WHAT PEOPLE
“My son has a contagious zest for life, but that energy doesn’t always fit neatly into a traditional classroom setting. As a former educator, I believed I’d be able to navigate the special education system with confidence and advocate effectively for my son. But things quickly began to unravel. We felt disconnected from the school team, and despite frequent phone calls and growing concerns, it was clear my son wasn’t receiving the support he truly needed. It took a toll on our entire family. We were overwhelmed, exhausted, and heartbroken—not knowing how to help our son in the way he deserved.
Then someone recommended Marni, and everything changed.
From our very first conversation, Marni made me feel seen and heard. She never rushed our calls, always took the time to listen, and—most importantly—never judged. Instead, she encouraged me, empowered me, and reminded me of my strength as a parent. Not long after Marni came on board, the school district threw a major curveball. She jumped into action immediately, advocating fiercely while always checking in to make sure we were comfortable with each step. Navigating the school system can be incredibly tricky—trying to preserve positive relationships while still standing up for your child’s needs. Marni guided us through that delicate balance with compassion, clarity, and confidence. Today, we have a strong, collaborative relationship with the school. My son is finally receiving the support he needs, and I can tell the team truly understands what makes him tick. Where I used to dread IEP meetings, I now walk into them with confidence—knowing Marni is in our corner. She didn’t just help our son—she helped restore peace in our home. We’ll forever be grateful for the incredible difference she’s made.”
— BR (Parent)
“Marni’s advocacy of our daughter, Emma, is unmatched.
Emma is an incoming 8th grader with the diagnosis of Down Syndrome. We hired Marni to work with us and her team when she was in fourth grade and we could not have made a better decision. Marni brings families and schools together when it comes to making decisions that are best for the student. She is empathetic and passionate; detailed and driven. She is an incredible communicator and passionate advocate. To say we are lucky to have her is an understatement!”
— THE DeLUGAS (Parents)
“As a parent of a child who has special needs, I highly recommend North Shore Special Ed Consultants.
After encountering a team of high school administrators who were extremely reluctant to offer 504 accommodations to someone with a proven history of need, I teamed with Marni Johnson, whose vast experience, deep knowledge, and artful diplomacy reversed the course and secured the provisions we needed for our daughter. Marni and her team share an obvious passion for kids and educational fairness, and work from a first-hand knowledge of school resources and the law to create bridges, understandings, and solutions between school officials and families. When Marni came to our aid, she took the time to thoroughly trace the history of our situation, met with us and reviewed our daughter’s records, and attended our 504 meetings to interact directly with the school administrators as our advocate. I am eternally grateful for her care, friendship, and assistance; my daughter has thrived and improved in school as a direct result.”
— JACK B. (Parent)
“I am very grateful to Marni for her outstanding work as my child's educational advocate.
Marni is professional, honest, and very knowledgeable about special education regulations. She listens with compassion and answers all your questions at a level that is easy to understand. She helps you navigate the laws for IEP's and other services, and assists you through the meetings with your child's school so that your child can have the proper support and what is rightfully deserved. She is not only extremely fair, but she also teaches you, as the parent, how to navigate and advocate for your child in the future. She helps create a collaborative relationship between your child's school and your family. When school isn't easy for your child, it can be difficult to understand how to advocate for help from the school. My teenager might not have graduated from high school if not for the great work and support Marni gave to our family. I highly recommend Marni Johnson as your child's advocate. She will help you set your child up for success in school!”
— SUE O.
“I can’t thank Marni ENOUGH for her immeasurable help when we were having some trouble with our 2nd grade son at school.
Finding out your child has a special need is never easy for any parent. Marni helped me understand that it was okay and showed us, step by step, how to get him the proper help so he can succeed in school. Now our son is thriving because we have placed him with the right supports and plans to help him feel like the rest of the kids at school. We highly recommend Marni to anyone who is seeking help and advocacy for their children through the school system. With her extensive background knowledge and experience, there’s no one else with whom I’d trust to go on this journey.”
— SU LAM