Selene Almazan, Esq. (MD) has been a member of COPAA since its inception in 1998.  Selene was on the Board of Directors from 2003-2014.  She has represented students and families for nearly 30 years.  Selene is a former Supervising Attorney for the Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland where she represented children in the foster care system, including representation in special education matters. For nearly 23 years, Selene represented parents in special education matters with a primary focus on least restrictive environment (LRE) issues at the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education.  Since September 2014, Selene has been the Legal Director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) where she supports the work of the Amicus Committee as well as works on federal and local policy issues.  Since May 2015 Selene maintains a private practice focusing on parent and student representation in special education matters, including LRE. She represents families at IEP team meetings, state complaint proceedings, mediations, due process hearings, suspension/expulsion proceedings and federal court proceedings, including matters involving violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. She has extensive experience training families, teachers, school administrators, attorneys and advocates on legal issues related to special education law as well as disability discrimination issues.

Dr. Crumm is a longtime COPAA board member who leads COPAA's curriculum advisory group and is as a Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) 2.0 instructor.  Eileen works as the Executive Director of a nonprofit in northern California that serves families of children with developmental delays, disabilities, social emotional concerns and special health care needs.  Eileen and the multicultural, multilingual peer parent staff work with about 2500 families a year,  helping with community services including IEPs and IFSPs.   Eileen participates in Family Voices of California, Help Me Grow Alameda County and the Family Resource Center Network of California.   She has worked for the local Parent Training and Information Center (DREDF), as a special education advocate in private practice, and as a university professor.  Eileen is the proud parent of two young adults, one with physical disabilities.

Missy Alexander is the Director of Education at The Parents’ Place of Maryland, has been with the organization since 2002. She is the mother of an adult daughter with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, who was educated in the St. Mary’s County Public Schools for her entire academic career. She is the Co-Chair of the St. Mary’s County Local Management Board, serving as a community member. She is an active member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), serving on its Board of Directors where she was the first advocate to serve as Board Chair. Missy’s approach in working with families is driven by the firm belief that parents are the best advocates for their children, and she provides them with the information, support and encouragement to empower them to do so.

Shemica is an instructor for COPAA's BSEAT, SEAT 2.0, The Business of Special Education Advocacy, and also works as a TA. She is also the founder of a Special Education advocacy business called Personalized Learning Solutions. Shemica began her teaching career in 2000 teaching cardiac education classes in two cardiac rehabilitation programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.  She kept advancing her career in the area of Special Education after she received her Principal certification and later gained experience as a Lead Case Manager/Response to Intervention Coordinator at a middle school in Crowley ISD, Special Education Team Lead at a high school in McKinney ISD, and Vocational Adjustment Coordinator in Garland ISD. She also has experience as a Content Mastery Teacher, Homebound Teacher, and In Home Trainer. Shemica has completed the Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) 2.0 training through the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) which is a nationally developed and recognized year-long course that will help her better serve current and future clients.  She has attended hundreds of ARD/IEP, 504, and Student Support Team (SST) meetings. Shemica also has extensive training in facilitating Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD)/IEP committee meetings which requires effective  communication, problem solving, decision making, and conflict resolution.

Amy K. Bonn is a consulting attorney withCOPAA. She is also an attorney with the Law Office of Amy K. Bonn, LLC, whereshe represents families of children with disabilities in special education anddisability discrimination matters in Nebraska. She is a proud parent ofchildren with developmental disabilities. Amy frequently presents on legalissues pertaining to special education, Section 504, and the Americans withDisabilities Act before audience of families, lawyers, and supportprofessionals, and she has published articles on special education law andadvocacy.

As a military spouse of over 20 years,Amy is particularly passionate about advocating for military-connected childrenwith disabilities. She serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the Arc ofNebraska. She received her law degree summa cum laude from Creighton University Schoolof Law, an M.A. in English from the University of Pittsburgh, and a B.A. inEnglish from Oglethorpe University. She also completed a ten-month traineeshipin disability advocacy and leadership at the University Center for Excellencein Developmental Disabilities at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Sheis currently an adjunct legal research and writing instructor at CreightonUniversity School of Law.

