Amanda Raymond
PEATC Military Outreach and Family Support Specialist
Virginia
I am first and foremost a mother to two strong, resilient and amazing children with autism. They have very different support needs and have taught me so much - they have really made me a better person, as cliché as it sounds. I really wanted to help families who were living a life similar to mine, so I started working for PEATC almost two years ago. I love helping families to navigate the world of special education, understand their rights, and build collaborative relationships with schools. Seeing firsthand how segregated classrooms can be detrimental to students, I have fought for my children to be included in schools with their peers and continue to advocate for inclusive education here in Virginia. Growing up, I was a Navy brat, then I served in the Navy, and then I married a Navy service member, so it made sense that I now serve military families as PEATC's Military Outreach Specialist. I am really excited to work with two esteemed professionals to present about advocating for inclusive practices at TASH and to share any experiences and lessons learned with others.