Sarah is an extraordinary advocate, and my family could not have been more fortunate for her guidance, expertise, and care while we were navigating a very difficult period during my son’s 11th grade year. Sarah was a steadfast voice of compassion as we attempted to figure out a course of action for how best to support my son during a prolonged and heartbreaking emotional crisis, which was intensified by his neurodivergent condition.
In my experience dealing with an underfunded school district, there is very little space to help kids who fall outside the margins, and our family would have felt completely alone if it were not for Sarah. Not only is she deeply knowledgeable about the legal rights of special-needs children within a school setting/learning environment, she is also fiercely committed to ensuring those rights and needs are met – from strategizing approaches and formal requests to following up to make sure the school and district are held accountable.
Most important of all, Sarah genuinely cares about kids, and my hope for all families sharing our experience is they have someone as extraordinary and dedicated as Sarah to advocate for them during their time of vulnerability and need.
Parent of a High School Student, Oakland Unified School District
We are so grateful for Sarah Vogelstein's knowledge, perspective, and empathy when it came to supporting our son through IEP meetings and more at OUSD. Sarah's understanding of the district's capabilities, the kind of supports we could ask for and which our child might need, and her deep and detailed knowledge of procedures and laws around access to education was enormously helpful when it came to seeking support for our child and making sure everything was a tight ship in our corner when we eventually hired an attorney and sought legal remedy. She helped us understand the capacities of different schools within OUSD and shared what she knew about private options that could offer more support. Even more than that, when we were at a point where everyone was treating our son as a problem they couldn't solve, when he was at a very low point in his ability to trust people or even leave the house, Sarah saw so much capacity and all his bright light. That helped all of us at a stressed and difficult time, and knowing that Sarah saw him as capable, saw us parents as asking for reasonable accommodations, and knew the right language in which to approach the district as our advocate at IEP meetings, in email communication, and in parent meetings was a huge support when we felt very lost and alone. Sarah is determined and confident, and knows what is right, but at the end of the day, it's knowing she's in your corner, whatever your decisions are that are in the best interests of your child, that make her an incredible advocate.
Parent of an Elementary School Student, Oakland Unified School District
Sarah is as caring as she is knowledgeable when it comes to special education. Working as our coach, Sarah fought for our rights as teachers, implementing policies that protect teacher and student rights that are maintained to this day. She made sure our students were in the least restrictive environments and learning alongside their peers. It is clear that Sarah has a moral compass and antiracist values that guide her decisions. She is dedicated to students and to teachers and has a clear understanding of disability, disability impacts, accommodations and rights. She has always made time for discussion of students and support of teachers and in analyzing, she is able to zoom out to look at systems and zoom in to give advice and next steps. As a coach, Sarah set up a weekly newsletter, was responsive and checked in often and also planned an education series for special ed teachers. I feel lucky to have worked with such a passionate coach when I entered OUSD.
Middle School Special Education Teacher, Oakland Unified School District
Sarah is an excellent educator and expert in a wide variety of Special Education pedagogy and policy. I not only learned so much while working with her, but our shared students did too. They thrived in her class and grew academically and socially. I value her expertise so much that I trusted her when I had questions about Special Education rights and services for a member of my own family. Sarah is smart, organized, and deeply kind. She is the kind of person that any parent, student, or teacher would want in their corner.
8th Grade Math Teacher, Oakland Unified School District