Paula Senigar (CA) is a Special Education Advocate who has helped hundreds of families to navigate the complexities of Special Education. Paula has been an instructor and TA for SEAT 2.0 since 2018. She also supports special needs families by helping them identify and secure necessary services from medical insurance companies and Regional Centers. She has been married for over 20 years and has two children. Her youngest child has an autism diagnosis and is eligible for special education services. 

Ann Simun, Psy.D. has been working professionally with children with learning and behavioral challenges since 1989. She is a licensed psychologist (PSY20113), with a specialization in neuropsychology. She is also a credentialed and experienced School Counselor, School Psychologist, and Licensed Educational Psychologist, making her eligible to conduct IEEs for school district matters. 

Dr. Simun is a member of the American Psychological Association, National Academy of Neuropsychology, and International Neuropsychological Society. She regularly presents at conferences nationwide and provides training for school districts, parents, advocates, and nonprofit disability agencies. Dr. Simun conducts neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments, provides expert witness and consultation services, conducts formal observations, and teaches psychoeducational assessment at the graduate level.

Bonnie’s journey in advocacy began when her own child entered the public school system in 2011, and she learned they were in need of special education supports and services. It quickly became apparent the special education system is complex, and she embarked on a personal journey to learn as much as possible about navigating it, to ensure her child received the supports and services they needed to succeed, and that their rights were being honored by the education system.

In 2018 she became a member of COPAA, completed their series of SEAT courses, and today she is a teaching assistant and instructor for COPAA’s SEAT program, continuing her journey by teaching others to advocate for special education students across the country.
She has worked with schools in Nevada and California to advocate for student needs and has gained a wealth of experience working with teachers and administrators not only as an advocate and parent, but as PTA President, school site council member, founding board
member of her school district’s first education foundation and currently sits on the Washoe County School District Superintendent’s Special Education Family Action Committee.

Bonnie also holds a BS in Business Administration, an MBA, and spent 10 years working in brand and corporate marketing before transitioning to a new role of parenting in 2006.

Dr. Crumm is a longtime COPAA board member who leads COPAA's curriculum advisory group and is as a Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) 2.0 instructor.  Eileen works as the Executive Director of a nonprofit in northern California that serves families of children with developmental delays, disabilities, social emotional concerns and special health care needs.  Eileen and the multicultural, multilingual peer parent staff work with about 2500 families a year,  helping with community services including IEPs and IFSPs.   Eileen participates in Family Voices of California, Help Me Grow Alameda County and the Family Resource Center Network of California.   She has worked for the local Parent Training and Information Center (DREDF), as a special education advocate in private practice, and as a university professor.  Eileen is the proud parent of two young adults, one with physical disabilities.

Shemica is an instructor for COPAA's BSEAT, SEAT 2.0, The Business of Special Education Advocacy, and also works as a TA. She is also the founder of a Special Education advocacy business called Personalized Learning Solutions. Shemica began her teaching career in 2000 teaching cardiac education classes in two cardiac rehabilitation programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.  She kept advancing her career in the area of Special Education after she received her Principal certification and later gained experience as a Lead Case Manager/Response to Intervention Coordinator at a middle school in Crowley ISD, Special Education Team Lead at a high school in McKinney ISD, and Vocational Adjustment Coordinator in Garland ISD. She also has experience as a Content Mastery Teacher, Homebound Teacher, and In Home Trainer. Shemica has completed the Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) 2.0 training through the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) which is a nationally developed and recognized year-long course that will help her better serve current and future clients.  She has attended hundreds of ARD/IEP, 504, and Student Support Team (SST) meetings. Shemica also has extensive training in facilitating Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD)/IEP committee meetings which requires effective  communication, problem solving, decision making, and conflict resolution.

