as last year.

At the end of the meeting, mom had tears of happiness. I then leaned in towards her and said “this is what it’s suppose to be like when you meet with your child’s school.”❤️❤️

So thank you to this particular school in the Acadiana area for not only welcoming this kiddo but really taking the time to understand him as a person.