Meet
Kristin Meyer, Ed.D
Middle school, High school and adult transition specialist at The REACH Group
Dr. Kristin Meyer is an education consultant with over 15 years of experience strengthening the communication and collaboration that make the IEP process work for everyone involved. As the Middle School, High School, and Transition Specialist at The REACH Group, Dr. Meyer partners with districts and families across Pennsylvania to refine practices, improve listening and communication throughout the IEP process, and ensure that every student receives the appropriate support they are entitled to.
Dr. Meyer works directly with districts to examine and revise their current approaches — helping teams sharpen their craft, align with legal requirements, and build the kind of family-school partnerships that reduce risk and lead to better outcomes for students. Her work has helped districts across PA strengthen their IEP processes in ways that proactively address compliance concerns and lessen the risk of due process.
With a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University, Dr. Meyer’s research underscored the critical role that strong communication and genuine partnership play in effective special education. She holds certifications in Elementary and Special Education and a Supervisor of Special Education credential, giving her a grounded understanding of both program design and district-level compliance. Her work as a Fellow with the Pennsylvania Department of Education further informs her practice, connecting on-the-ground experience with broader policy and systemic change.
Areas of Expertise
*IEP Development and Compliance — ensuring individualized plans are legally sound, educationally meaningful, and built on strong team communication
*District Practice Review and Revision — partnering with districts to identify gaps, refine processes, and reduce due process risk
*Transition Planning — supporting middle and high school students in building pathways to life after graduation
*Family and District Communication — coaching teams and families toward clearer, more productive dialogue throughout the IEP process
*Autism Support and Behavioral Interventions — tailored to meet the needs of students across all levels of intensity
*Education Policy and Program Development — blending direct service experience with a policy-informed perspective
Dr. Meyer’s commitment to special education is grounded in years of direct work with students, families, and district teams across a wide range of needs and settings. She believes that when districts and families communicate well and trust the process, students thrive — and due process becomes far less likely. Whether working alongside a district to strengthen its practices or guiding a family through a complex IEP, her mission is the same: ensure every student gets what they need to succeed.
Districts and families looking for a knowledgeable, collaborative partner can rely on Dr. Meyer’s expertise and her practical, relationship-centered approach. Contact her today to learn how she can support your team or your child.
Dana Emery, M. Ed
Early Intervention and Elementary Specialist at The REACH Group
Dana is the Early Intervention and Elementary Specialist at The REACH Group — an educational consultant with over 20 years of experience in the education field and a deep commitment to helping districts and families work better together. Dana specializes in helping district staff and teachers listen to understand, fostering clearer communication and stronger collaboration that leads to better outcomes for every student.
Throughout her career, Dana has partnered with both families and district personnel to strengthen the practices, processes, and relationships that make special education work. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based methods and a firm belief that when teachers are well-supported and genuinely heard, they grow in confidence, refine their craft, and stay – reducing turnover and improving consistency for students.
A cornerstone of Dana’s work is helping teachers fine-tune their practice. Through targeted, evidence-based coaching and professional development, she gives educators the tools and support they need to serve their students more effectively – building confidence, sharpening skills, and creating the conditions for long-term retention.
With certifications in Regular and Special Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, Dana brings a breadth of perspective that spans the classroom, the IEP table, and district leadership. Her professional background includes roles as a Regular Education Teacher, Special Education Teacher, IEP Facilitator, and Special Education Manager – experience that allows her to meet teams and families wherever they are and address even the most complex educational and behavioral challenges with both expertise and empathy.
Formal Training
*Safety Care, CPI, and De-escalation Strategies
*Autism and Verbal Behavior (VB) Methodologies — Intensive Teaching Techniques
*Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA)
*Executive Functioning Development
*IEP Development, including SMART Goals and Progress Monitoring
*Special Education Law
*SCERTS
Areas of Expertise
Communication and Listening in the IEP Process — coaching district staff and families toward deeper understanding and more productive collaboration
Teacher Coaching and Retention — helping educators fine-tune their craft through targeted, evidence-based support that builds confidence and longevity in the field
IEP Development and Compliance — writing measurable goals, ensuring legal soundness, and building systems for meaningful progress monitoring
Early Intervention Transitions — guiding families and school systems through the EI-to-school-age transition with clear, structured processes
Verbal Behavior and Intensive Teaching — evidence-based techniques to support language and behavior development
Autism Supports and Inclusion — designing and implementing inclusive plans and autism-specific supports tailored to individual learners
Behavior Interventions — developing and implementing behavior intervention plans responsive to individual student needs
Progress Monitoring — analyzing data to track student growth and adjust instructional interventions when needed
Dana’s work is driven by a simple but powerful conviction: when district staff communicate well, teachers feel supported, and families are genuinely included in the process, students reach their full potential. That belief is at the heart of everything she does at The REACH Group.
