About Us
I am an advocate for children with special needs, and I work with parents on all aspects of their child's education. I serve all of Hampton Roads and Eastern North Carolina.
I am a retired special education teacher. I was encouraged by former colleagues to become an advocate for children with special needs. I launched SDW Consulting in April 2014 and have served scores of parents and students since then. I have been lauded by parents, teachers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, therapists and psychologists and other professionals during that time. I regularly receive referrals from all of the aforementioned. To date, I have successfully assisted parents in getting their children appropriate special education services in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Suffolk, Smithfield, Newport News, Gloucester County, York County, Greene County, Currituck County, Elizabeth City, and Kitty Hawk.
Full service provider for parents of students with disabilities.
After I retired from teaching special education, I very quickly began to miss working with both students and parents. I knew from experience that many children with disabilities were underserved and ill-served. I was confident that I had the knowledge, expertise, and professional manner that would serve them well. I have been told in meeting after meeting by professional after professional that I offer a unique approach in student advocacy that is very welcome.
One local school official referred to me as “a breath of fresh air.” This approach has proved to be successful in helping my client’s resolve difficult situations in an amicable manner.
About Sid Wesseldine
After retiring from teaching, Sid Wesseldine has continued to serve families. Sid founded SDW Consulting to help families by sharing his knowledge, expertise, and professionalism in the special education world. Sid prides himself on ensuring every child is set up for success. He is well respected in the field and offers a unique approach for student advocacy.
In addition to his work as an advocate for children with special needs, Sid has worked tirelessly as a volunteer in the community, supporting both children and adults with special needs. He directed and was the head coach for the Virginia Rush TOPSoccer program for 15 years and was named the Virginia Rush Volunteer of the Year in 2006. He was also the TOPSoccer Committee Chairman for the Virginia Youth Soccer Association for five years and received the Virginia Youth Soccer Association Dave Williams Award for Exemplary Service to TOPSoccer. Furthermore, Sid was the Competition Director of the Soccer Skills Championship for the Virginia Special Olympics State Games for ten years. Additionally, he was named Tournament Director of the Soccer Team Competition for the Virginia Special Olympic State games in August 2021.
About Courtney Arena
Courtney Arena has been in the field of special education for over a decade. A New York native, she has taught in New York, Maryland and Virginia Beach. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Special education and a Masters Degree in Behavior, specifically Applied Behavior Analysis. She has worked with students across a variety of abilities and settings - teaching in inclusion classrooms, self contained classrooms, and worked in residential settings for children diagnosed with Autism.
After taking a break from teaching to raise her children, Courtney realized she could have a profound impact in the field of special education by becoming an advocate. Courtney has a passion for helping others and decided to take this opportunity to combine her love of children and expertise in the field of education to help families navigate the special education process. Courtney feels special education can be overwhelming and intimidating when you are unsure of all it entails. However, she strongly believes knowledge is power and hopes to become the bridge which connects families and schools to collaboratively ensure every student is successful and being served to the best of his or her abilities. She looks forward to the opportunity to help, support, and guide you and your family through the world of special education, because she believes above all- your child deserves it.
In her spare time Courtney enjoys exercising and nutrition, shopping and spending time with her husband, three children (daughter and boy/girl twins) and dog.
About Megan Poole
Megan's passion for Special Education and Individuals with Disabilities began at the age of 7 and has continued to grow through the 15 years she has dedicated to supporting students and families within the communities she has worked. Since receiving her Master's of Arts in Education from the College of William & Mary, Megan has contributed to the world of Special Education as a Teacher (self-contained, Adaptive, and Regional Special Education programming), a Program Compliance Support Teacher, and as an Instructional/Teacher Specialist. Her desire to continue to
collaborate with both professionals and families as they prioritize their students has lead her into advocacy. Megan's strong understanding of the special education process is a great asset to those navigating the waters!
Megan and her husband have two children, a five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter. They love the sunshine and spend their time together enjoying a day on the Bay, or a splash in the pool (and cheering on the Hokies during colder months!).
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