Classes and Events
It all begins with an idea. A morning with coffee and questions. It turns into a passion. A place where knowledge and power share a cup of coffee or join for a cocktail. Just us every month for a Saturday morning coffee or for a Thursday evening discussion.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Monthly 90-minute Classes and Groups
Surround yourself with others who empower you while you join monthly 90-minute coffee or cocktail sessions to learn advocacy, negotiation, special education law, parenting, and navigating the education system for your child. We meet on Saturdays and Thursday evenings - check out the class schedule.
When you join you will find monthly links to your classes as well as topics that will be covered. We also add extras all the time so be sure to visit frequently and put us on your regular calendar.
You can simply listen to the class like you would a podcast or be an active participant. Your month, your schedule, and your needs - we know what it is like to have kids.
Social and Live Events
Get invites to social and live events with Catherine Michael, JD both virtual and in-person that are fully included in your membership. From back to school dinner events to a fun and carefree night of conversation - we want to be a community of support, friendship, and knowledge.
Our social events and live events are free for members and their families. So perhaps join us for a barbecue, a live speaking event, or a fun zoom party, your membership is a VIP pass.
Knowledge, Confidence, and Training
Actively learn, engage, practice, and gain skills. Our interactive classes are more than just a podcast, video, or book, they are made to engage you in learning - so you don’t just understand you know how to apply your knowledge.
We regularly have special guests, do breakout rooms for practice and discussion, and focus on engagement of our groups and classes.
“My goal was to bring you two decades of materials, knowledge, experience, and life lessons to every one of these classes that I have designed. Whether taught its taught by me, an experienced advocate, psychologist, education attorney, or medical provider, every one of these classes has been designed to maximize your knowledge and skill, while being affordable for your budget. I wanted to find a way to share my experience and knowledge in way that could give families everyone access to understanding education, advocacy, special needs parenting, gaining confidence, and self-care, without having to spend thousands of dollars. Whether you drop in one a month or once a week. ” Catherine Michael, JD
Please be sure to see our Terms of Use and Liability Disclaimer.
Our monthly classes.
Our classes are taught by education attorney and advocate Catherine Michael, J.D., or one of our many friends from various fields including therapists, psychologists, education attorneys, nurses, parent coaches, parents, and behavior specialists, depending on the subject matter. These are excellent places for parents and parent advocates to gain skills and information to step up their knowledge. You can participate, simply listen to a monthly podcast, or watch the recorded session at another time.
Classes range from IEP and advocacy masterclasses, negotiation, understanding special education law including the IDEA, Section 504, the ADA, and its components including FAPE and LRE, behavior plans and assessment, evaluations, present levels, ESY, therapeutic day and residential placements, and the IEP. These monthly masterclasses also include classes on self-care for parents, holistic care, parent advocacy, working with medical providers, healthcare and community resources, and building confidence. If you miss a class don’t worry - we make sure to have coverage of important topics multiple times a year and always include a video short.
Your subscription includes unlimited access to our monthly coffee and cocktail hours and materials all year long plus the social and live events for members. This is over 100 hours of education, training, and resources every year for about the same as sitting down with Catherine for one hour at her office.
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Coffee with Catherine, LLC
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Advocacy • Courage • Knowledge • Hope • Coffee with Catherine, LLC •
What People Are Saying
“Catherine Michael is a trail blazer. Her coffee classes have been invaluable to me as a parent of multiple foster children with disabilities. ”
— Kristi Cundiff
“Catherine’s help understanding the special education and the federal special education laws has been invaluable for a new parent like me. I am hopeful that I can avoid some IEP pitfalls by regularly attending our “Coffee” sessions!” - S. Williams
“Catherine Michael is one of the most passionate attorneys I have ever met. Being able to sit down with her for a glass of wine to discuss law, parenting and advocate is incredible.”
— Jessica W.
“I love your classes! Please make more available. Parents need them!”
Angela Roberts
“Catherine has been there for me and for so many others as an attorney. These classes bring her to my kitchen table as a friend.”
— Sarah Parks
Parenting is hard. While there is a lot of guidance out there there is nothing like this. Classes with Catherine over the past year have given me confidence, security and skill.
— K. Jefferson
“Catherine, why didn’t you come along sooner! As a former teacher, parent and now an advocate, I have been waiting for something like this a long time. Thank you so much for everything I have been learning over the past year! — J. Patel