Today we’d like to introduce you to Jana Stokes.
Hi Jana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Jana Stokes: Championing Education and Advocacy for All Children
As a mother, educator, and tireless advocate, Jana Stokes has dedicated her life to ensuring that every child, particularly those with special needs, receives the education and support they deserve. Her journey from a concerned mother of a preemie to a fierce advocate for children’s educational rights is both inspiring and transformative. This is how “Ryan’s Gifts of Advocacy, Inc” and “Special Education Advocacy and Consulting, LLC was born.
A Life-Changing Experience
Jana’s advocacy began in the most personal of ways. At just 26 weeks gestation, she gave birth to a baby girl who weighed only 1lb 9oz. Despite the odds, her daughter survived but faced numerous challenges, including several intestinal surgeries that contributed to developmental delays. With every milestone, Jana’s determination grew. She found herself learning every aspect of childhood development, not just to support her daughter but to ensure that she was receiving the proper care, education, and accommodations.
“I learned every milestone from birth to the age of nine,” Jana recalls. “It wasn’t just about the milestones themselves, but understanding the deeper educational and developmental needs behind each one.”
Transitioning from Educator to Advocate
With a background in education and counseling, Jana initially approached her daughter’s challenges from a position of knowledge. She holds four degrees, including certifications in special education, but it was her personal experiences that drove her to further specialize in advocating for children with disabilities. She began attending meetings where she often found herself correcting educators and administrators who were either unaware of, or unwilling to acknowledge, the unique needs of her daughter.
“That’s when I became a ‘mommie bulldog,’” Jana says. “I was no longer just a mom; I was the advocate. I used the law, including the Individual Disability Education Act (IDEA) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), to make sure my daughter’s needs were met.”
Her determination didn’t stop at correcting individual teachers or administrators; it led to broader systemic changes. Jana became a driving force in improving educational opportunities, not just for her daughter, but for all children. She fought to add a bus to the route on Lenox Road, ensuring better transportation for students with special needs. She also advocated for smaller class sizes and a more inclusive curriculum at her daughter’s school.
A Family Legacy of Advocacy
My passion for education and advocacy is rooted in my family history. Coming from a lineage of educators and civil rights leaders, I understood the significance of standing up for what’s right. It wasn’t just about fighting for my daughter—it was about fighting for all children, especially those whose voices often go unheard.
“Growing up, I saw my family use education as a tool for change,” and “When you come from a background like that, you realize that the purpose of education isn’t just to teach facts—it’s to empower people and create a more equitable society.”
Expanding the Advocacy
What began as a fight for my daughter’s education soon blossomed into a broader advocacy effort. My work in special education expanded into business advocacy, where she worked to create both for-profit and non-profit organizations that focus on providing support to foster children and homeless children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans. Through her advocacy, I addressed key issues such as homelessness, special education rights, and the need for stronger school-parent partnerships.
“I’ve learned that parents have an irreplaceable role in their children’s education,” Jana says. “We’re not just passive recipients of information—we need to actively engage in the conversation, advocate for policies that work, and push for systemic changes that benefit all students.”
Strategies for Parent Advocacy
My advocacy isn’t just about speaking at school board meetings or pushing for policy changes. She also believes in empowering parents to take charge of their children’s education, helping them to become informed, active participants in their child’s educational journey.
“Parents are the best advocates for their children,” I always say. “The first step is understanding your child’s needs and the educational framework that should support them. That means familiarizing yourself with laws like IDEA, building relationships with school staff, and even connecting with politicians or school administrators who can help drive change.”
Advocacy also emphasizes the importance of building networks with other parents, forming alliances that can support each other’s advocacy efforts. And just as importantly, Jana encourages parents to help their children become their own advocates. “When kids learn to advocate for themselves, they’re not just prepared for school—they’re prepared for life,” she says.
A Vision for the Future
My advocacy efforts continue to evolve. The ultimate goal is to improve educational policies that affect vulnerable children, particularly those who are homeless or in foster care, by ensuring they have the tools, resources, and support needed to succeed in school. She envisions a world where schools aren’t just institutions for learning but inclusive environments where every student, regardless of their background or challenges, can thrive.
“I want to see policies that address homelessness, disability, and special education more comprehensively,” and “By strengthening the relationship between schools and parents, we can create a more collaborative, trusting environment that helps children succeed.”
The Power of Parent Advocacy
Jana Stokes’ journey from a worried mother to a national advocate is a testament to the power of parental involvement in education. My story reminds us that parents are often the first line of defense when it comes to ensuring that children, especially those with special needs, receive the best education possible. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, Jana is making an indelible mark on the world of education, one child at a time.
As she continues to fight for systemic change, her message remains clear: Parents are essential advocates in shaping a better future for our children.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My obstacles is not being able to service the homeless community for educational services as much as I would like. I need more grants to train more advocates to assist this community. They not only need an IEP or 504 plan, this community needs mental health assistance.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Special Education Advocacy and Consulting, LLC?
I am a self taught advocate who changed her career due to her daughter, I specialize IDEA and catering a curriculum or blueprint for each child. Also, I change tears to smiles because I have been in their shoes.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I have taken many risk standing up for my daughter petitioning with a sign beside the road or going viral at a board meeting. While removing administrators is not something I am comfortable doing, but when it is a detriment to the child it is warranted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seac.company/
- Instagram: seac_consult
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SEAC.Consult
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/?trk=guest_homepage-basic_nav-header-signin
- Twitter: https://x.com/seac_consult
- Youtube: @janastokes5487
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatadvocate_
