Rebecca Russell

I hesitate to define my work in terms of “success,” because true success would mean every child already has the support they need, and we are not there yet. My motivation comes from my own experience navigating complex systems without guidance, which is why I created an IEP workbook in the Virgin Islands that simplifies the process, breaks down questions into plain language, and helps parents prepare to participate confidently in meetings. I saw firsthand how intimidating the language and professionals can be for families, often discouraging them from speaking up. My goal is to make the process clearer, more accessible, and rooted in compassion so parents can fully participate in decisions about their child’s education.

The best guidance I’ve received didn’t come in the form of traditional career advice. No one pointed me in a direction or laid out a path for me to follow. Instead, I learned through necessity—I couldn’t wait for someone else to step in, so I had to act and figure things out as they came. My greatest teacher has been my own experience as a parent, and my son, in many ways, guided me to become his strongest advocate. That responsibility shaped how I show up in my work and reinforced the importance of stepping forward even without clear instruction or external direction.

My advice to young women entering this field is to develop a strong, grounded voice and a sense of internal balance, because advocacy work is not always easy or pleasant. You will face challenging situations where emotions can run high, so it is important to stay centered, think clearly, and respond in a way that keeps the focus on the child’s needs. As an advocate, you are often the voice for a child’s rights to services, accommodations, and supports under special education law, so you must be prepared to communicate firmly, confidently, and with purpose. That means being assertive without being disrespectful—firm, but never rude. You also need to be knowledgeable, because not every professional will get it right, and part of your responsibility is understanding what should be happening to ensure children receive what they are legally entitled to.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is the lack of consistent funding for disability-focused programs, particularly as nonprofit support has become more limited and, in some cases, routed through already strained government systems. In the Virgin Islands, this often means there are not enough resources to meet families’ needs in the way we would ideally like. As a result, we have to become highly creative and resourceful—helping parents identify alternative supports through community spaces like libraries, churches, and local centers, learning from accessible online resources, and sometimes organizing parent cooperatives to share services and support. At the same time, I see an important opportunity in strengthening training and education for professionals across agencies so they are better equipped to serve families effectively and consistently.

Compassion and empathy guide my work, along with the ability to stay firm and grounded when needed. My focus is always on what children are entitled to under IDEA and ensuring they receive the services and supports they need, rather than being influenced by pressure or personalities in the room. I believe the IEP process should be clear, compassionate, and non-intimidating, empowering parents to participate confidently. Having navigated it alone myself, I’m committed to making the process easier and more accessible for other families.