Meet Our Team

Meet Our Professional Special Education Advocates

All our advocates have extensive training and a solid background in the provision of special education services and support to students with disabilities.

Melissa Mangino

Owner and Special Education Advocate

Melissa is excited to help parents across the country navigate the school system, negotiate IEP & 504 plans, and consult in complex casework, including behavior and gifted. Melissa has an “insiders perspective” as an experienced district Special Education Senior Supervisor, a district Supervisor over inclusionary practices, a district-level compliance teacher, and a school-level ESE coordinator and ESE teacher. This in-depth experience serves as the foundation for her practice. The services provided are founded upon understanding and a collaborative framework rather than conflict and adversarial relations.

Melissa is the oldest of 5 children, and growing up, she served as an advocate for her brother, who was diagnosed with Aspergers at a young age. Melissa has a degree in education and is certified in Exceptional Student Education. While Melissa was obtaining her Master’s degree from Barry University, she interned as a special education teacher for students with Autism. She gained more personal experience by working so closely with students with profound disabilities. Melissa has in-depth experience in inclusionary practices, extensive knowledge of state board statutes and rules, and has developed procedures and processes based on special education best practices and legalities across the elementary, middle, and high school levels. This experience allows Melissa to be able to advocate for families who need support navigating the educational system at any level from Pre-K to FAPE 22.

By understanding and identifying with families of children with disabilities, Melissa became passionate about advocating for students in the school system and is excited to work with families in developing a mutual understanding between school and home.

Melissa can be reached directly at melissa@florida-advocate.com.

Gina is thrilled to help parents navigate and understand the complex system of special education. Since graduating from college in 2013, she has had the opportunity to learn and negotiate the complex world of special education. Gina has personally facilitated 500+ IEP meetings, 400+ Manifestation Determination Meetings, and 100+ meetings with advocate/attorney representation to resolve a variety of conflicts. Gina started her educational journey as an Exceptional Student Education Teacher in 2013 at a charter school where her love and passion for special needs students continued to grow. In 2019, Gina shifted her career from the classroom to a district-level Resolution Specialist to gain another perspective on the complex world of special education. Through this lens, she was able to help families and schools work through adversity and find a resolution to a variety of different conflicts. At a very young age, Gina met a young lady with Down’s Syndrome and formed a close friendship that continued to grow over the years. From that day on, she knew she was meant to advocate for children with disabilities. Gina has a degree in Elementary Education (K-6), Exceptional Student Education (K-12), Reading Endorsement, and ESOL Endorsement and has extensive training and exposure through internships with St. Petersburg College. Gina also obtained a certificate for successfully participating in and completing an IEP Mentorship Course in 2022. The focus of Gina’s practice is to help prepare children with disabilities across the country for further education, employment, and independent living while maintaining a collaborative approach between the school and parent. Gina strongly encourages inclusive practices while holding all students to high expectations to encourage progress toward independent living and employment. In all capacities, Gina has been able to identify with parents and build a healthy relationship for the benefit of the student. This mutual respect between parents and Gina over the years has helped hundreds of students reach their maximum potential. Gina is excited to begin working with families and students in this new capacity to continue advocating for children as she has throughout her career in special education. Gina can be reached directly at gina@florida-advocate.com.

Gina Jamieson

Special Education Advocate

Kristi Hernandez

Special Education Advocate

With a profound commitment to ensuring every child receives the education they deserve; Kristi brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as a Special Education Advocate. Her extensive career, spanning 17 years in the educational sector, uniquely positions her to navigate the complexities of special education and champion the rights of children and their families.

For six years, Kristi served as an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher. In this role, she worked directly with students who had a range of disabilities, creating tailored educational plans that addressed their unique needs. Her hands-on experience in the classroom allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs that students with special needs encounter daily. She witnessed firsthand the transformative power of personalized education, which fueled her passion for advocacy. Transitioning from teaching, Kristi dedicated the next 11 years of her career to school psychology. As a school psychologist, she conducted comprehensive evaluations, provided crucial mental health support, and collaborated with educators and parents to develop effective intervention strategies. Her expertise in psychological assessment and her nuanced understanding of educational systems have enabled her to advocate effectively for appropriate accommodations, ensuring that every child is learning environment is both inclusive and supportive.

Balancing her professional life, Kristi is also a devoted wife and mother to three young boys. Her experiences navigating the educational landscape as a parent have further enriched her perspective, strengthening her resolve to advocate for policies and practices that put children’s well-being at the forefront.

With a robust knowledge of educational laws and systems, Kristi is a formidable ally for families seeking to secure the best possible outcomes for their children. Her advocacy is driven by a simple yet powerful principle: to always do right by children. She combines her professional expertise with her personal experiences to offer a holistic, empathetic approach to special education advocacy, ensuring that every child’s right to a quality education is upheld.

Kristi stands ready to support and empower families, educators, and communities, fostering an environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential. Kristi can be reached at kristi@florida-advocate.com.

Claudia Roberts

Founder

Claudia is a parent and grandparent. Two of her adult children received special education services in school. She has advocated for children with a myriad of disabilities including ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mental Health disabilities (Bi-polar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder) and intellectual disabilities among others. But children do not fit into categories and their needs should be met by building on their strengths and personal goals. Claudia is now retired and enjoying time with her family. We thank her for the gift of advocacy she has given so many families across the state of Florida. 

Paige is delighted to be your first contact when connecting with Florida Professional Special Education Advocates. Paige graduated from Texas A&M University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in special education.

She followed by finding a passion in teaching those with severe and profound disabilities for the next 5 years in the life skills setting. Paige then spent the next 5 years as an ARD/IEP Facilitator helping students receive the appropriate support and services they needed to be successful.

Currently, Paige is working on receiving her master’s degree in special education along with an educational diagnostician’s certification.

Paige Keto

Executive Assistant