Meg Lea, MAT
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Exceptional
Persons
Consultant
& Individualized
Support Planner
With over 20 years passionately serving and advocating for persons with intellectual, emotional, physical, and developmental differences, I support these exceptional beings and their families in gaining the skills they need to thrive in the world with the utmost autonomy and independence.
I believe that all people, regardless of individual challenges, deserve to be seen and heard for their unique gifts and strengths.
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 communication, and discovered how to support each individual with the tools that would help them meet their specific needs. I carried those skills into my next role at the Asheville Open Hearts Art Center (OHAC), 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.
I began working in mental healthcare, primarily with “at risk” adolescents experiencing a variety of behaviors. I learned that, underneath many of these behaviors, there lived deep emotions around untreated developmental and learning disabilities.
Behaviors emerge from deep emotions, like flares signaling the need for creative solutions.
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, how to grow their own food, and how to connect and nurture their relationship with themselves and their environment.
As I transitioned from working in the crisis and behavioral assessment environment, I saw an opportunity to transfer what worked for those teens into improving 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 people of all abilities.
Master’s in Teaching: Special Education, from North Carolina State University
Science of Reading Certification with the NC State Improvement Program; Trained in 95 RAP
Well-versed in the North Carolina Public Education System
Informed in the latest policy changes affecting students with disabilities
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