MY STORY

I am a native Californian and proud UCLA graduate. I spent 11 years working for the Los Angeles Unified School District and during that time I received highly specialized training in literacy, the arts and addressing the needs of second language learners.

I am the mother of two neurodiverse children, a writer, sometimes an advocate and a themed party enthusiast. I’m always on the PTA because I like watching other supermoms and learning from the best. I sign my family up for everything because I’m a believer in doing hard things even when the world says you can’t. I think deeply about working again in education, writing children’s books, and supporting neurodiverse families. I always give back to the most vulnerable because we’re all only one or two steps away from desperation. I speak openly about supporting my own mental health needs and caring for myself due to my own crashes physically and emotionally.

I am a Serbian Orthodox Christian who loves Christ and believes in serving others even when you happen to need the most help. My family is my beginning and my end and I focus on teaching them resilience and to chase after their futures with courage and hope.

Though most of my writing centers around special needs parenting in general, I see a need for massive educational reform and hope to be a part of the solution in the future. In my dreams I imagine starting the perfect school for kids like my own where every child is successful and loves learning.

I adore storytelling and sharing struggles and I want my children to know that it’s always ok to speak your truth even if it’s difficult for others to read it. Our truth is our way of repairing the soul and we have to express, own our mistakes and reflect on ways to move forward if we strive to do better than previous generations. The words we leave behind are a snapshot of the lessons we have learned. My kids have been my most influential teachers and are my greatest legacy.

For the last two years, Pilates has been my go to form of exercise. I am happiest when I get to take a road trip or a vacation with my family and it brings me tremendous joy to see my children learning new things and meeting great people. My retirement dream is to take long walks with my husband and to buy a golf cart.

MY VISION

I write to educate and to offer myself a temporary escape from mothering and advocating for my very capable and talented, neurodiverse family. I passionately describe the most fatiguing hurdles in education. I prioritize sharing stories of resilience with families who wrestle with the educational system and the challenges that accompany neurodiversity. My experience as a Teacher helps me relate to and troubleshoot obstacles in special education . I work to inspire change and to eliminate stigmas about children and adults who learn differently. That also means writing about the truth even when it hurts. Someday I hope to see my own children’s books in a bookstore.