Nicole M. Santiago, M. Ed.
Igniting Student Potential!
MY CREDS
Hi, I’m Nicole Santiago, M.Ed., founder and CEO of Family ADDventures, an Educational Consultancy dedicated to helping families navigate school systems with confidence. I hold a Master’s in Education from the University of Maryland, along with Special Education Law certifications from St. Mary’s University School of Law and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). As a SEAT 1 trainer with COPAA, I support others in building strong, informed advocacy for students.
All of our subcontracted advocates are members of A Day In Our Shoes Advocacy Academy, COPAA, along with TOPAA, The Texas Organization of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.
MY STORY
My eldest son absolutely hated school. He would tear up every morning and had dark circles under his eyes for most of his elementary school career. I was an educator myself, so it broke my heart to see him suffer. We attended multiple ARD/IEP meetings, and every time the school would tell me he didn’t qualify for services. But I knew there was something they were missing. I cried after many ARD meetings as a younger mom.
In 2014, we paid out of pocket for neuropsychological testing. I finally got the school on board and my son received accommodations. But he lost years of support.
Fast forward 10 years, and I now advocate hard for families with kids like mine. I know the educational rights your child has and how to request appropriate services. My advocacy and ed therapy work stems from 12 years as a classroom teacher, where I advocated to keep neurodivergent students supported in my general education classroom.
In my last two years as a teacher, I instituted the Lives in the Balance Collaborative Problem Solving Method of discipline (developed by Dr. Ross Greene). It helped me teach high school/middle school Spanish classes without using grades. I’ve also completed 40+ credits beyond my master’s degree toward certification in educational therapy. I’m trained on trauma-informed Behavior Intervention Plans and a Heart Math® Coach.
MY PROMISE
At Family ADDventures, our mission is to build your child’s confidence at home and at school, while strengthening the connection between families and school teams. Online, homeschool, public, or private, we’ll meet your child wherever they learn and create a plan that truly supports them. We’re ready when you are.
Igniting Student Potential! 