Mary Jo Jewett,
Owner, Lead Advocate
Hi, I’m Mary Jo — owner and lead advocate of The IEP Guru, LLC, a special education advocacy practice serving families throughout Georgia. I help parents navigate IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, eligibility, services, accommodations, behavior and discipline concerns, and other special education issues so they can participate confidently and meaningfully in their child’s education.
From an early age, I knew my purpose was to help children with diverse abilities reach their fullest potential. My journey began at 15, when I started volunteering at a daycare for children with disabilities. I was hired as a staff member at 16 years old and worked there until I moved to attend college. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for supporting children and families.
I earned my Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University in 2004, followed by my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) in 2020. For more than 22 years, I’ve worked with children of all abilities—first in pediatric private practice and then as a school-based occupational therapist.
Over the years, I’ve attended hundreds of IEP meetings and witnessed firsthand how overwhelming the Special Education process can feel for parents. I see families who want to help their children but don’t know how to navigate the system—and I want to change that. That’s why I pursued advanced training in special education advocacy, became a Board Certified Education Advocate (BCEA) Fellow through NSEAI, earned Board Certification in Advocacy for Special Education (BCASE) through NASET, and founded The IEP Guru, LLC.
As both a school-based therapist and advocate, I bring a unique perspective that bridges understanding between families and schools. My goal is to educate, empower, and equip parents to feel confident as active members of their child’s education team. I believe collaboration—not conflict—is the key to success, and I’m here to make sure every child gets the support they need to thrive.
In English, a “guru” is someone with knowledge or expertise. I am The IEP Guru.
“If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn”
-Ignacio Estrada.
Catey Funaiock
Advocate
Hi, I’m Catey — a Special Education Advocate with The IEP Guru, LLC. I bring more than 15 years of experience supporting children with disabilities and their families across clinical, educational, and leadership settings. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia State University and began my career at the Marcus Autism Center, where I spent eight years working across several departments, including the Feeding Program. This experience gave me extensive knowledge of developmental differences, complex learning needs, and the supports children and families may need to thrive.
After my time at Marcus, I pursued a Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of North Dakota. While completing my graduate studies, an Atlanta-area public school district recruited me to open a K–2 adapted curriculum Autism classroom, where I spent eight wonderful years teaching and learning alongside my students. During my time with the school district, I also served as a district-level mentor teacher and graduated from the district’s Teachers as Leaders program.
In 2022, I joined Emory University as the Associate Director of Early Emory Inclusive Preschool and Pre-K, and in March 2025, I was promoted to Director. In my current role, I oversee four inclusive classrooms where children with and without autism learn and grow together. I’m deeply knowledgeable in Special Education, the IEP process, and passionate about helping families access the resources their children need to thrive.
Originally from Allen, Texas, I’ve called Atlanta home for most of my life. In my free time, I love traveling to warm beach destinations or peaceful cabin retreats, attending live music events, and spending time in my garden. I’m a proud aunt to two nieces and two nephews, a devoted dog mom to a one-eyed pit bull rescue, and an active foster volunteer with LifeLine Animal Project.
Katie Emert
Advocate
Hi, I'm Katie - I am a passionate special educator and advocate with a strong commitment to empowering families and helping children reach their fullest potential. I am a proud graduate of Michigan State University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education, with a major in Deaf Education and a minor in Language Arts. I also hold a master’s degree in Special Education, with a specialization in Deaf Education.
My love for American Sign Language (ASL) began in high school when I took it as a foreign language. What started as a class quickly became a passion! I completed four years of ASL in high school and continued with another four years in college, becoming fluent in the language.
For the past 10 years, I have taught Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) students in a large public school system. Through this experience, I have developed a deep understanding of special education, individualized instruction, and the importance of ensuring that every child has access to the services and supports they need to succeed.
I am dedicated to empowering families, advocating for children, and providing individualized support to help every child reach their fullest potential. I believe in building strong relationships with families and creating meaningful opportunities for children to grow, learn, and thrive. My passion for education comes from knowing that every child has unique strengths and abilities, and I love being part of their journey.
Outside of education, my greatest joy is spending time with my family and watching my children pursue the things they love. Being their biggest supporter and cheering them on in their passions is one of my favorite parts of life.
