Special Education Resources
for Parents
Get help with your child’s IEP
To reach out for support with your child’s IEP, please call: 833-596-1553
You can also fill out the form and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as we can!
What are my child’s rights in education?
Parents of children who receive or may be eligible for special education services have rights under
both the TN Rule 0520-01-09 and The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA 2014).
An important part of these laws provides parents with the right to participate in their children’s education.
The document below will give an overview of laws affecting the provision of special education to assist you in understanding your rights and responsibilities in the special education process.
The school district must give you a full copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards. It is a more detailed explanation of your rights. With this knowledge, you can prepare to take an active role in your child’s education.
Do you have more specific questions that we haven’t covered here?
Please reach out to us at specialeducation@thearctn.org
or use the chat box in the bottom left corner of your screen.
We’re happy to help!
Common Special Education Terms
These are common Special Education terms and definitions. If you are trying to learn more, we are here to help! Disability: A condition recognized by the law. To qualify for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), students must have a disability that...
Procedural Safeguards Quick Guide
When you attend an IEP Meeting, you should be offered a copy of the Procedural Safeguards. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to understand all of the parental rights that are described in that packet. The link below breaks it down into something that might be a bit...
Summer Options for Students with Disabilities
The state of TN has created many summer learning opportunities to help address learning loss that occurred during the pandemic. We wanted to share information about the various opportunities available so you can consider which of these, if any, might be the best fit...
Meet the Team!
Our Family Engagement Team consists of regional specialists dedicated to helping you. We have specialists across the state! Please have a look to see who the specialist is in your area.
NORTHWEST
Annette Graves – agraves@thearctn.org
Annette Graves is passionate about education and helping to empower children and adults. She has committed thirty years of her life to the area of education. Instructing in self contained and special education inclusion classes. Annette has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, A Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision from Trevecca Nazarene University, and recently obtained an additional Masters Degree in Conflict Resolution from Bethel University. Annette graduated from the Partners in Policymaking Leadership Institute, these classes provided leadership and advocacy training for adults with disabilities and their family members. Annette is an active advocate for her grandaughter June, who is on the Autism Spectrum. She is also a volunteer advocate for many people in her community. In her spare time she participates in public service activities through her sorority Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. As a Regional Family Engagement Specialist for the Arc Tennessee she plans to continue her mission to engage, empower and educate families in the Northwest Region.
MID-CUMBERLAND
Kendra Jones – kjones@thearctn.org
Kendra has five plus years of experience working with individuals of all ages in various capacities, in the Mental Health field. She has worked as a Case Manager, Family Engagement Specialist, job coach, and PRE-ETS teacher. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from Middle Tennessee State University. She also attended graduate school at Lindsey Wilson College and majored in Mental Health Counseling. Kendra has always been passionate about learning, teaching, planning, and being supportive of others. As a Certified Holistic Coach, she enjoys watching individuals grow and develop into the person they desire to become.
UPPER-CUMBERLAND
EAST TENNESSEE
Kathleen is a passionate advocate for helping individuals with disabilities reach their fullest potential, life goals, and independent living. She has been involved in the field for over 30 years as a Special Education Teacher K- 12 and college instructor for future teachers. Over the past five years she has written multiple curricula for career exploration and job readiness for high school students with disabilities helping them determine career decisions for their future and how to reach those goals. She has also provided vocational expert testimony for disability qualification hearings and provided job placement services. Her Bachelors of Social Work gives her a unique perspective to the whole person culturally, socially, mentally, and physically with adding in a Master of Special Education for the academic needs. Her focus and strength in using Assistive Technology for all aspects of life is in the forefront of providing success to the families and individuals whether it be for academics, daily life, independent living, or communication. Kathleen’s focus is that all individuals can meet their goals and be successful by exploring every option until the perfect fit is found.
SOUTHEAST
Molly Anderson – manderson@thearctn.org
Molly was born with “Apraxia” – a speech disorder. Her passion of helping people with disabilities started when she was in middle school working at a day camp for kids with disabilities. She graduated from Maryville College in 2018. In college, Molly co-authored the American Sign Language Bill that allowed schools across Tennessee to teach ASL as a foreign language credit in Tennessee high schools. She is currently pursuing a masters in Political Management from the George Washington University. She also previously worked as a Project SEARCH skills trainer and a skills trainer supervisor.
SOUTH CENTRAL
Susan Carr – scarr@thearctn.org
Susan has advocated for individuals with disabilities for the past 20 years. Her advocacy began when her oldest daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. From that moment, Susan began focusing on education, transition, independent living, and employment for individuals with disabilities. She has spent the last 10 years working as a Special Education teacher in both self- contained and inclusive classrooms. She received her degree from Middle Tennessee State but her real education comes from working with families to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.
SOUTHWEST
Katrina VanBuren – kvanburen@thearctn.org
Katrina is a proud Autism mom first. Katrina’s former job for the last 5 years was a public school special education teacher in a self contained classroom. She has a Master’s degree in Special Education from University of Phoenix and is currently pursing my ED.S for Educational Leadership, Special Education Director at Arkansas State University. She is excited about her new journey as Family Engagement Specialist with The Arc TN; helping to increase family engagement in special education within schools, families, and communities. She says that she believes that we as Sped parents, caregivers and educators will be grateful for all the resources, strategies, and trainings that will be offered.
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Jen Fisher –jfisher@thearctn.org
Jen is a nonprofit and communications expert by profession. She is excited to be a part of the Family Engagement team and to help empower families and increase engagement in special education. Jen began her career serving the health and human services community nearly 20 years ago, and most recently she has worked in both higher and elementary education. Her experience has taught her the importance of the strength of community support to ensure success for all. Jen received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Alabama.