Teresa Horgan Educational Advocate

Helping you navigate for the best education for your child

Let me introduce myself: for the past 39 years, I have worked as an OCT certified Teacher at the Toronto District School Board, and for the last 28, as a Special Education Teacher and a Method and Resource Teacher.

Part of my responsibilities included chairing School Support Team meetings, and on many occasions, I witnessed the frustration and confusion of parents and guardians as they sat across the table from School Board officials and listened to “education speak”. Many of them clearly felt intimidated or uninformed when dealing with their child’s school team. Often, that led to ineffective and unproductive relationships, resulting in the child’s needs being lost in translation.

As a teacher, I have continually supported parents and students, ensuring that students were receiving adequate and necessary accommodations and modifications for academic success. As a Method and Resource Teacher, I have facilitated many IPRC meetings, always advocating for students. My experience also includes sitting on the other side of the table as a parent. When my son was in Grade 3 at the Toronto Catholic District School Board, he was identified as exceptional. Even as a teacher, I recall feeling overwhelmed by the discussion(s) at his IPRC meeting(s). When he transitioned to Grade 9 and I attended the first parent/teacher interview, I found myself asking if his teachers knew that my son was exceptional and if they read his Individual Education Plan!

Mission Statement: To empower you as parents/guardians to fully participate in the IPRC process, so that your ideas and wishes are considered in the decisions made about your child’s education. I want to provide you with an understanding and strategies that will allow you to be your child’s strongest advocate.
If you are the legal guardian of a child in the public education system, you have a right to participate in the decisions made about your child’s education.

“When we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become wiser, more inclusive, and better as an organization.”
— Pat Wadors.

Testimonial for a Dedicated Special Education Teacher and Not-for-Profit Advocacy Founder: I am thrilled to provide a heartfelt testimonial for my esteemed colleague and dear friend, Teresa Horgan. I have had the privilege of working alongside Teresa for many years, witnessing her unwavering commitment and passion for special education. Now, as she embarks on the journey to start a not-for-profit special education advocacy website, I am certain that her remarkable qualities will continue to shine, benefiting countless individuals in need. Throughout our time working together, I have admired Teresa's exceptional dedication to her students. She possesses an innate ability to connect with the individuals in her care. Teresa is an expert in her field and a compassionate, patient educator, always going above and beyond to ensure that every student's unique needs are met. What truly sets Teresa apart is her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of her students. Her decision to launch her website demonstrates a passion to reach beyond the classroom walls and extend her impact to a wider audience. I have no doubt that Teresa will pour her heart and soul into this endeavour, utilizing her extensive knowledge and experience to provide invaluable resources and support to families, educators, and individuals with special needs. In addition to her exceptional teaching abilities, Teresa possesses remarkable organizational skills and an unmatched work ethic. I have witnessed her tireless efforts in planning and implementing effective instructional strategies and interventions, ensuring that every student receives the best possible education and support. Beyond her professional attributes, Teresa is a person of great integrity and compassion. She treats everyone she encounters with kindness, respect, and genuine empathy. Her ability to listen attentively and understand the unique challenges faced by individuals with special needs and their families is a testament to her extraordinary character. It is with utmost confidence that I recommend Teresa Horgan and her advocacy website to anyone seeking support, guidance, and resources in the field of special education. Teresa's dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with special needs make her an invaluable resource for the community. I feel privileged to have worked alongside Teresa Horgan, and to have witnessed her transformative work firsthand. As she embarks on this new chapter of her journey, I have no doubt that Teresa Horgan Advocates will serve as a beacon of hope, knowledge, and empowerment for countless individuals and families. Wishing Teresa every success in her noble endeavour, and I wholeheartedly support her mission to create a more inclusive and supportive world for individuals with special needs. Sincerely,
Nancy McCarthy: Teacher, Toronto District School Board.

