Kaye Vance, Glendale, WI

Name: Kaye K. Vance

Location: Statewide.

My core principle is that every meeting, whether IEP or Mediation, centers on the student.

As a former special education teacher, I understand an educator’s perspective and their desire to support and help their students learn. As a step-parent to a now adult multi-handicapped child and having another close family member with autism, I empathize with parents and the deep care and concern for their children, including the challenge of preparing for and navigating adulthood.

I have successfully resolved hundreds of educational disputes through mediation and facilitation, customizing each process to fit the specific needs of the individual student.

My Approach to Mediation and Facilitation​:

Mediation, Just by agreeing to mediate you have taken a crucial step towards resolution.  Mediations work best when the parties are willing to work together. My role as a mediator begins prior to the actual mediation session.  I work with both parties separately to be ready to collaboratively problem solve when we are all together.

Mediation provides a confidential focused environment for in-depth discussions about a student’s educational needs. I try to guide the parties to a point where forward movement can continue after the mediation. Frequently, this involves development of an effective communication plan.

IEP Facilitation​ differs from mediation in that the IEP is a structured framework. To better facilitate the meeting within the IEP guidelines, I talk with the parties to identify priorities, encourage collaboration and guide the meeting to completion in a timely manner.

Background and Experience in Special Education
Extensive experience as a Special Education Classroom Teacher, Program Support Teacher, Supervisor, Assistant Director of Special Education, Attorney representing both parents and schools, Sec. 504 Impartial Hearing Officer, Impartial Due Process IDEA Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and University Instructor in education law, both special  and regular.

Education
Law Degree (Marquette University), Master’s Degree in Special Education (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Education Certifications, Mediation and alternative dispute resolution certificate (Marquette), Guardian Ad Litem training, Annual mediation training (WSEMS), Continued virtual learning in Spanish (University of Milwaukee), Training in virtual mediations and meetings.

Cultural Immersion
Spent extended periods in a Spanish Immersion Program, living with a Costa Rican family and learned the importance of cultural understanding and the universal desires of parents for their children’s well-being.