Who we are and What We Do

Education Doulas were inspired by birth doulas. For those who don’t know what a doula is, a doula is an advocate who helps prepare parents for the delivery room. In a similar fashion, education doulas help prepare parents for the IEP table. We exist to be advocates and advisors on your behalf, walking alongside you as you navigate the system of special education—making sure your child has every tool they need to thrive.

We support and advocate for families struggling with IEPs and 504 plans. We advocate on our clients’ behalf to make sure IEPs and 504 plans are manageable and realistic, ensuring that they are detailed enough while still being flexible. We help you know your rights and understand the process of an IEP and 504 plan, helping families come up with plans that meet their child’s needs as well as their own.

Resources

  •  is a U.S. federal law that guarantees children with disabilities the right to a free, appropriate public education tailored to their individual needs through mechanisms like Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

  • a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and many public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

  •  a legal document that outlines the specialized education plan for a student with learning and cognitive disabilities. The plans created can aid the student in their learning in the least restrictive environment (LRE).

  • a legal document that provides accommodations to help students with disabilities access the general education curriculum on an equal basis with their peers, without requiring specialized instruction.

  • a core principle of IDEA requiring that students with disabilities be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, unless outlined in their IEP.

  • a guarantee under IDEA that ensures students with disabilities receive special education and related services at no cost, designed to meet their individual needs and provide meaningful educational benefit.

  • this describes a student's current skills, strengths, and needs across academic and functional areas, serving as the baseline from which goals are written. It typically includes data from assessments, teacher observations, and progress monitoring to show exactly where the student’s skills stand in the current moment.

  • a written plan with a purpose to prevent or stop misbehavior. The plan lists the problem area, why it is happening, and provides strategies and support.

IEP Meeting Checklist

504 Plan Checklist

Meet the Founder

Rebecca Munlyn founded Education Doulas for a reason she saw play out again and again: no family should have to walk the special education journey alone. For years she worked inside the school system as a special education teacher and IEP case manager in Gwinnett County, guiding families through evaluations, meetings, and the paperwork that can make the whole process feel overwhelming.

Today she brings that same insight home to families. As an Education Doula, she is the trusted companion who helps parents understand their rights, prepare for meetings, and speak up with confidence for the child they know better than anyone.

IN HER WORDS

I became a teacher because I knew every child deserves someone who believes in them. Case managing IEPs taught me that parents deserve that too.

I watched capable, loving parents & guardians leave meetings unsure of what had just been decided about their own child, and I knew there was a better way.

A doula walks alongside someone through a significant experience, offering knowledge and reassurance without ever taking over. That is what I do for families in special education. I will not replace your voice. I will help you find it, trust it, and use it.

My path as an educator, an engineer, and a coach shapes how I work: clear about the process, honest about the options, and grounded in the belief that you are the expert on your child. Whether this is your first evaluation or your tenth IEP meeting, I am here to equip you, to walk beside you, and to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

With you in every step,

Rebecca

Work With Us
A woman with glasses and curly hair holds papers in a room with large windows and a balcony view.

Rebecca Munlyn, M.Ed.

Founder  ·  Education Doulas Advocacy Services

Former Special Education Teacher & IEP Case Manager


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