Our Team
All of the Educational Advocates below have completed at least thirty hours of in-house Special Education Advocacy Training at SCA. We are former public school professionals and seasoned parents of children with disabilities prepared to guide you through the channels we know well. Click the button and request to be connected with an advocate. If you are interested in becoming an educational advocate, we want to meet you, too. Please contact us and tell us about yourself.
Dr. Jana Macias, CEO, Founder of Special Children Advocacy (SCA) M.S. Special Education, University of Tennessee, PhD, Vanderbilt University. The mother of an adult son with ASD, Jana was a special education teacher before moving into administration. Having served as an elementary, then middle school principal, she later entered district administration as an assistant superintendent and special education director, serving in that capacity for over thirty years.
““Moving into the role of advocate was natural for me, and I truly enjoy my work with parents, helping them to become stronger as advocates for their child.”
- Dr. Jana Macias”
Laura Donahue, M.Ed. She taught secondary English for eleven years in Newport News and Virginia Beach. Currently, she works as a college writing instructor for Pearson Education. Laura taught many inclusion classes during her teaching tenure, giving her insight into the needs and opportunities for special education students. Laura has remained in education through continuing education, training, and through advocacy.
Cheryl Marvin, M.S. in Special Education, B.A., Recreational Therapy. She is currently pursuing a second M. S. in School Counseling. Experienced in teaching students with various disabilities across settings, including co-instructing inclusion classrooms, for nearly 20 years. Her passion has always been to help the whole child.
Fatoumata (Faby) Diallo, M.Ed., Special Education, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) certified, Board Certified BCBA and Licensed Behavior Analyst by VA Board of Medicine. Mother of a son with ASD; owner of ABA private practice in Newport News, VA.
Nikki Moore, M.S.Ed., is a state certified educator and licensed administrator with over twenty-five years of experience advocating for children. Former division director and district compliance specialist. Effective IEP teams use collaboration to prevent conflict and benefit the child. With meaningful parent input, an IEP can be developed that meets the child’s needs.
Berkley Wheeler. M.Ed., Special Education and Teaching, Post-Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Currently serves as Behavior Intervention Specialist for Virginia Beach public schools, Former Special Education teacher. Supports children academically, behaviorally, and emotionally in school - while empowering you to advocate for your child.
Beverly Thomas, B.A., Health and Physical Education. Active in the Behavioral Health Care Board (CSB) and volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corp of Portsmouth. Recently retired Recreation Manager for the city of Hampton. Former teacher in the public school system, and parent of a child with a disability.
Tiffanie Bashay, MBA, B.A., Public Policy Administration. Experience in private & public Human Resources. Mother of a special needs child, Tiffanie was raised in a family of educators. Her active volunteer schedule focuses on women & children, as well as the Tidewater Autism Society. She has been a member of the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach for eight years.
LaTonya D. Slade, B.S., Health Science. 20-year Coast Guard career. Continuing graduate work in special education and applied behavior analysis (ABA). Has personal and professional experience working with children with behavioral and learning disabilities, both in-home and in public school. She currently works part-time as a Registered Behavior Technician.
Stephanie Hyleman, M.Ed., Counseling and Development. Stephanie is a certified K-12 School Counselor and has a special needs son. Experience includes serving as a substitute teacher and a counselor, counseling special needs children in the private sector, and advocating for her son in the public school. Stephanie serves in South Carolina.
Jennifer Coyne, B.S., Early Childhood Education, B.A., Psychology. Experience as a Developmental Educator in Early Intervention and as a Family Advocate in the Washington D.C.. Jennifer is a mother of three, with two on the Autism Spectrum. She is dedicated to finding your child's pathway to success.
Jenny Blanchette, B.S. Elementary and Special Education. Experienced in traditional classroom settings, as well as in home tutoring, and community based programs. She has worked closely with families of students with disabilities, youth in transition to adulthood, and English language learners. As a person with a disability and a parent to a child with special needs, Jenny can understand your concerns, the needs of your child, and the expectations of your school.
Robbi Trent Everett M.Ed., Special Education, B.S., Human Services, M.Ed., Special Education. She has over 10 years of experience working in the local school system. She has a passion for children and facilitates the tools they need to be successful in school.
Cindy Mills, Educational Advocate