Julia Anderson is the founder of People First Consultants.

Julia began her passion for working with people of different abilities in high school.  She graduated from ASU with her degree in Special Education in 1999 and has worked with young adults wanting to be active  members of their communities ever since.   She started her career in Tolleson Union High School District as their Youth Transition Program Coordinator.  She left to follow her passion for inclusive practices and to start the transition programming for Deer Valley Unified School District.  After 10 years with Deer Valley, she is now with West-MEC as the Project SEARCH Coordinator, a position which she has held since 2013.

 Julia has been an advocate of inclusive practices and has worked closely with students, families, schools and community to ensure appropriate policies and procedures.

Her expertise includes

•Transition planning

•IEP Support

•Career Development/Job Placement

•Navigating Outside Agencies

•Determining Services Needed

•IEP compliance

•Understanding of ADA, IDEA, and 504

•Behavioral Plans

•Staff Development

•Overall being an Advocate

My name is Chelsey Gleason and I am a 31 year old mother of two. I have spent the past nine years teaching special education in the State of Arizona where I had the opportunity to work with amazing students, families, and colleagues. Through my years of teaching and working with families, I realized there is a need for more collaboration between schools, families, and community resources. Now, as an advocate, I work to ensure that families and individuals with varying abilities have accesses to resources in their schools, neighborhoods, and community. I help families navigate what the state has to offer, what educational opportunities are available, and how to accesses them.

 

My journey in special education started nearly 31 years ago when I was diagnosed with Albinism and identified as being legally blind at just a few months old. I was lucky enough to receive services as early as infancy and throughout my entire education. I have navigated the system both as a person with a disability, and as an educator. Having a disability has given me insight and perspective on what each student is dealing with. As a result I am able to share my experience and empathize with the individuals, and families I work with. My professional knowledge of writing IEP's (Individualized Education Plans), lesson planning, creating and providing accommodations/modifications in the general education classroom, provides me with the tools needed to guide and assist families through the school system.