Achieve Educational Advocacy Services is Non-Profit 501 (c) 3 organization that was parent founded and is parent operated. Our goal is to provide direct services and training to parents and work to ensure all students have access to quality education in inclusive settings that leads to a better quality of life. We serve families in the San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties and work to empower parents through knowledge and training.
Cari Edwards
Board Member
Cari is founder and parent of three school age children and a long time Tracy resident who graduated from San Jose State University. Her involvement in special education began first as an advocate for her own child. She became passionate about special education, advocacy. In 2017 she became a regional leader for Decoding Dyslexia CA a grass roots organization that advocates for Dyslexia awareness. Cari also volunteers with Community Advisory Committee (CAC), is a member of CA Transition Alliance, and a board member Northern California/East Bay Learning Disabilities Association (NCEBLDA). She attended William & Mary School of Law (ISEA) Institute of Special Education Advocacy program. She completed the COPAA SEAT 2.0 a year long special education law and advocacy training program, and SEAT 3.0. She is passionate about inclusion and equity in education. She works hard to empower parents to learn the tools to advocate for their own children.
Dr. Terry Leppien
Board Member
Dr. Leppien is founder and director of Reading Access, an educational therapy clinic, where she serves students with learning disabilities and designs reading interventions to meet each child's unique needs. She has served as an Adjunct professor and Supervisor for Special Education at National University. She holds a Masters degree in Education -Reading/Language Leadership. With over 30+ years of experience working with children experiencing learning difficulties she has published reading curriculum adopted by the state of California. She has received numerous awards for literacy and outstanding service and continues to speak at conferences and offer training to districts and professionals on literacy and reading intervention. Dr. Leppien is passionate about literacy and the success of her work in her private practice is both inspiring and commendable. She is changing the lives of kids each day with the gift of literacy and her devotion to support parents in the IEP process.
Sharelle McIntyre
Board Member
Sharelle is a Tracy resident who has four children, the youngest having special needs. Sharelle became involved in advocacy in her own battle to have her child educated in the least restrictive environment and at her local high school. Through hard work, determination and legal assistance Sharrelle was successful in finding an appropriate placement. Sharelle has worked n the Tracy Unified School district as a Para Professional for past seven years. She also volunteers on Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for San Joaquin County serving as the CAC Secretary. Sharelle enjoys helping parents understand their rights and empowering them with the tools to help their child achieve their full potential. She wants all children to experience inclusion, value and belonging in school and community.