Sharon Tropf

Special Education Advocate

Sharon Tropf has practiced as a Special Education Advocate (non-attorney) in Northern Virginia for more than twelve years. Prior to joining Belkowitz Law, PLLC on July 1, 2018, Sharon was the owner of Advocating 4 Education, LCC.

Sharon assists families with all aspects of the special education process, including initial eligibility for special education, development of the Individualized Education Program (the “IEP”), school placement, and IEP implementation. Sharon also provides guidance and coaching to parents on interpretation of educational assessments and strategies to effectively and collaboratively work with the school to meet the unique needs of their child with special needs.

Sharon is a recognized speaker on special education and has participated in various workshops in the Northern Virginia area, such as “Ask the Advocate,” Advocacy presentations at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, Loudoun Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Group, and the Accessibility Leadership Summit.

Education and Training

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), B.S., 1982, Major: Business Management and Marketing

Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates Annual Conference (COPAA), 2007- Present

Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) Advocacy Symposium & Training Seminars, 2015-Present

Virginia Department of Education Parent Workshops, 2017, 2018

Accessibility Summit, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020

The William & Mary Law Institute of Special Education Advocacy, 2012, 2017

International Dyslexia Association Conference, 2010, 2013

Professional Associations

Autism Society: 2007 – Present

Council of Parents Attorney’s and Advocates (COPAA): 2007 – Present

Counsel of Exceptional Children: 2010 – Present

International Dyslexia Association: 2014 – Present

The Arc of Norther Virginia and Loudoun: 2000 – Present

Community Involvement

Decoding Dyslexia Virginia: Volunteer advocate, January 2017 to present

Loudoun County School Board Discipline Task Force: Member, 2013

Loudoun County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC): Member, 2009 – Present; Executive Board Member & Vice Chair of Membership, 2016-2018

Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC): Executive Board Member, 2017 – Present

Presentations

Presenter, Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs): Ensuring Best Practices, National Business Institute (NBI) Seminar - IEP and 504 Plan Legal Workshop, Webinar, September 21, 2021.

Presenter, From Identification to Advocacy: Becoming Your Child's Best Advocate, Verizon Communication Inc., Webinar, April 23, 2021.