Emily Barnes

My knowledge has come from many years of being an observer and active member in the positions of a teacher, sister, and mother. My love of teaching started when I was young. My sister was born with Down Syndrome. She was absolutely perfect to me in every way.  I heard words like “chromosome” for the first time. My parents asked me to promise to always protect my sister. That’s what I did - I protected her and became my sister’s teacher.  I watched as my mom took my sister to therapies and early intervention programs. I observed what they did with her and mimicked their strategies at home. I learned that getting her to laugh and enjoy learning was the best method to teach her. We taught her how to walk by crawling on the floor and playing games with her to motivate her to stand in order to strengthen her little legs. Her hands would hold on to me as she took supported steps, then I took that physical support away a little at a time until she took her first steps independently. She did fall quite a few times. It took time and determination from the entire family to teach her, and she did it. She reached her goal. She taught me patience. She taught me the importance of motivation. She taught me to never give up.   

I used the patience she taught me in my years of teaching in the public school system. I spent many years teaching students with disabilities and helping them reach their goals. With that, I also spent time with their families. I learned through experience that my students were the most successful when their parents were equal participants in the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) process. To be an equal participant you need to understand the process of Special Education in the public school system.  I worked with parents that trusted the school system and some that saw the school system as an enemy. I witnessed how distrust hindered the child’s progress, making it hard for the team to work together. The distrust stemmed from not understanding the process or the reasons why some decisions were made about the child’s plan. I want to end that distrust by sharing my knowledge, and therefore empowering parents with knowledge. I want to help parents understand and be fully informed when they meet with their school team. I will candidly supply you with advice on how to approach and work with the public school system and how to base your decisions on what your child can do, not what they can't. I want to give parents the tools they need to share their views and be an active participant when meeting with their child’s school team. You know your child the best. Knowledgeable parents that are respected by their school team will lead to developing a successful plan. A good plan implemented by a team that communicates and respects each other helps the student to reach their goals and fullest potential.

I was a public-school teacher for 16 years in North Carolina. I have a passion for teaching. I learned that you have to get to know the student before you can teach them. You have to learn about what they enjoy and incorporate it into the curriculum. They have to be interested in learning and be motivated to try. Without motivation you can't reach the student.  I experienced many different students with many different needs and learning styles. I have worked with students with learning disabilities including dyslexia, behavior difficulties, students with autism, students with Down Syndrome, and students with attention deficit difficulties. I have also worked with students that fell behind academically for other reasons but did not necessarily have a disability. I have witnessed the power of inclusion. It has to be done correctly to best benefit the child emotionally and educationally. Services should be based on the needs of the student not the needs of the school. 

I moved to Texas in the Summer of 2023 with two of my children and my husband. I also have two adult children in college in North Carolina. I have spent the last few months educating myself about the Texas special education policies and language. Texas uses different terms, but it is basically all the same policies that you would find in any state in the United States. Please let me know how I can help you help your child be successful. 

As an Advocate, I want to make parents informed and relevant members of the IEP meeting to help students and families reach their goals. 

As a teacher, I want to help students reach their goals.