From Classroom to Capitol Hill: How One Woman is Redefining Special Education Advocacy in Pennsylvania
Dr. Kristin Meyer is on a mission to make special education advocacy more equitable and accessible across Pennsylvania.
From the Classroom to a Statewide Movement
When Dr. Kristin Meyer began her career in an Emotional Support classroom more than 15 years ago, she didn’t know her path would lead her to speak and present at the state level. Nor did she expect to mentor new special education teachers, or co-found a nonprofit changing the lives of families across Pennsylvania. But what she did know, deep in her core, was that the system needed to do better—not just for students with disabilities, but for the parents often left out of the conversation.
Today, as the Co-Founder of The REACH Group and The REACH Foundation, Kristin leads with heart and strategy, ensuring that every child, regardless of diagnosis, zip code, or financial background, has access to a meaningful, inclusive education. The REACH Group provides expert advocacy, educational consulting, parent coaching, and financial assistance through a mission rooted in honesty, education, collaboration, and commitment.
Advocacy That Starts with Access
From early evaluations to high school transitions and adult life planning, The REACH Group supports families every step of the way. But Dr. Meyer didn’t stop at direct services. In 2024, she was accepted into the prestigious Pennsylvania Education Policy Fellowship Program. This has allowed her to expand her work to include legislative advocacy and systemic reform.
She has since participated in national briefings on the future of the U.S. Department of Education, championed IDEA-mandated parent training, and is actively developing district-wide professional learning opportunities. Her mission? To reframe advocacy from confrontation to collaboration—and to position advocates as essential partners in student success.
A Mission Fueled by Experience—Not Circumstance
Her passion is personal, but not in the way most assume. Dr. Meyer is not a parent of a child with a disability. Her drive comes from years spent inside the system, witnessing families who were silenced, overlooked, or uninformed. She calls this work her true calling. An unshakable mission to ensure every child is seen, heard, and valued. And every parent has the tools to advocate with confidence.
Whether it’s helping a family secure the right placement, coaching a teacher through their first IEP meeting, or designing a scholarship campaign to close financial gaps in advocacy access, Kristin is doing the work—and doing it well.
Because when women lead with passion and purpose, they don’t just open doors. They build new ones entirely.
Find even more resources in our All Kinds of Kids Guide and Back to School Guide. Dr. Meyer is also a 2025 Main Line Parent Women of Influence Award Winner!
