Ali Apfel
Bio & Expertise: Ali is a special education advocate and admissions consultant who supports families navigating learning and school-related challenges. Ali graduated cum laude from Cornell University where she majored in Psychology, and went on to receive her Master's in Early Childhood Special Education from Hunter College. After over a decade working in schools as a teacher, Director of Special Education, Principal, and Superintendent, Ali recognized the critical gap in support for families navigating learning differences and school transitions.
In 2020, she founded Apfel Learning Partners, an educational consulting firm that specializes in supporting families. Specifically, Ali's practice works with families at critical juncture points in their child's educational journey. Apfel Learning Partners supports families from early milestones through middle and high school transfers, stepping in when early milestones aren't met and helping families adjust course throughout any year of schooling. Her process begins with a document review and classroom observation to deeply analyze each student's full learning profile and guide families accordingly. Her expertise spans referrals for evaluations, neuropsychological evaluation analysis, IEP process management and advocacy, educational program design, specialized school placement and admissions, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams. Ali functions as a "quarterback" for families, building and managing teams of professionals around each child at critical educational junctures.
Ali's work with families is sincere, direct, and effective—she synthesizes challenges, meets parents where they are, advocates without relenting, works seamlessly with schools and service providers, and ultimately changes the game for kids.
Outside of her practice, Ali loves spending time with her husband and their sons, and her six nieces and nephews. Yoga and pilates are core to her mental wellness and keep her calibrated and energized. Ali’s two boys are her pride and joy, and they motivate her daily to ensure all children have full access to their education and fall in love with school.
Fun Fact: Ali began her teaching career in an all-male, maximum-security prison.
Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, In-Person, Virtual
Website: www.apfellearningpartners.com