Former teacher works as special education advocate

Years of experience as an educator and the desire to honor her late sister are two life experiences that influenced Robin Rettie to become a special education advocate.

Last spring, Rettie opened Lighthouse Learning and Resource to support teachers, parents and students in the special education spectrum.

"I love what I do," she said. "My goal is really to facilitate working relationships between parents and educators on behalf of the child."

In 1969, Rettie's sister, Laurie Lorraine Rettie, died after being institutionalized for a developmental disability.

"My dad was in the military, and when we left for Europe, we were told the best thing we could do would be to institutionalize her, because she would be cared for better," Rettie said. "That wasn't the case, but we didn't know that at the time."

In 1976—a year after the first special education law was passed—Rettie dedicated her time as a volunteer and eventually became a full-time employee to help deinstitutionalize patients into a residential setting.

"It was phenomenal," she said. "Laurie didn't have that chance."

Afterwards, Rettie went on to teach general and special education for more than 20 years. Through her own teaching experiences, she realized parents were not familiar with the special education system.

"[When] I helped them through the specialized education planning process, which we call an [admission, review and dismissal process], the educators and myself spoke a certain language the parents were unfamiliar with," Rettie said. "I came up with the idea that we needed a store so parents could come touch, live, feel and experience special education. I've always wanted to do something in my sister's honor, and that's how Lighthouse Learning and Resource was born—because it's the same initials as Laurie."

Carol Sue Podraza and her two special needs children work with Rettie in several capacities, ranging from involvement in workshops to personal advocacy.

"I am [Robin's] biggest fan," Podraza said. "There isn't anything she wouldn't do, research or try to find out about for someone."

Rettie combines advocacy, education and retail at her store, and works with anyone, regardless of age. Through her work as an advocate, Rettie works as an adviser for many parents in the area, including Birgit Fisher, the mother of two special needs children.

"She is very dedicated and I think she's smart as a whip," Fisher said. "What I find amazing is that she used to be a special [education] teacher, so Robin could have stayed a teacher and had summers and all the holidays off with a much higher salary than what she is doing now. To me, this is really a personal sacrifice she is making."