Maria Blaeuer

Maria Blaeuer is Director of Programs and Outreach at Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE), the District of Columbia’s federally designated Parent Training and Information Center. At AJE, in addition to providing parents with direct representation in school discipline and special education matters, she provides parent training and does systematic policy advocacy.

Prior to joining AJE, Maria spent most of her legal career in private practice focusing on special education law and the needs of students with disabilities in low-to-moderate income communities. As part of that practice, she has provided professional development and continuing education about special education to attorneys, teachers and other service providers in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Illinois and Pennsylvania. She brings a unique perspective to this role, having participated in the IEP and special education process as a student with an IEP herself, as a teacher of students with disabilities, as a parent, and, as an attorney for students and families.

She obtained her Bachelor’s degree with honors from Virginia Commonwealth University and earned her law degree from Howard University School of Law. Ms. Blaeuer is a native of the Washington D.C. region, and served as an appointed member Lawyer Assistance Committee of the D.C. Bar. She is also on the board of a small charter school serving at-risk, and over-age and under-credited, students in the District of Columbia.

Ms. Blaeuer lives near Montgomery County, MD’s agricultural reserve with her husband Brian, their 3 children, and the family’s cats, dogs, and numerous chickens.