Meg Lea, MAT
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Exceptional Children's Teacher & Advocate for Individuals with Disabilities
& Individualized
Support Planner
With over 20 years passionately serving and advocating for persons with intellectual, emotional, physical, and developmental differences, I support these exceptional humans and their families by offering support and teaching the skills needed to thrive in the world with the utmost autonomy and independence.
I believe that all people, regardless of individual challenges, deserve the opportunity to thrive, and really enjoy their lives.
My professional experience as a direct care provider in the mental health field began in high school. During my senior year, I volunteered at a day school for students who were diagnosed with 'moderate' and 'severe' disabilities.
At an early age, I was introduced to the nuances of verbal and nonverbal communication, and the variety of ways people meet their own specific needs. I carried those skills into my next role in Asheville at Open Hearts Art Center, where I had the privilege of learning how to offer art therapy for adults with disabilities.
These experiences refined my own core values, solidifying my commitment to the life-long vocation of working alongside these exceptional people.
When I began working more intensively in mental healthcare, primarily with "at-risk" adolescents facing a variety of challenges, I learned that beneath many difficult behaviors lie unmet emotional needs and unidentified learning disabilities.
Behaviors can be a signal of deep emotions and unmet needs.
I tap into the natural world and its systems to help my students become more self-regulated and available to learning.
While teaching horticulture and outdoor education at a therapeutic boarding school, I supported students by providing a space to learn self-regulation, grow their own food, and nurture their relationships with themselves and their environment.
As I transitioned from working in crisis and behavioral assessment, I saw an opportunity to apply what had worked for those teens to improve the elementary and middle school classroom setting as well.
Throughout my professional journey,
I have come to understand that learning how to self-regulate, self-advocate, and connect with oneself are essential life skills for humans of all abilities, in all settings.
Master’s in Teaching: Special Education, Highly-Qualified Teachers License
Extensive training in the science of reading and research-based intervention modalities
Teaching experience in the North Carolina Public Education System
Informed around state and federal laws governing exceptional person's services
Academic Support
Tutor students in academics and development of executive functioning skills
Assess needs for educational placement, employment, and independent living
Functional Living Assessment
& Skill Building
Advocacy
&
Family Support
Advocate for families navigating the IEP/504 process
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