David Beinke, former Director of Advocacy with the Cirkiel Law Group from 97-2021, now Advocate Nomad, provides a unique brand of support for children with disabilities and fellow advocates in their educational and community environment in the state of Texas and beyond in his “ Hotel Prius” After serving in the Marines, his career path started when he began working at Denton State School in 1977 in the Texas mental health/intellectual disability system.

David helps families in all areas of IDEA, as well as entitlement and benefits such as State VR, SSA, Medicaid Waiver Program, etc. As a musician, he frequents the various summer musical venues in the Central Texas area as a drummer. He is a long-time COPAA member, co-chair of the COPAA Advocate Committee, TOPAA Board member, and former COPAA Board of Directors sitting member.

Barbara J. Ebenstein, Esq. is an attorney whose law practice focuses on the representation of parents in special education and disability matters in New York State. Barbara is an adjunct associate professor at New York University where she teaches the graduate course in Education Law.  BJ served as a member of the Disability Policy Committee of the presidential campaign of Barack Obama, and she served as one of the surrogates speaking on disability issues on behalf of the campaign.  She also serves as an impartial hearing officer in New York City and Long Island, and as a Vocational Rehabilitation hearing officer in New York State. Barbara has extensive experience conducting CLE for attorneys and workshops for parents, advocates, school personnel, physicians, and other professionals from Hawaii to New Hampshire.  She served as the lead instructor for the New York pilot site of the federally funded SEAT Project (Special Education Advocacy Training) and she served as an attorney skills trainer for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).  Barbara has authored articles on special education law from the parents’ perspective for numerous national publications.  She served as Chair of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) from 2005 to 2006. Barbara J. Ebenstein holds a J.D. from Pace University Law School, a M.A. in Educ

Amy K. Bonn is a consulting attorney withCOPAA. She is also an attorney with the Law Office of Amy K. Bonn, LLC, whereshe represents families of children with disabilities in special education anddisability discrimination matters in Nebraska. She is a proud parent ofchildren with developmental disabilities. Amy frequently presents on legalissues pertaining to special education, Section 504, and the Americans withDisabilities Act before audience of families, lawyers, and supportprofessionals, and she has published articles on special education law andadvocacy.

As a military spouse of over 20 years,Amy is particularly passionate about advocating for military-connected childrenwith disabilities. She serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the Arc ofNebraska. She received her law degree summa cum laude from Creighton University Schoolof Law, an M.A. in English from the University of Pittsburgh, and a B.A. inEnglish from Oglethorpe University. She also completed a ten-month traineeshipin disability advocacy and leadership at the University Center for Excellencein Developmental Disabilities at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Sheis currently an adjunct legal research and writing instructor at CreightonUniversity School of Law.

Lorraine Bees (OH) started Lorraine Bees Advocacy, LLC in order to assist families to improve the educational experience and outcome for children with special needs and to empower parents to become effective advocates. Beginning in 2008, she began providing services to families in Northeastern Ohio centering on navigating and working through the special education process, assisting families to secure Medicaid and Developmental Disability (DD) services and to set up home-based programs. 

Lorraine participates in various training sessions for small groups and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Special Education Conferences. She is a teaching assistant and instructor for COPAA’s Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) program and a presenter for COPAA conferences and Webinar series. In 2012-2013, she served as Board Member and Treasurer of Disability Rights Ohio. She also served as a Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities Transition Task Force member ensuring the smooth transition of county workshops, community employment services and adult day services to private providers.

Lorraine has two adult children, one of which has multiple and severe challenges.  She received an MBA from Case Western Reserve University in 1993. She worked 12 years as a project manager and department head in various small and large corporations prior to turning her attention to her family and the business of Special Education Advocacy.

Paula Senigar (CA) is a Special Education Advocate who has helped hundreds of families to navigate the complexities of Special Education. Paula has been an instructor and TA for SEAT 2.0 since 2018. She also supports special needs families by helping them identify and secure necessary services from medical insurance companies and Regional Centers. She has been married for over 20 years and has two children. Her youngest child has an autism diagnosis and is eligible for special education services. 

