In the realm of education, Leanndra Yates stands as a beacon of change, leading the charge to address the flaws in our education system, particularly when it comes to services and support for children and families with disabilities. The inception of her brainchild, Exclusive Insights, was not just a business venture but a heartfelt response to the persistent concerns raised by families, teachers, and administrators at both local and national levels.
The catalyst for Leanndra’s journey into special education advocacy stems from a glaring truth – the education system is broken. Families grapple with inconsistencies in the evaluation and identification process, struggle with inclusive programming and service delivery, face challenges during the transition into services, and often find themselves at odds with the unrealistic expectations placed on children with disabilities. It’s a labyrinthine system that all too often fails to serve those who need it most.
With over a decade of experience serving, protecting, and advocating for parents with children with disabilities, Leanndra is intimately acquainted with the challenges they face. During this time, she became a staunch educator, providing parents with the knowledge and support they needed to navigate an education system not designed with them in mind.
“One of the fundamental issues is that the school system isn’t created for parents, and certainly isn’t designed for parents to push back when injustice is occurring at the expense of their child with a disability,” Leanndra explains. It’s a stark reality that highlights the need for advocates like her who understand the system’s intricacies and are willing to champion the rights of those who might otherwise be overlooked.
What fuels Leanndra’s dedication is her profound connection with former students, families, and colleagues in public education. Her students, now adults, played a pivotal role in shaping her understanding of the education landscape. Through their experiences, she learned about the nuances of her profession, her career path, and the schooling system itself.
The gratitude expressed by her students’ parents underscores the transformative impact she had on their lives. “Families are typically only met with negativity and rigid thinking about their children,” Leanndra notes. In a system often marked by skepticism and fixed mindsets, her approach focuses on dispelling misconceptions and fostering a deeper understanding of child development, special education, trauma-informed care, and neuroplasticity among educators and administrators.
Exclusive Insights, founded in 2022, is Leanndra’s response to the pressing need for change. Through this education consulting business, she seeks to empower families, educators, and communities to rewrite the narrative of special education, one child at a time. It’s an uphill battle, but Leanndra’s unwavering commitment to growth, personalized support, and empathy serves as a guiding light for those navigating the complex terrain of special education.
In a world where the system often falls short, Leanndra Yates emerges as a force for positive transformation, illustrating how one individual’s dedication and compassion can spark a revolution in education. Through Exclusive Insights, she paves the way for a future where children and adolescents with disabilities are not just seen but celebrated for their unique and beautiful characteristics.
