As a teacher, Ms. Jonson saw firsthand how an appropriate educational program can help Special Needs children achieve their full potential.  As an administrator, she learned how effective advocates work together with school districts.  And as an attorney,  she now uses her practical experience working in school settings as well as her knowledge of educational law to help clients get the services they need.

In March 2010, Attorney Jonson will be presenting again at the Counsel of Parent Attorney and Advocates (COPAA) Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO.

Legal Experience:
Ms. Jonson has focused her law practice exclusively in the area of Special Education.  Prior to opening her own private practice, Ms. Jonson exclusively represented students with disabilities contracting to the Law Offices of Jennifer Laviano, LLC.

She has held several high profile legal internships. For the United States Department of Education, she handled discrimination complaints based on race, gender and disability in public schools and post-secondary institutions.  At Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP, Ms. Jonson prepared legal memoranda on variety of issues including special education and was responsible for intakes of prospective special education clients.  For the United States Attorney’s Office in Boston, MA, she interned for the Criminal Division, Major Crimes and Drug Task Force Unit. Her work there included preparation of legal memoranda as well as portions of an appellate brief for the First Circuit, affidavits, and opposition to motions filed.

Teaching and Administrative Experience:
As Director of Special Education at the Boston Renaissance Charter School, Ms. Jonson coordinated the special education program and 504 accomodation plans for students in kindergarten through 8th grades.  She maintained school compliance with state and federal statutes and personally trained and supervised special education teachers and staff, including in-service training.

Prior to this role, Ms. Jonson was a special education teacher at both the Charter School as well as the New England Center for Children in Southboro, MA.  She conducted assessments, , presented reports at PPT meetings, and created and implemented individual educational programs (”IEP’S”) for students with learning and behavioral disabilities.  Her tenure at the New England Center for Children focused extensively on students with severe developmental and behavioral disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders (”ASD’s”).  She specialized in creating and implementing individual programs using Applied Behavior Analysis techniques (”ABA”).

Education:
Ms. Jonson is a graduate of the Northeastern University School of Law and is currently admitted to the Connecticut State and Federal Bar.  She also holds a Master of Science degree in Education from Simmons College, with a focus on Intensive Special Needs and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Fairfield University.