Garth Armit

I have been involved in Special Education for approximately 38 years, first as a classroom teacher and most recently as a Program Specialist. This experience is characterized by a combination of theoretical understanding and practical application of the principles of conflict resolution. In other words, I know what ADR looks like and I know how to effectively implement it in the educational arena. Prevention is the foundation for my work in conflict resolution. I believe the most effective way to prevent disputes from happening is to build relationships and open communication with all the participants, especially the parents of the children with special needs. I have demonstrated skills and experience in:

• collaborating with school staff and parents when disagreements arise
• building relationships between schools and families to prevent disagreements from beginning
• the strategies needed to resolve disagreements between school staff and families if they should arise
• training and coaching school staff and families in conflict resolution so they have the skills to work collaboratively to resolve misunderstandings
• working with advocates and attorneys representing children in the IEP and ADR process
• the different levels of the ADR continuum and what is needed to resolve disagreements at each level

During my career in the field of Special Education I have collaborated with school staff and families from many different socio-economic levels, cultural backgrounds and ethnicities. I understand that staff and families bring different opinions and insights to the education of a child with special needs. In my work with schools and families I strive to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the development of an appropriate educational program for a child with special needs. I sincerely believe that when all are valued then conflict is less likely to occur, can be resolved in more harmonious ways and the child becomes the ultimate beneficiary of the process.