Mary Jo Jewett,
Owner, Lead Advocate
Hi, I’m Mary Jo — and I’m passionate about helping families and educators work together to create the best outcomes for students with diverse learning needs.
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From an early age, I knew my purpose was to help children with diverse abilities reach their fullest potential. My journey began at the age of 15, when I began 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.
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I went on to earn my Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University in 2004 and later my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) in 2020. For more than 20 years, I’ve worked with children of all abilities—first in pediatric private practice and then as a school-based occupational therapist.
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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 became a Board Certified Education Advocate (BCEA) and founded The IEP Guru, LLC.
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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
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia State University. I began my professional career at the Marcus Autism Center, where I spent eight years working across several departments. My favorite role was in the Feeding Program, where I gained extensive experience supporting children with developmental differences and feeding challenges.
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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, I was recruited by an Atlanta-area public school district to open a K–2 Level 1 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.
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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.
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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.
