Special Education Parent Liaison

Dawn Jennings

My name is Dawn Jennings and I have the privilege of being your Special Education Parent Liaison.  2023-24 is the start of my 20th year in this position and I'm always amazed at the fact that no two days are ever the same.  I might be working with a parent who has questions about Special Ed, disability-related subjects or just needs another parent to talk to.  I'm here for you!  There might be a conference or networking opportunity in our community that gives me access to more resources for our parents.  Although I don't work     directly with students, I work closely with Special Education staff and Administration providing support as needed.  

Why am I your Special Education Parent Liaison?  My story begins December 25th, 1986 with the birth of my son Sean.  The beginning was a very insane roller coaster.  My husband and I were not only new parents, but we had a child with special needs and absolutely no clue what to do.  Fast forward to 1992 when we heard the word Autism and Intellectual Developmental Disability (term used in 1992 was Mental Retardation) for the first time.  Fast forward again through Special Ed services in Colorado Springs ISD and Georgetown ISD.  Sean graduated from GHS in 2005 and was one of the first students in the 18+ program Bridges.  He is now a proud citizen working at Brookwood in Georgetown (BiG). 

LOTS of details left out, but this is the essential info.  You can believe me when I tell you "I understand", because I do.  Not only when it comes to doctors, hospitals, tests, Special Ed and services, but what it's like in the adult world of disabilities.  That's why I'm here, to guide, to listen, to support and to remind you, "you are not alone!".

Sean's brother, Brian, was born in 1989 and graduated from Sam Houston University in Dec 2017 after serving in the US Navy.  He now works for McCoy's Building Supplies.  Sean's father, Paul, is retired from Travis County Sheriff's Deptartment.  We have lived in Georgetown since 1997 and this will be our forever home as we watch BiG grow and start finding a place for Sean to live and call his own.