Charmaine Thaner

Charmaine Thaner has been called a change–maker by parents, teachers, administrators and students. Her 30+ years of advocacy have changed her son, Dylan’s life and thousands of students with disabilities so they may have richer, more inclusive lives.

She was a special educator for 15 years, then became a general educator for 15 years and throughout her teaching career was committed to including students that were traditionally marginalized. After retiring she was the Education Specialist at PEAK Parent Center and an adjunct special education instructor at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

Charmaine founded her own advocacy business, Collaborative Special Education Advocacy and has been professionally advocating for families. She has attended countless IEP meetings, many facilitated IEP meetings and mediation sessions on behalf of students with disabilities. Her passion is to use her educational and personal perspectives to support parents and educators build collaborative relationships.

Charmaine, her husband Jim, and son Dylan have made Idaho their new home. She has been trying to achieve a balance between her professional life and enjoying three darling grandchildren. To learn more about her services, go to her website, www.cspeda.com. To see photos of her delightful grandchildren, send her a Facebook friend request.