Education Consulting by Personalized Learning Solutions, LLC – Shemica S. Allen

Tell Us What You Do

Personalized Learning Solutions, LLC is an educational consulting firm. We specialize in providing special education advocacy and consultation services.

The mission of Personalized Learning Solutions is to assist parents/guardians of special needs students in their quest for a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is also covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal and state laws protecting children with disabilities.

Our mission is to building and supporting a collaborative team of parents/guardians, advocates, and school personnel.  We place an emphasis on continuous assessment of the child’s educational needs in all settings. While at the same time supporting and guiding the parents/guardians through the process.

I formed Personalized Learning Solutions, LLC for the expressed purpose of providing parents, guardians, and clients expert assistance and representation. Our goal is to help them navigate the maze of Special Education and Section 504 services in the public-school systems. We give special care and attention to parent/guardian concerns and a child’s social, emotional, and educational needs.

Tell Us Your Story and Why You Got Started in Education Consulting

After 15 years as a special education teacher and administrator in public education, 2016 saw the founding of Personalized Learning Solutions.  My job included working with students with disabilities and students who need help. I left public education in 2014 after being discouraged by many of the systems in place in public education. At the same time, I saw a need for parents to know their rights.

I began my teaching career in 2000, during which I taught cardiac education classes in two cardiac rehabilitation programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. I started subbing and teaching in public education in 2001. My first teaching position was teaching Adapted Physical Education and coaching Special Olympics in Fort Worth ISD. I later became the teacher of a self-contained Life Skills class and coached Special Olympics at a middle school in Mansfield ISD.

I kept advancing my career in the area of Special Education after receiving my Principal certification. Later I gained experience as a Lead Case Manager/Response to Intervention Coordinator at a middle school in Crowley ISD. My next role was as a Special Education Team Lead at a high school in McKinney ISD. I went on to become a Vocational Adjustment Coordinator in Garland ISD. Today I run my own education consulting business designed to help those with disabilities find employment.

Further Experience and Education

I also have experience as a Content Mastery Teacher, Homebound Teacher, and In-Home Trainer. Along with this, I completed the Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) through the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). This is a one year course that will help me better serve current and future clients.

SEAT is a year-long course whose funds come from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. SEAT gives this award to the University of Southern California’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in partnership with COPAA. I also have comprehensive training in facilitating Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meetings. This requires effective communication, problem-solving, decision making, and conflict resolution.

I went on to become a member of the Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee (SECAC) for Texas in December 2017. My job was to help make decisions that will improve Special Education in the state.  Following this, I became Co-Vice Chair of the SECAC in February 2018 and Secretary in February 2019. Lastly, I deliver consulting services and personalized learning plans to EcoEDI students with special needs. EcoEDI is a low-profit limited liability company (L3C). They make successful post-high school educational opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged students of all ages possible.

If Someone was Considering Your Education Consulting Services, What Would You Want Them to Know?

At Personalized Learning Solutions our commitment is to provide the most current development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans. Our philosophy is to work together with schools as well as parents/guardians. Our goal – to develop a mutually trusting and respectful relationship with the school so they can better serve the child.

An objective of Personalized Learning Solutions is to help parents and schools work together in the best interest of the child. What sets Personalized Learning Solutions and me apart from any other support business or special education consultant? It is that I am an expert in special education and the educational needs of special education students. Also, I have a great deal of experience working in the public school system. Many advocates know at least something about special education but may not have experience with the inner workings of school districts.

Personalized Learning Solutions does not offer legal advice. No one employed at Personalized Learning Solutions is a lawyer or practices law. No one here claims to be an expert in Special Education Law. However, we do have special knowledge about the IEP process and students with disabilities.