Exciting Times! Welcome to Mary Beth and Joelle.

After close to 20 years of working independently, I’ve found collaborators that share my approach to testing and supporting students across settings. I’m thrilled to introduce Mary Beth Bechtel, M.A. and Joelle Spencer, Ph.D. to In It 4 Kids. I’ve known and collaborated with both of these women for years and am honored that both have chosen to join me.

When we met, Mary Beth was working for a public school district in Virginia. We often spoke about kids we were working with (without sharing confidential information) in an effort to get another perspective. We sought to clarify kids’ complex profiles to provide better, more actionable recommendations. It was clear that we both valued the quantitative data from assessments, but also ALWAYS attended to and thought through how youngsters achieved those scores and how that mattered. Our conversations were animated and productive. You can learn more about Mary Beth here.

Joelle and I met in a very different way. She was the Director of Special Education and I was the private evaluator presenting data, clinical diagnoses, and my perspective of the youngsters’ vulnerabilities. Each time we were in meetings or on calls, we sought common ground with the students’ needs at the forefront of the conversation. These interactions can easily become contentious or uncomfortable, but Joelle’s professionalism enabled teams to create formal plans when school-based criteria were met and also worked with staff to support youngsters who were not considered eligible for Special Education. I was so honored when she asked if I would consider having her join my practice; I immediately and enthusiastically said yes. You can learn more about Joelle’s background here.

I’m thrilled to welcome Mary Beth and Joelle to my practice!