We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelly Agostine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelly, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The field of Educational Advocacy (Special Education specifically), which I work in, came out of my own family experience. I first had to step into that arena as a parent. At the time I was also a military spouse and found the system difficult to navigate and cumbersome. I had started parent support groups on two military installations and found that parents in my groups were experiencing the same struggles. Out of my grass roots parent organizations, grew my advocacy. I felt that parents needed to understand the process and become informed, competent and active members of the IEP (Individual Education Plan) team in order to assist their children in their educational progress.

What should our readers know about your business?
I founded Advocate 2 Educate, LLC. to help families and their children with disabilities, gain access to the supports and services they are entitled to and need to make progress in the academic setting. It is very important to me that parents understand the process of special education in the school system and their rights as parents on the team.

What sets me apart, I feel, is that I not only advise and attend meetings, but I train the parents along the way so that they can become informed, affective and active members of their child’s IEP team. By doing so they will be able to successfully navigate and participate in the IEP process for their child throughout their academic careers. I am proud of my ability to help parents in this endeavor and set them off on a path that they can walk successfully in the future without me.

I reached this accomplishment by self-education, formal training and collaborative problem solving with others in the educational and advocacy field. The processes all came with their own challenges. Partly because I was a military spouse whose husband was deployed at times, finances could be challenging and problem solving and negotiating the process of special education always come with difficulty and learning curves. I have always been the type of person who rises to a challenge and doesn’t give up when faced with difficult things. Anything worth doing is worth the struggle in my eyes.

Along the way I have learned about negotiation, collaboration, positive interactions, the need for training and most importantly how my work opens doors for students with disabilities through the interactions I have with parents, guardians and educators.

I would like the world to know that when faced with difficult things we can all push past them into something greater. The students and families I work with everyday face challenges in their academics and in their access to the services and supports they need to progress in their academic environment. When they learn through my walk with them, it helps them break past the challenges they face and find success. It’s also important for the world to know that every student deserves to be seen, heard, make progress in academics and be included. Not only in school, but in the community and beyond education into life. Inclusion begins at birth and access to education through services, supports and inclusion is their right. It is my mission to Bridge the Gap for students with disabilities in education and in life. I do that best by advocating with them and their parents or guardians at the table.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in the greater Colorado Springs area. It’s a wonderful place filled with so many things to see and do. For anyone visiting me on a week long trip it There are a few key must sees.

Day 1 We’d hit Buttermilk for breakfast followed by a trip to Garden of the Gods to hike off the calories from the cinnamon bun and take in the majesty of the red rock formations and the views of Pikes Peak. The next stop, Glen Erie Castle for a tour in the afternoon followed by dinner and drinks downtown at Shuga’s.

Day 2 would include waking up late and heading downtown to Loyal Coffee for breakfast followed by a full day of touring all the Olympic event centers such as the Museum, Ice Skating Hall of Fame, and training center. We’d wrap up the day with dinner at The Wild Goose Meeting house for music and food.

Day 3 would start with breakfast at home, then off to explore the Cave of the Winds and the Manitou Cliff dwellings. Stopping to eat a picnic lunch in the park before shopping in Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City. Finishing the day with dinner on the patio at Pizza Rustic in Old Colorado City.

On Day 4 we’d pack a lunch and head off to hike The Crags trail near Divide Colorado and stop to eat dinner at The Golden Bee at the Broadmoor Hotel. Day 5 would be a great time to spend chilling on our back deck enjoying the views of the mountains, having a cold beverage or glass of wine with a charcuterie board.

Day 5 would be a great time to spend on our deck enjoying the views of the mountains and have a cold beverage or glass of wine with a charcuterie board. Killing the day with long conversation and laughter as the day turns into night around the fire pit and dinner on the bbq.

Day 6 would include breakfast at the Broadmoor Hotel, tour of the property, maybe catch a productional at one of the Fine Arts Centers, finish up with a four course meal at the fabulous Four by Brother Luck.

The last day would be a simple day enjoying the local walking trails or taking a ride up Pikes Peak on the Cog railway. Finishing off the visit with a sunset dinner at the Grand View Restaurant at the Garden of the Gods Resort.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to the teachers and principal that worked along side me early on, in gaining access for my own children in the academic setting and learning along with me things they too did not know or understand. I’d like to thank the teachers and educational professionals I work with everyday for their dedication. Most importantly I’d like to thank the parents who chose me to assist them in gaining the access their students need and deserve. 

Website: https://www.advocatetwoeducate.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advocatetwoeducate/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/advocate2educate-21929948/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Advocate2Educate/

Image Credits
Caitlin Alysse Photography

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