Hidden Gems: Meet April Rehrig of Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to April Rehrig.

Hi April, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Everyone has a journey. Mine began more than 30 years ago as a teen volunteering in a special education school. What an amazing experience! During and after college I tutored kids, was a teacher’s aide, worked at YMCA, and was a substitute. Becoming a teacher, gave tons of experiences helping every kind of learner. One day, I discovered a school psychologist testing in a closet (this is where we usually work) and was hooked! For two decades I ventured into countless schools, wrote thousands of reports, attended all kinds of IEPs, and developed intervention plans.

I knew it was time for a change and headed back to school and became a Licensed Educational Psychologist and Board Certified Education Advocate, BCEA. After a career inside special education, I created Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting to pass my knowledge back to teams.

Outside of being a busy mom to three teenage boys, you can find me deep in exercise or digging in into my husband’s amazing food. My playful pug Luna commands our neighborhood and warms my heart with her crooked smile.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
During my years in the field, I witnessed many challenges and saw an opportunity to reform special education.

Families are confused with complex testing procedures, 504 Plans, and IEP process. Parents generally navigate disability supports alone, seeking advocacy only after months or years of disagreement with their team. Families want to understand paperwork and feel heard at the table to meaningfully participate throughout the process. Schools follow the labyrinth of state and federal guidance, and need to retool HOW they work with consumers; families and kids.

Looking back, I’d say it was a long and natural progression into advocacy. Many in the field view advocates on the parent’s side while teachers and schools square off on the other. Why is this? We can remove the barriers of disability access by reaching across the table, listening to understand, finding common ground, and focusing on what matters most, kids!

We’ve been impressed with Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I advocate with parents, teachers, and schools to craft education plans, services, and supports that make sense… In a nutshell, I reframe HOW and WHEN teams communicate.

My unique approach combines best practices in school psychology, teaching, parenting, and advocacy to resolve special education challenges. I offer online coursework and ready-to-use toolkits, taking everyone behind the scenes to break down special education into bite-size pieces. Whether parents or teachers are new to the process or need support with a current IEP, my “Do It with You” approach, gives the tools you need right from the start.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Yes, finding a mentor is essential! Special education can be such a lonely place, whether you’re a parent, teacher, or clinician. All of us need to have a safe place to feel heard, ask questions, and find community. Parents, trust your gut and ask for help right from the start. The doctors, clinicians, and specialists you seek should make your lives and homelife better. Parents and teachers, take time to care for yourself. Raising exceptional children is both incredibly rewarding and difficult. Together, we can make a difference!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.riseeducationaladvocacy.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilrehrigspecialeducationadvocate/

Image Credits
Bellasky Photography