Armstrong is a Board-Certified Advocate in Special Education and a recent graduate of the highly selective Partners in Policymaking program for the state of Florida. She graduated with her Masters in Communication Studies from Northern Illinois University and has worked in PK-12 and higher education in various settings for the majority of her 20+ year career.
As a former ADA/504 Coordinator at a college and current Director of Tutoring, she has worked with both child and adult students with disabilities and parents on 504, IEP, and Student Support Plans to include their initiation and management. As a mother of three, her youngest daughter further inspired her passion for supporting those with disabilities when was diagnosed with Autism just before the age of two. Armstrong experienced first-hand the significant benefits early intervention provided by Early Steps and PEEPs as well as other therapies had on her daughter and takes a proactive approach to support all families she works with. She is excited to join the Board of Directors at 21 & Change because she wants to serve an organization that provides similar special education advocacy support to additional families in need and because she wants to take an active role in promoting legislative changes that will benefit all Florida special education students and their families. Armstrong considers herself a lifelong student and seeks opportunities to further her professional knowledge in her spare time. She also enjoys traveling with her husband and family and spending quality time together.
“I was immediately attracted to 21&Change upon learning of the organization while attending Developmental Disabilities Day at the state Capitol in March. Personally, and professionally, I echo 21&Change’s mission to “champion inclusion, education, and human rights for people with developmental disabilities”. As a new member of the Board of Directors, I’m driven to take an active public role supporting our shared mission at the local, state, and national levels to further promote a positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and the community as a whole.”