“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”

-Ignacio Estrada

I partner with parents to support and advocate for their child with learning differences in a school setting. I coach and empower families to better understand and navigate the Multi-Tiered System of Supports and Special Education process and systems, while building positive relationships with schools and teachers. By supporting effective communication and collaboration with their child's educational team, I instill confidence that their child is getting the support they need to be successful in school, and provide relief to the family during challenging and uncertain times.

Meet Michelle

My Services

Currently Serving the Bay Area

  • Early Intervention

    Support your preschool aged child in preparation for Kindergarten.

  • IEPs & 504s

    Prepare for and monitor IEP and 504 processes, focused on accommodations, goals, and progress monitoring.

  • Transitions

    Prepare for transitions from preschool to elementary school, between grades, new school, and more.

  • Resources

    Provide you with and connect you to other professionals and organizations to support your child.

  • Program Support

    Contract with schools to provide assessment and intervention development and support.

  • Response to Intervention (RTI)/Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

    Assist you with seeking supports for your child through the Students Success Team (SST) Process.

What People Are Saying

 

“Michelle Prather helped me understand the language of an IEP when I was overwhelmed with a very complex kiddo. What I appreciated most about Michelle, is she really listened to my needs and the needs of my child and helped me focus his goals so that his IEP was more scaffolded so that I could understand and the school could understand what our list of priorities were for some very diverse needs. That organization and understanding helped me focus on goal oriented steps and understand what to ask for so that we started to achieve a better level of success in our communication with his team at school and our confidence at home. I felt very "heard" and "seen" and Michelle's expertise and experience was matched with empathy and kindness.”

— Ami (Parent)

 

— Leo (Student)

"Over the six plus years I've known Michelle, she has been our learning specialist, advocate, resource, advisor, and friend. We met Michelle at the start of my son's first grade year at a new school; as the school learning specialist, she had him on the path to an IEP in less than two months, after I had spent his entire kindergarten year getting nowhere. We got the services we needed, and she was always on top of his case, tracking him in the classroom, advocating for his needs, coordinating the members of our IEP team, and sharing documentation *ahead* of meetings. Years later, when I decided that my son needed a specialized school to address his particular issues, Michelle walked me through what I should think about, and ultimately connected me with a colleague, who could give me a first hand view of the main schools we should be considering. Having a child with learning issues can be such a hard road. I'm grateful that I've had Michelle's consistent guidance and support while I'm on it."

— Wendy (Parent)

 

“Michelle brings a wide range of experience and a deep passion for ensuring diverse learners have an opportunity to thrive. I’m excited to see her pursue this path to support families with navigating special education. Her background as both a parent and educator situates her to help bridge gaps between schools and families in their efforts to partner on behalf of students who arguably need that partnership the most!”

— Special Education Administrator, San Francisco