Maria Giancotti

When parents of special needs children or different learners are not sure how to get their child the right support at school, it’s not uncommon for them to feel frustrated, unheard, and confused about what to do. I support parents in these situations by providing representation, guidance, and education about the special education process. I fight for what their child needs at school and do all I can to ensure they have appropriate services, specialized instruction, and accommodations to succeed. My greatest passion is empowering parents, so they advocate confidently and independently.
My educational background consists of a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and Communications from Western Michigan University, in addition to a Master of Education degree from Xavier University. My advocacy journey started 10 years ago when my own child was placed on an IEP. After advocating as a parent for years and studying special education law independently, I completed comprehensive training through COPAA (Counsel of Parents Advocates and Attorneys) and later founded Student Advocacy Michigan in 2021. My business currently serves all of Michigan and I have expansion plans to hire additional advocates and provide services in Florida later this year.
Outside of the office, I am a single parent and spend a lot of time on the baseball field. I enjoy traveling (my favorite place is Italy so I can speak Italian and eat pasta), fitness, cooking and spending time with family and friends. I also take time to meet with legislators and education stakeholders in Michigan to try and improve the special education system for all families and support other organizations involved with the special needs community.