Bonnie’s journey in advocacy began when her own child entered the public school system in 2011, and she learned they were in need of special education supports and services. It quickly became apparent the special education system is complex, and she embarked on a personal journey to learn as much as possible about navigating it, to ensure her child received the supports and services they needed to succeed, and that their rights were being honored by the education system.

In 2018 she became a member of COPAA, completed their series of SEAT courses, and today she is a teaching assistant and instructor for COPAA’s SEAT program, continuing her journey by teaching others to advocate for special education students across the country.
She has worked with schools in Nevada and California to advocate for student needs and has gained a wealth of experience working with teachers and administrators not only as an advocate and parent, but as PTA President, school site council member, founding board
member of her school district’s first education foundation and currently sits on the Washoe County School District Superintendent’s Special Education Family Action Committee.

Bonnie also holds a BS in Business Administration, an MBA, and spent 10 years working in brand and corporate marketing before transitioning to a new role of parenting in 2006.

Karsan Witcher (MD) has over 15 years of experience in the field of special education advocacy. She began by providing pro bono services and later established Witcher Advocacy, LLC, which has been serving families for over a decade.  She currently provides advocacy services to families throughout the state of Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and has become an integral part of the COPAA SEAT 2.0 training team.

Karsan is a senior advocate with a high degree of knowledge in special education law and history of working with attorneys, support and advocacy groups, and parents has created impact within her community and state. She has also contributed at the legislative level impacting state and local policy and regulation. 

Karsan is the spouse of a combat veteran and mother to four uniquely talented children. She is currently establishing a non-profit organization to bring more robust services and independent living for young adults transitioning out of school-based services.

Shemica is an instructor for COPAA's BSEAT, SEAT 2.0, The Business of Special Education Advocacy, and also works as a TA. She is also the founder of a Special Education advocacy business called Personalized Learning Solutions. Shemica began her teaching career in 2000 teaching cardiac education classes in two cardiac rehabilitation programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.  She kept advancing her career in the area of Special Education after she received her Principal certification and later gained experience as a Lead Case Manager/Response to Intervention Coordinator at a middle school in Crowley ISD, Special Education Team Lead at a high school in McKinney ISD, and Vocational Adjustment Coordinator in Garland ISD. She also has experience as a Content Mastery Teacher, Homebound Teacher, and In Home Trainer. Shemica has completed the Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) 2.0 training through the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) which is a nationally developed and recognized year-long course that will help her better serve current and future clients.  She has attended hundreds of ARD/IEP, 504, and Student Support Team (SST) meetings. Shemica also has extensive training in facilitating Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD)/IEP committee meetings which requires effective  communication, problem solving, decision making, and conflict resolution.

As a parent of special needs children, David understands and appreciates all of the difficulties parent’s face as they try and navigate the special education maze.  David formed Parent Support Arizona to ensure parents have a local resource and the tools they need to ensure their children’s educational needs are met. Over the past few years, David has sought administrative remedies through the State Department of Education, Office of Administrative Hearings OCR and FERPA.  David uses these experiences to provide civil rights advocacy, educational advocacy, parent training and represent parents in IDEA due process hearings in the State of Arizona.  In addition he offers self-help tools and resources that allow parents to advocate for themselves and on an equal footing with schools as they advocate for their children’s rights. 

Dr. Crumm is a longtime COPAA board member who leads COPAA's curriculum advisory group and is as a Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) 2.0 instructor.  Eileen works as the Executive Director of a nonprofit in northern California that serves families of children with developmental delays, disabilities, social emotional concerns and special health care needs.  Eileen and the multicultural, multilingual peer parent staff work with about 2500 families a year,  helping with community services including IEPs and IFSPs.   Eileen participates in Family Voices of California, Help Me Grow Alameda County and the Family Resource Center Network of California.   She has worked for the local Parent Training and Information Center (DREDF), as a special education advocate in private practice, and as a university professor.  Eileen is the proud parent of two young adults, one with physical disabilities.

