Crozet Speech & Learning Center therapists and tutors support families in developing and reviewing Individualized Education Plans (IEP). We value the importance of working with the school and collaborating with members of the team to develop goals in all areas of need. This includes attending meetings in person as well as consulting with families 1:1.

Specifically, Rachel Chidester offers direct training and IEP advocacy support to parents. She has 17 years of experience in special education as well as the personal experience of navigating the public-school system for her own child with a disability. When teaching in the Albemarle County public schools, Rachel was responsible for developing and implementing IEPs to meet individual students’ needs. Now, she helps parents navigate the world of special education with the advantage, knowledge and training that only comes from being both a special education teacher and a parent of a child with a disability.  

Rachel’s IEP services include parent consults, IEP/educational planning, and IEP meeting attendance. Her goals are to help parents better understand the IEP process and their rights as well as help them ensure that their child gets the most appropriate and meaningful education possible.