Our Team
Our team is a powerhouse of diverse special education strategists who are passionate about the work we do. We work together relentlessly to ensure each student gets exactly what they need to reach their full potential. Collaboration with parents and schools is the cornerstone of our work. We are driven by a shared sense of purpose and with our combined decades of educational and clinical experience, paired with our extensive knowledge of special education law, we will work with you to ensure your child’s needs are met.
Mercedes is a dedicated and experienced advocate who has also been a Nationally Certified School Psychologist for over 12 years. She has a passion for promoting the well-being and academic success of students, which has been the driving force behind her career in special education.
Mercedes has had the privilege of working in diverse educational settings, including urban and suburban school districts. Her goal as an advocate and veteran school psychologist, is to empower students to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances. She is committed to ensuring every student has a safe, inclusive, and nurturing educational environment that supports their holistic development by way of advocacy and parental empowerment.
Whether supporting families in urban or suburban districts, Mercedes is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of students, families, and educators alike. She is an expert at addressing the unique challenges that students face in high-density, culturally diverse environments and in her tenure as an advocate and School Psychologist, she has successfully advocated for countless students to get them the services and support they need in school. She thrives on collaborating with parents and educators to foster home-school partnerships.
Mercedes has over a decade of experience conducting comprehensive assessments to identify learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, and other barriers to learning. Further, she has extensive knowledge of specific learning disabilities (SLD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental disabilities, emotional disturbances, and intellectual disabilities.
Beyond her work as an advocate, she is actively engaged in her local community, volunteering with organizations that focus on youth development and mental health awareness, furthering her dedication to the well-being of young people. She has a strong commitment to professional development and stays up to date with the latest developments in special education as well as the most current and best practices in the field of school psychology. Mercedes holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Masters degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Psychology, and is certified in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maryland.
Nicole has been in the special education field for almost 2 decades. She is a seasoned advocate as well as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). In addition to her work advocating for students, she has worked directly with students with a variety of diagnoses in school, home, community, and clinical settings. Nicole also has extensive experience as an educational consultant and through her work within schools districts, she has firsthand knowledge of how the special education system works and the areas which need improvement.
She has attended countless IEP meetings throughout her time in the field and has successfully advocated for the needs of her students. Nicole has written and reviewed hundreds of IEPs and using her extensive educational background, she is able to examine them with a fine-tooth comb to ensure they are appropriate and target the student’s areas of need. She prides herself on her ability to work collaboratively with both parents and educators to bridge the gap that often exists between home and school.
Her knowledge of special education law and processes paired with her extensive education and clinical background, help her to be a fierce advocate for the students and families with whom she works.
Nicole holds a Bachelor or Arts in Psychology from the University of Maine as well as a Master of Science in Behavioral Education from Simmons College. She has been a BCBA since 2007 and is also a Licensed Behavior Analyst.
Meet Kim, our Chaos Coordinator. She has worked in education for over 2 decades and effortlessly manages all operations at AdvUcate. We consider her our efficiency expert; she is proactive and thrives in our fast-paced environment. She is a scheduling genius and a problem-solving guru. She is a master at managing priorities, juggling multiple tasks, and is constantly seeking innovative ways to improve operations. Kim is often the first point of contact for our families and prides herself on being accessible and highly responsive to their needs. She fosters positive relationships and ensures the scheduling process for our families is efficient and seamless. Kim is passionate about our mission and takes on all administrative responsibilities so our advocates can focus on what they do best; getting our students the services and support they desperately need to thrive in school!