Amy K. Bonn is a consulting attorney withCOPAA. She is also an attorney with the Law Office of Amy K. Bonn, LLC, whereshe represents families of children with disabilities in special education anddisability discrimination matters in Nebraska. She is a proud parent ofchildren with developmental disabilities. Amy frequently presents on legalissues pertaining to special education, Section 504, and the Americans withDisabilities Act before audience of families, lawyers, and supportprofessionals, and she has published articles on special education law andadvocacy.

As a military spouse of over 20 years,Amy is particularly passionate about advocating for military-connected childrenwith disabilities. She serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the Arc ofNebraska. She received her law degree summa cum laude from Creighton University Schoolof Law, an M.A. in English from the University of Pittsburgh, and a B.A. inEnglish from Oglethorpe University. She also completed a ten-month traineeshipin disability advocacy and leadership at the University Center for Excellencein Developmental Disabilities at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Sheis currently an adjunct legal research and writing instructor at CreightonUniversity School of Law.

Paula Senigar (CA) is a Special Education Advocate who has helped hundreds of families to navigate the complexities of Special Education. Paula has been an instructor and TA for SEAT 2.0 since 2018. She also supports special needs families by helping them identify and secure necessary services from medical insurance companies and Regional Centers. She has been married for over 20 years and has two children. Her youngest child has an autism diagnosis and is eligible for special education services. 

Lorraine Bees (OH) started Lorraine Bees Advocacy, LLC in order to assist families to improve the educational experience and outcome for children with special needs and to empower parents to become effective advocates. Beginning in 2008, she began providing services to families in Northeastern Ohio centering on navigating and working through the special education process, assisting families to secure Medicaid and Developmental Disability (DD) services and to set up home-based programs. 

Lorraine participates in various training sessions for small groups and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Special Education Conferences. She is a teaching assistant and instructor for COPAA’s Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) program and a presenter for COPAA conferences and Webinar series. In 2012-2013, she served as Board Member and Treasurer of Disability Rights Ohio. She also served as a Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities Transition Task Force member ensuring the smooth transition of county workshops, community employment services and adult day services to private providers.

Lorraine has two adult children, one of which has multiple and severe challenges.  She received an MBA from Case Western Reserve University in 1993. She worked 12 years as a project manager and department head in various small and large corporations prior to turning her attention to her family and the business of Special Education Advocacy.

Bonnie’s journey in advocacy began when her own child entered the public school system in 2011, and she learned they were in need of special education supports and services. It quickly became apparent the special education system is complex, and she embarked on a personal journey to learn as much as possible about navigating it, to ensure her child received the supports and services they needed to succeed, and that their rights were being honored by the education system.

In 2018 she became a member of COPAA, completed their series of SEAT courses, and today she is a teaching assistant and instructor for COPAA’s SEAT program, continuing her journey by teaching others to advocate for special education students across the country.
She has worked with schools in Nevada and California to advocate for student needs and has gained a wealth of experience working with teachers and administrators not only as an advocate and parent, but as PTA President, school site council member, founding board
member of her school district’s first education foundation and currently sits on the Washoe County School District Superintendent’s Special Education Family Action Committee.

Bonnie also holds a BS in Business Administration, an MBA, and spent 10 years working in brand and corporate marketing before transitioning to a new role of parenting in 2006.

Karsan Witcher (MD) has over 15 years of experience in the field of special education advocacy. She began by providing pro bono services and later established Witcher Advocacy, LLC, which has been serving families for over a decade.  She currently provides advocacy services to families throughout the state of Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and has become an integral part of the COPAA SEAT 2.0 training team.

Karsan is a senior advocate with a high degree of knowledge in special education law and history of working with attorneys, support and advocacy groups, and parents has created impact within her community and state. She has also contributed at the legislative level impacting state and local policy and regulation. 

Karsan is the spouse of a combat veteran and mother to four uniquely talented children. She is currently establishing a non-profit organization to bring more robust services and independent living for young adults transitioning out of school-based services.