Education System navigation
Toronto & Gta, Ontario, Canada
Supporting you In Becoming Your Child's BEST Advocate At School!
Elise's personalized support offers thoughtful and informed guidance tailored to the unique needs of each client's situation. Providing them with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of the education system with confidence -- ultimately setting up their children for success.
Navigating school and learning issues can be confusing and challenging. It's hard to know what steps to take, who to contact, and what information you need to advocate for your child at school.
Explore the possibilities with creative outside-the-box thinking and problem-solving! I have years of experience to draw on as the parent of two young adult daughters who had special education needs while in school. Let's work together to ensure a positive educational experience for your child! Let me help you become your child's best advocate!
How I can help
Navigating the education system
Experiencing a challenging situation at school and not sure what to do next? Elise can help you explore your options and next steps.
IEP? SST? IPRC?
Confused or overwhelmed by terms such as IEP, SST, or IPRC? Elise will help clarify what these are and the relevance to your child's needs.
Policy and Resources Support
You know that something is not working out at school to meet your child's needs, but don't know why. Elise can work with you to identify the policies and other resource documents that help clarify what is not working as it should, and what is possible.
New to the School System in Ontario?
Whether you are new to Ontario or new to the public school system in Ontario, it can be confusing. I am here to help you understand how best to get your child's needs met within the system that you may be unfamiliar with.
Advocacy, research and letter writing
Following a consultation meeting, additional research, advocacy or letter writing may be needed. Elise can offer suggested resources to find needed information so that you can follow up. Or, for an additional fee, Elise can do follow up letter writing and/or research work for you.
Transitioning to Post-Secondary
Whether it's figuring out if your child should take a gap year, or apply to College or University, or help with getting accommodations in post-secondary. We can explore and strategize how to best support your child for success in the next stage of their education.
Parent support!
Let's face it - at times it can be confusing, challenging, and stressful navigating the school system. Elise has been there! She can be a sounding board to support you in your journey to becoming your child's best advocate at school, while helping you with tangible ideas and strategies for moving forward.
Click the button below to book your free discovery call!
Testimonials
Elise has been a fantastic resource for me for five years. Her knowledge of school, therapy and tutoring options has been so helpful. She has a great dedication to supporting parents and truly understands what we are going through - because she’s experienced it herself. Her help decreased my decision making stress and gave me a great sense of feeling understood.
- Lisa R, mom of 11 year old
Elise and I worked on a key project for students with special needs, at the school at which I worked. I have never seen a more detailed and efficient result. Elise has the talent to foresee any angle that may need attention and leaves nothing to chance. She is the same thorough and knowledgeable professional in her work with education, navigating the complexities of the system. With her experience working with the TDSB trustees, she has developed an added wealth of knowledge to assist parents who would benefit from guidance in navigating our system and making choices. I highly recommend Elise to accompany you through this journey.
- Robyn Ezer, Special Education Specialist - OISE
Elise was extremely helpful with the TDSB high school process and helping me advocate for my daughter at a higher level. Without her support my daughter wouldn’t have attended her first choice school.
- Aron M.
Elise was referred to me by a friend, when I was looking to move our daughter out of her current home public school. Elise’s understanding of the inner workings of the administration within the public school system is bar none. She guided us on who to contact, what to say and how to say it, our rights as parents and students, and what our options are. With Elise’s help, we were able to achieve our goals and find the right school for our daughter. I highly recommend Elise as a mentor and support when it comes to the making smart and well-informed decisions regarding your children and our education system.
- Ava W.
There was a moment where we needed to understand how the school system works. As a parent, it is difficult to know your rights and navigate the bureaucracy. Even after searching online, we still needed to talk to someone that is biased and that has either lived it or worked for the system. In our case, it was a question of advocating for our child's special educational needs. We reached Elise Davis and with her guidance, we were able to understand how the school system works.
We are grateful for the support and expertise she provided; it made all the difference in ensuring our child's success in the school environment.
- Gabriel and Geane
Education & school system navigator
Elise Davis, BAA, MHSc
Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Elise Davis has spent over a decade supporting her daughters' learning and has been successful in helping them to achieve personal and academic success. In the process, Elise has developed expertise in navigating the school and educational system that she can share with you.
Elise holds a master's degree (MHSc) in Community Health from the University of Toronto. She has worked on a staff and consulting basis in health policy and program development. Most recently she worked as a staff member at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) supporting trustees and the Chair of the Board in their work with the community, acting as a community liaison and providing support to parents.
Elise is active on social media and created the Willowdale Public Education Facebook group, as well as initiated and hosts a Facebook group for families at her daughter's previous TDSB high school. She is an Admin and active member of the IEP, Exceptional and Special Needs Students in Ontario Facebook group.
My Story
Through many years of active engagement in my daughters' education, I have learned a lot about navigating the education system and school issues -- and becoming my childrens' best advocate!. With the knowledge and expertise developed, I have been able to assist many parents facing challenges with their children's education, who are not sure what steps to take or what options are available.
I have extensive experience on social media related to education and school issues. Many parents have reached out to me for guidance on an education issue when they weren't sure what to do next. I have consistently heard feedback that talking through the issues with me and the insight and information I have sharehas been helpful.
That's how the idea for this education navigation service came about! I have been encouraged by many I have met through the years to set this up. My goal is to be available to support parents and their students in the education journey and tap into my experience and knowledge of the system. Supporting your journey to becoming your childs' best advocate at school!
I am excited to see how this"passion project" evolves and to help others with their challenges in navigating the education system and school issues. I look forward to connecting with you!
Get in Touch
Please use the contact form to request an appointment. You can also submit questions prior to booking through the form.
When requesting an appointment, please indicate preferred dates/times. Afternoon, evening, and weekend appointments are available. Elise will respond with a confirmed date and time.
A 20-minute free introductory call is available to see if it's a good fit, answer questions about my service/expertise, and help prepare for a consultation session.
I look forward to connecting with you!
Services & FEES
Elise is available for consultations by phone or video call. Appointments can be arranged by reaching out to Elise through the contact form, All consultations are confidential. Appointments are available afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
CONSULTATION SERVICE
Consultations include many services, including 2 meetings!:
1. FREE Discovery Call to identify the issues and how I can help
2. Research when needed to prepare for first consultation needed
3. Initial 1 hour Consultation meeting to learn more
and come up with strategies
4. Follow up email with links to useful resources
5. Follow up meeting of up to 1 hour provide support, review progress, discuss info sent in email and clarify future directions.
Your consultation appointment will be focussed on what YOU want to discuss and need help with! BONUS: Elise will follow up your initial consultation call with an email with relevant information and links to resources as appropriate, as above.
Consultation fees are as follows:
FREE 20 minute discovery call
Consultations: $150 -- including all of the above services ($85 payable after the first meeting, $65 payable after the follow-up meeting.)
Follow up meetings after initial consultation package -- $85/hour.
All payments by e transfer. Receipts can be provided. Sliding scale pricing is available upon request.
Additional Services
Elise is available for follow-up research and letter writing at a rate of $80/hour. Ask Elise at your consultation if interested in this service!