Empowering Ohio Families to Confidently
Navigate Special Education
in Ohio

Mary Jo O'Neill, M.Ed., is an experienced Special Education Advocate dedicated to supporting students and families as they navigate the special education process. With a strong understanding of IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, procedural safeguards, and parent rights, she works closely with families to ensure students receive the educational services and supports they need to thrive both academically and emotionally.

Throughout her work with parents and school teams, Mary Jo has developed a reputation for her compassionate, collaborative, and student-centered approach. She assists families in preparing for meetings, understanding evaluation results, communicating effectively with school districts, and advocating for appropriate accommodations and services. Her focus is always on helping families feel informed, empowered, and confident during every stage of the process.

Mary Jo is passionate about fostering positive relationships between educators and families while keeping the individual needs of each child at the center of every conversation and decision. She believes that successful advocacy comes from preparation, trust, communication, and a shared commitment to student success. In her role as a Special Education Advocate, she is committed to guiding families with professionalism, care, and unwavering support because every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.

Melissa Miller is an experienced education professional with over 28 years of service across teaching, administration, and special education leadership. She began her career as a middle school teacher in Fairport Harbor, where she taught English Language Arts and mathematics to seventh and eighth grade students. Her commitment to student growth and instructional excellence led her into administration in 2007, when she became an assistant principal at Wickliffe Middle School.

In 2015, Melissa joined Kenston Local Schools as an assistant principal at the high school level, where she served for four years before transitioning into district-level leadership in special education. She first served as a Special Education Coordinator and then spent the past decade as Director of Special Education, overseeing programs, compliance, and services to support students with diverse learning needs.

Melissa holds a Master's degree in Education - Teaching as well as a second Master's degree in Educational Leadership - Administration. She brings extensive expertise in special education law, policy, and procedural safeguards, along with a deep understanding of school systems and collaborative team processes.

In her role as a Special Education Advocate, Melissa is dedicated to empowering families through knowledge, guidance, and support. She is committed to fostering positive, trusting relationships between families and school teams, ensuring that every meeting is meaningful and focused on student success, because every meeting counts.