Amanda Bailey

I'm a strategic problem solver who doesn't accept no as an answer. I turn my nos into achievements or successes. My ability to connect with and understand families, combined with my extensive experience in the field, is what makes me so successful. If I don't have the answer, I find it, and I'm very good at providing solutions. I understand that every family situation is unique and doesn't fit in one box - each family has their own pathway. I'm able to provide specific solutions tailored to each unique situation. What really sets me apart is that I understand how the educational system works because I've done it all - I taught general education, taught special education, wrote the IEPs, and ran the meetings. I know the system from the inside, and that's what allows me to find answers and provide solutions for families.

The best advice I've received is about turning negatives into positives - when one door closes, another one opens. I also believe deeply that failure leads to success, and that mistakes are proof you're trying. I don't see mistakes as setbacks - I turn mistakes into successes. This mindset has been crucial in my career because it keeps me moving forward and finding solutions even when things seem impossible.

Trust your values and your insight, and turn it into earned income. Don't let anything get in your way. I've been through so much - I moved to a state where I had no family, went through a divorce, and had to work multiple jobs to survive and support my family. But I was able to build myself up and create this business where I'm actually being nominated in a state I've only lived in for 5 years. My whole life I've been an educator, and I've worked my way through to this business despite all the challenges. So my advice is to trust yourself and don't let obstacles stop you from building something meaningful.

The biggest challenges in my field right now are that schools are severely short-staffed, which impacts the quality of support available to students and families. There are also major inconsistencies in education across different levels - from the state to the county to individual schools. The lack of continuity between these different sectors means that rules and procedures aren't always understood or implemented consistently across the board. There are limitations within schools due to regulations and resources, and so many families are suffering and being challenged because they don't even know that people like me exist to help them. Despite these challenges, I'm able to build relationships and find solutions by navigating these complex systems and advocating for what families need.

The values most important to me are being supportive, understanding, empathetic, and driven. I believe strongly that every child deserves a voice, and I don't let finances get in the way of helping families. Making sure everybody has a voice is fundamental to everything I do. I'm empowering and I build relationships to make sure families get what they need. If I don't know the answer, I'm going to find it - that determination and commitment to families drives everything I do in both my work and personal life.