Consulting & Advocacy

Expert guidance for navigating the education system

It’s often difficult and emotional for parents to navigate the school system, let alone know the right questions to ask when seeking an IEP or 504. Also, we can serve as an advocate for academic progress and overall development, including students’ cognitive skills, identity, and mental, social and emotional health. At Hawthorne Learning Solutions, Emma Hawthorne is an expert resource who serves as a liaison between your family and the school.

Get the guidance and expertise you need so that your child has the programming and resources that they deserve!

As a former School Principal and Special Education Teacher, Emma knows how to navigate the system and how to guide all parties toward a resolution that is best for the child—from implementation of a specialized education plan to appropriate classroom accommodations.

Our Process

Initial Consultation

Together, we’ll assess your student’s strengths and challenges to guide next steps

Collaborative Approach

We’ll review and develop education plans and accommodations and communicate with the school

Advocacy at School Meetings

We’ll accompany you to provide expertise, experience and knowledge to help guide you through the IEP or 504 process

Regular Communication

Emails and phone calls ensure you have a cohesive strategy and necessary follow up

How We Work

We start by meeting with you, the parents or guardian, and will work together to assess your child’s educational needs. We can also draw upon outside resources, such as psychologists and psychiatrists, and form a plan for working with the school. This ranges from emailing counselors and school administrators to setting up formal meetings. Then, we will accompany you to school meetings to ensure appropriate education solutions are put in place.

Our years of experience and expertise, as well as our collaborative approach, help us make the necessary connections, know when to act, and quickly generate a helpful plan. We can help with:

Independent assessments
Education laws and policies
Reviewing student records
Establishing and maintaining contact with school officials
Recommending options
Monitoring efforts to address problems until results are reached
Classroom observations

Emma played an instrumental role in helping me secure my daughter secure an IEP, and continues to check in every year to make sure she is meeting her goals. Hawthorne Learning has truly been a class above the rest. Their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to helping my kids succeed have been nothing short of outstanding.

Jill

If you are considering hiring Emma as your advocate to help you through the IEP process…..DO NOT HESITATE for one moment! I underestimated my ability to navigate the first meeting leaving me feeling overwhelmed and defeated. Emma joined me through the the rest of the process and she successfully secured the services my son needed and deserved. Emma is a true professional—incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and extremely effective!

Jennifer

The tutors at Hawthorne have helped her in content areas, improved her organizational skills as well as gain the confidence to advocate for herself with her teachers. In addition, Matt and Emily helped us to identify that our daughter had been struggling with reading and encouraged us to push for support from the district, which allowed her to receive accommodations she needed to be successful in her courses.

Dave

Why HLS

As a former School Principal and Special Education Teacher, Emma has the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to navigate the education system. She knows the right questions to ask, your rights, and the school’s responsibilities. Her unique skill set and knowledge allows her to work with the school and your family to achieve the goals and solutions your family needs.

FAQs

Will you go to a meeting at school with me?

Yes, we accompany families to IEP and 504 meetings, as well as other situations at the school.

Should my child come to the initial consultation?

Our initial meeting is with just the parents.

Let's get your student started on the path to success

Contact Emma today so we can set your child up with the learning supports he or she needs to thrive.