Stephanie Knapp, CP
Principal Advocate
and Owner
Stephanie Knapp is a non-attorney advocate and certified paralegal in the state of Maryland.
A graduate of William & Mary Law School's Institute of Special Education Advocacy and Boston University's Paralegal Studies program, she is known for being a tenacious advocate who works hard to do what's necessary, and what's right, to assist children and their families.
After working in private practice for ten years, Stephanie decided to expand her efforts and open Advocates In Education, LLC. She currently provides advocacy services to families throughout the state of Maryland, and advocate consultative services and parent trainings, nationally.
Stephanie strives to give back to her community and is also a contributing member of the Council of Parents Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), National Association for Professional Special Education Advocates (NAPSEA), the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), and the Maryland Association of Paralegals (MAP).
Stephanie is a veteran advocate whose high degree of knowledge in special education law and history of working with attorneys, manifests in her display of effective negotiation strategies. She is an invaluable asset to any parent trying to get their child what they need in school.
Additionally, as the mother of two children with disabilities, Stephanie's personal experiences allow her to connect with families in a way that sets her apart from most. With her hard work, dedication, unique skill set, and experience, she is a highly sought-after advocate.
Dr. Emily Capolongo, EdD
Coordinator of Instruction and Transition Services
Emily Capolongo is our Coordinator of Instruction and Transition Services. She comes to AIE with experience as a special education teacher and has served students from infants to adults with a diverse array of disabilities.
Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education from High Point University, a Master’s degree in Severe Special Education with a specialization is Autism Spectrum Disorders from Boston College and is currently working on her dissertation to earn her doctoral degree in Special Education from The George Washington University.
Emily is very passionate about instilling self-determination skills and independence in a student’s life. She comes to AIE with experience in transitioning out of the public-school environment and into the community. Emily believes in collaboration with families, school team members and community leaders to provide successful and positive transitions into the community.
In the classroom, Emily further utilized her knowledge of autism spectrum disorder to initiate social skill groups with students and provided opportunities for students to engage with their peers. This further assisted in building self-determination within students and aided in their overall success.
After working in the classroom for several years in New England, Emily returned to school to pursue her doctoral degree at GWU. While at GWU, Emily both lectured and supervised students in the EBD teacher preparation program. She encouraged graduate students to build relationships with families to collaborate and work as a team to help their children succeed.
Emily is very passionate about special education. She strives to make sure all students have access to appropriate education and supports. Her knowledge and experience as a special educator and working in higher education will contribute to AIE’s mission in continuing to educate parents and providing instructional support to students.