t is my extreme pleasure that I share a wholehearted testimonial for my daughter’s favourite teacher, Teresa Horgan. My daughter has just begun her transition to high school, but Teresa’s legacy lives on in our home, hearts and minds. She planted the seeds of advocacy many years ago and set us up for success going forward in secondary school and beyond. Teresa is the teacher that I wished I had during my elementary school years as a student in Toronto. My child has Dyslexia with LD and is at a delayed grade level by several years. Without Teresa’s unwavering support and guidance, we would literally not have survived the minefield of Special Education and Inclusion at the TDSB. Teresa consistently went out of her way and well beyond her scope of work as a teacher to fiercely support myself and my child in many ways. Teresa was involved in the earliest phases of the identification and placement process. We elected to undergo a private spec/ed assessment and was informed that our daughter met the criteria for several intellectual exceptionalities and she would benefit from instructional programs and support services available through TDSB special education. It was at this time that Teresa was formally assigned as our daughter’s Resource, Home School Teacher (HSP) and our daughter was able to receive the benefits of the Intensive Support Program (ISP). Teresa is gifted at using the elements of communication, collaboration and co-planning. She was a vital resource in mapping out the annual Individual Education Plan (IEP) for our child. This allowed for transparency and easier info-sharing among the teachers and school board, which ultimately provided our child with several formats of alternate curriculum in a manner that would work to our daughter’s strengths. Teresa attended every IPRC Review meeting, guided us through the steps needed to obtain a personal assistive device/assistive technology equipment (SEA Claim) laptop and also guided us through the process of obtaining a much-needed French language exemption. Teachers like Teresa are truly unique. She is a true education champion. Teresa was never more than a phone call way. She made herself available day and night and we shared many offline conversations about how to approach critical issues, obstacles and challenges. I was at peace simply knowing that she was in our corner; knowing that she not only cared about successful outcomes but cared about our daughter and our family on a personal level well beyond anything she would be monetarily compensated for. Teresa, you are our hero!
S Boston: Parent

I am delighted to share my heartfelt testimonial about an exceptional teacher of special education who has made a profound impact on the lives of many students, including my own child Teresa Horgan is an extraordinary educator who possesses an unparalleled dedication to her craft. Her passion for teaching and her genuine love for her students shine through in everything she does. From the moment we met her, it was evident that she goes above and beyond to create a warm and inclusive learning environment. My child, who has learning challenges, often struggled in traditional classrooms, but under Teresa Horgan’s guidance, they thrived and gained a newfound sense of confidence. Teresa also possesses an exceptional understanding of programs and resources that are available to students.. She understands the obstacles navigating the school system and has always been there to support parents and students Furthermore, Teresa maintains strong communication with parents, keeping us well-informed about our child's progress and any areas that need additional attention. She actively seeks input from parents and works collaboratively with us to develop strategies that can be used in class and at home Beyond her role as a teacher, Ms. Horgan actively advocates for the inclusion and acceptance of children with special needs within the school community. She organizes awareness programs, promotes understanding among students, and encourages a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and respected. In summary, Teresa Horgan is an exceptional advocate of special education whose unwavering commitment, boundless compassion, and innovative teaching methods have made an immense difference in the lives of her students and their families. She has created a positive and empowering learning environment that celebrates diversity and nurtures the potential in each child.
Parent

As your Educational Advocate, I will:
• Advocate for your child’s identities, abilities and lived experiences
• Listen to your problems and help you find solutions
• Give you moral support
• Attend meetings with you
• Help you gather all necessary information
• Help you write letters, or write letters on your behalf
• Help you understand how the system works and the many acronyms that exist in education
• Help you understand your rights
• Help you access resources and services for you and your child
• Supporting Post Secondary students navigate Accessibility Services

Our consulting agency operates as a not-for-profit organization.

FUNDING AND ABA

Ontario Autism Program (OAP) – For children and youth up to age 18 who have been diagnosed with ASD. You need to register your child to get on the list for the OAP. If you receive a letter to apply for a Childhood Budget, then you can complete the application for it. Money is provided directly to the families to purchase services and supports for their child (under 6 years old are eligible to receive $20,000/child; 6 years and older are eligible to receive $5000/child). Run by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (P.O. Box 193, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1N3); oap@ontario.ca;1-888-444-4530.

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