Shannon Wilke, Owner & Education Advocate

Shannon grew a passion for special education advocacy during her years in management at a large University.  For over a decade, her days were spent advocating for students by training her team & the administration to ensure disability rights compliance.

When her own son needed specialized education years ago, she discovered that there was a gap in the system. Parents should be an equal part of the team but were not being made aware of the complex process, so Shine Advocacy Group was created.

Shannon resides in the Phoenix area with her husband, son, and fearless pup. You will find her hiking & exploring national parks, reading in a hammock, or helping others reach their goals-regardless of obstacles.

Education

• Masters of Management, University of Phoenix
• Bachelors of Arts in English, Arizona State University

Need help with Special Education Advocacy or Training?

Contact Shannon

• Special Education Laws & Compliance
• Navigating the Special Education System & Meeting Support
• Parent & Education Community Training

Carrie Gibbons, Education Advocate

Carrie has been in the education field since 1998, carrying out her belief that education should be multifaceted. As a teacher, she built a partnership with parents to ensure her students unique needs were met.  In her classroom fair did not mean everyone got the same thing, fair meant everyone got what they needed to be successful.

She has a drive to advocate for students, parents, and teachers in the special education world. Her desire is to help implement meaningful strategies that can be put into place in the classroom that will benefit all students, including those who have unique learning styles.

Carrie is an Arizona native that loves her hardworking husband, exceptional son, two vocal pups, photography, crafts, mountain bike riding & working out at the gym.

Education

• Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, Arizona State University
• Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education, Ottawa University

Need help with Special Education Advocacy?

Contact Carrie

• Navigating the Special Education System & Meeting Support
• Accommodation, Service & Goal Advisement
• Parent & Education Community Training

Kate Lyons, Education Advocate

Kate has been an educator in Arizona since 2008, advocating for equity & inclusion for students with disabilities. She has taught both special education & general education in the Kindergarten through 8th grade in district & charter school settings. Kate’s passion for ensuring each child receives an education that is tailored to their unique needs drives her desire to be a continuous learner in the ever-changing field of special education. To further her professional learning, Kate completed National Board Certification as an Exceptional Needs Specialist – Early Childhood through Young Adult.
 
Kate has worked as a staff development coach & new teacher mentor, designing professional learning for special and general education teachers & staff, coaching special education teachers on instruction and IDEA compliance.

Kate also has a child with exceptional needs. In her spare time, Kate enjoys traveling with her husband and children, crafting, exercising, and getting outdoors.

Education

• Masters of Education – Special Education, Arizona State University
• Masters of Education – Educational Leadership, Arizona State University
• Bachelors of Music – Music Education, Miami University

Need help with Special Education Advocacy?

Contact Kate

• Navigating the Special Education System & Meeting Support
• Accommodation, Service & Goal Advisement
• Special Education Laws & Compliance

Sara Emerson, Executive Function Coach

Sara began as an elementary teacher and taught in a public school for over ten years.  She noticed many of her students struggled with organizational skills & was spending many hours teaching students how to keep an agenda, plan out & start an assignment, how to take notes & create study skills. These are skills called Executive Functions, and many students are lagging in these skills, so Sara left the classroom to help them individually shine.

For the past 5 years, Sara has worked with students from grade school to college, as an Executive Function coach & tutor.  Executive Function skills needed to be taught and put into practice for success to take place, not only in academics but in all areas of daily living & Sara looks forward to strengthening these skills with your student.

Sara was born to be organized & finds great joy in planning out her days in sunny AZ with her family. She loves interior design, working out to 80s jams, iced tea, and pool days.

Education

• Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, Arizona State University
• Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education, Arizona State University

 Need help with Executive function Skills?

Contact Sara

• Increase Organization & Time Management
• Goal Setting & Planning
• Career Exploration & College Planning

Amy Gingrich, Executive Function Coach

Amy’s career in education started decades ago, working with students across all levels including special education. She then moved onto higher education in 2004, as a Disability Services Advisor in addition to teaching as an adjunct faculty member.

As the Mom of two young adults, she has personally helped them transition to life after High School and loves this stage in life. You will find her hanging with her family in Huntington Beach, CA where she runs on the beach, reads, & and helps young adults find their next step in life after High School

Education

• Masters in Education, University of Phoenix
• Bachelors of Science, Sociology/Child & Family Services, California State University-Long Beach

Need help with Executive Function Skills?

Contact Amy

• Increase Organization & Time Management
• Goal Setting & Planning
• Career Exploration & College Planning