Who We Are
Cicero’s Coalition is a community-driven organization made up of parents, educators, and advocates who believe that every child deserves meaningful, individualized support in school. Our team comes together with a shared purpose: to ensure students receive the services, collaboration, and care they need to succeed—both academically and beyond.
We combine the lived experiences of families with the professional insight of educators. This partnership allows us to understand school systems from the classroom to the kitchen table, and to support families with both compassion and practical expertise. We don’t just interpret the process—we stand beside parents and work with school teams to build solutions that truly fit each child.
Our Board
Our board represents a diverse group of stakeholders who understand education not just as a system, but as an individual experience for every child. As parents, we know the importance of feeling heard; as educators, we understand the complexity of school processes. By working together, we bridge the gap between schools and families—ensuring decisions are made with both insight and compassion.
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Rachel Caruthers, President
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Kristy Wilcox, Vice President
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Jennifer Briggs, Secretary
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Loren Reynolds, Treasurer
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Sarah Bell
A Message From Our Founder & Executive Director
As a former special education teacher working hand-in-hand with students, parents, and school teams, I’ve seen how powerful collaboration can be. When families and educators come together, share insight, and use data to guide decisions, students flourish. But I’ve also sat at tables where that collaboration was missing—where not every voice was recognized, and the people who knew the child best weren’t truly heard. No plan should ever be made without equal value placed on the perspectives of parents, teachers, and professionals who support a child every day. Every voice deserves to matter in every meeting.
My personal experiences helped shape Cicero’s Coalition long before I ever stepped into a classroom. I watched my mother—an educator herself—work to advocate for my brother, even having to seek support from Jackson because none was available locally. I also saw my father, whose middle name was Cicero, live with hidden disabilities and never get the support he needed to thrive. His story reminds me that many needs go unseen, while my mother’s story reminds me that families shouldn’t have to search hundreds of miles away for support.
Together, we can build something that lasts—something rooted in collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief in what our children are capable of. I felt called to start this movement, but I know it cannot grow without others who share the same heart for children and advocacy. My prayer is that it remains for years to come, so families are never left searching for help and educators are never left carrying the work alone. We are helping shape a child’s future today for a better tomorrow. As the next generation rises, they deserve every bit of support we can give.
Haley E. Lee, M.Ed
Founder & Executive Director
Cicero’s Coalition