Xaviera Latta
I was born and raised in the Midlands of SC. Since I was a little girl I dreamed about being a teacher. I fulfilled that dream by graduating from Columbia College with a Bachelor's degree in Special Education and a Master of Education in Divergent Learners. I have also taken post-graduate courses in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of South Carolina.
I am happily married to the love of my life, Stuart and we have four children: Jasmine, Josie, Jacoby (forever 3), and Jaison.
I am also the co-founder and Executive Director of Jacoby's Shield, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings navigate their grief.
Accomplishments
As a certified Special Education teacher, I have taught in the public school setting for nearly two decades in Lexington District One, Newberry County and Lexington-Richland Five, where I was also an administrator as a Master Teacher. My primary area of focus as a Special Education teacher was working with students with mild to moderate disabilities at the secondary level and writing Individual Education Program plans (IEPs) for these students that were implemented in the general education setting. As a Master Teacher, I taught other teachers how to write IEPs.
In 2011, I knew that I wanted to be home with my children and to be able to homeschool them and made a faith move and began my own special education consulting firm, SMART IEP Solutions. I have been able to help many families navigate through the special education process and teach them how to advocate for their child's educational needs.
The Meaning of Education
The root of the word education is derived from Latin words Educare, Educere, and Educatum. The word educare means to nourish, to bring up. The word educere means to lead forth, to draw out. The Latin “educatum”, which itself is composed of two terms, “E” and “Duco”. ‘E’ Implies a movement from inward to outward, and “duco” means developing or progressing.
This is why we are different and are perfect for your problem!
I have the experience of teaching teachers how to write great IEPs. As a former Special Education teacher, I have insight into how Special Education teachers think, and how schools and school districts operate.
I'm now taking my expertise to help parents navigate this process, and draw out the talents that are in their child.
