TED SCOTT-SMITH
SPECIAL EDUCATION
CONSULTING & ADVOCACY
Real help and practical solutions for real-life special education challenges. IEPs, behavior strategies, advocacy, and school communication. I’m a seasoned educator with 20 years of public school experience, offering IEP coaching, virtual support, and honest guidance that gets results. I help families navigate the system with clear problem-solving and real tools. Based in San Francisco, serving families nationwide.
My Story
I’ve spent close to two decades inside classrooms and conference rooms solving real problems for real students. I’ve taught in public schools, led IEP teams, managed caseloads, and consulted for curriculum developers and ed-tech companies whose tools are being used in classrooms today. I’ve trained other teachers at the district level on how to implement curriculum with best practices in a major urban district, making sure what gets rolled out actually helps students.
I’ve also worked alongside many advocates over the years, so I know how teachers and administrators tend to think and operate. My approach is not adversarial. Because I’ve been on the inside, I understand how to collaborate in a way that gets schools to engage instead of shut down. That means families I work with often get more traction and stronger results.
I’m also a father of children with IEPs, so I know how it feels to sit on the parent side of the table. Every family is different. Every child is different. I keep my practice small so I can dig into the details and deliver problem solving that fits your exact situation.When you reach out, I’m the one reading the files, writing the emails, and moving things forward.
Who I Work With
Families at any stage of the special education process. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in it, I help you get clarity, spot what’s missing, and take meaningful action.
If you’re feeling stuck, dismissed, or overwhelmed, I help you move forward with a real plan and steady support.
My Services
Hourly Support
Direct help when you need it
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IEP or evaluation review
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School meeting prep
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Advocacy and support crafting collaborative, school-friendly communication using insider knowledge of how districts work
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Home or school consults focused on academics, communication, or behavior
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Strategy session for focus, resources, and next steps
$150/hr
No commitment. Book only what you need.
Monthly Retainer
Ongoing advocacy and coaching
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Trial Month — $750
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Three-Month Plan — $2,000
Included:
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One sixty minute session or two shorter check ins each month
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Ongoing IEP advocacy, including virtual attendance at one meeting if needed
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Review of documents, evaluations, and emails
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Written communication drafted for you
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Help with behavior planning, instructional strategy, and school relationships
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Problem solving for school and home
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Quick turnaround when something urgent comes up
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A shared tracker so everything stays organized
This is not a firm. This is one to one work with someone who knows how the system works and how to make it move.
If support needs go beyond what’s included in your retainer, additional time will be billed at the hourly rate.
What Sets This Apart
Real classroom and case management experience
Most advocates have only taught for a few years, if at all. I’ve spent nearly twenty years actually teaching, advocating for students, running IEPs, managing caseloads, and helping over 200 families navigate real challenges. I’ve tutored in public and private settings, consulted for national education companies, and trained other teachers at the district level on how to use curriculum with top tier best practices.
Solutions beyond the meeting
This isn’t just about showing up at the table. I help you manage what’s happening in real time, at school and at home. That includes behavior, instruction, communication issues, and long term planning. I offer strategies and resources that work where it counts: in the classroom and in your living room. Because I’ve been a teacher and case manager, I understand how schools function and how teams make decisions. I’ve worked alongside many advocates and now offer that same level of consistent, real world advocacy to the families I support. My style is collaborative, not confrontational, and that often makes a real difference in how schools respond.
Small caseload on purpose
I take on a limited number of families at a time. That means faster responses, more attention to detail, and support that sticks through the whole process.
What Parents Say
Let me know how I can help.
Note: I’m not an attorney and don’t offer legal advice, but I stay current on special education law and use it to guide families through the process.