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Six years ago, GeorgiaCAN launched our Parent Fellowship program. GeorgiaCAN’s yearlong Parent Fellowship program focuses on providing parents with more in-depth training and experience in advocacy, policy and organizing. Fellows support community and civic engagement around education reform in Georgia, learn community organizing and communication skills and develop a broad understanding of education policy. We’re excited to share this year’s Parent Fellows.
Special Education and Augusta Parent Fellow
Patricia Sonnier
Patricia Sonnier has lived a life full of diverse experiences thanks to her military upbringing. Currently residing in Columbia County within the CSRA area, Patricia is well-acquainted with the public school system and its Special Needs Program, having been a part of it herself during her school years.
Married for 21 years, Patricia and her husband are parents to two wonderful children: a high school senior who attends a public school with dyslexia and a middle schooler who is autistic and attends a special needs private school. Patricia’s journey as an advocate began when she was supporting her husband in the military and working for Child, Youth, and School Services in the registration office, along with various other roles. It was during this time that she realized the necessity of streamlining the special needs process for military children.
Her advocacy became even more personal and urgent when she discovered that her child needed these services more than ever. After three challenging years of navigating the public school system and enduring the pandemic, Patricia faced a pivotal moment when the school she once loved no longer met her son’s needs.
GeorgiaCAN, along with the support of Steven, Kelly, and the dedicated volunteers and staff, played a crucial role in helping Patricia find a suitable school for her son, one where he felt safe and supported. This experience deeply influenced Patricia’s commitment to advocacy, driving her to ensure that no other parent feels alone in their journey.
Today, Patricia dedicates her time to various roles. She serves as a Parent Liaison at her son’s school, volunteers for the county 4-H program, and supports GeorgiaCAN with EPIC and other initiatives. As a special needs advocate, Patricia offers her assistance to CSRA area parents who reach out to her for help. Her days are often spent driving her children to their numerous activities, reflecting her dedication to both her family and her community.
Joining the 2024/2025 GeorgiaCAN Parent Fellowship is a humbling experience for Patricia. She sees it as an opportunity to continue her mission of supporting and empowering parents in the special needs community. Grateful for the platform GeorgiaCAN provides, Patricia is committed to being a voice for others and helping as many families as she can.
Patricia’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and community spirit. She believes that together, we can make a difference, and she is honored to be part of the fellowship, continuing her advocacy and support for families navigating the complexities of the special needs landscape.
Fulton County/APS Parent Fellow
Isaac Cook
Since the dawn of the new millennium, I have been on an inspiring journey dedicated to empowering and mentoring men, women & children. My commitment began while volunteer coaching on a popular AAU Brand right here in Atlanta GA, more affectionately known as Team Georgia.. One of our major goals was to foster athletic prowess and teamwork, while instilling hard work and discipline into every student athlete. Over the years, my passion for making a positive impact on young folks’ lives expanded to. leading collaborations with esteemed organizations such as the Partners In Change, The Black Man Lab, Save Our Selves, The Georgia Fatherhood Program, Shooters Paradise, and many more.
From grassroots coaching to strategic partnerships, my focus has been unwavering – to uplift and guide the next generation. Through my involvement with The Black Man Lab, I contributed to initiatives aimed at social awareness and community engagement. Working alongside The Georgia Fatherhood Program, I played a major role in addressing crucial welfare & parenting disparities, ensuring the mental & emotional well-being of every young father I was able to reach.
Parent Accountability Court became another avenue for my dedication, advocating for responsible fatherhood and nurturing environments for children. As the years unfolded, the scope of my work evolved, reflecting on a more holistic commitment to youth development encompassing athletics, social awareness, and familial bonds.
Cobb Parent Fellow
Loreal Burns
Loreal Burns is an avid supporter of the advancement of education, with over 25 years of dedicated service in public education and various nonprofit sectors. Her career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child has access to quality education, regardless of their background. As a mother of two dynamic girls, Loreal draws inspiration from her children, making them the driving force behind her relentless advocacy for fair and just educational opportunities.
Loreal’s extensive experience spans teaching, administration, and leadership roles within public schools and nonprofit organizations. She has been instrumental in developing and implementing programs that address the diverse needs of students, focusing on creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. Her work is characterized by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by students and educators alike, and a relentless pursuit of equitable solutions that empower all students to succeed.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Loreal is deeply committed to personal growth and enriching the lives of those around her. When she’s not engaged in her purpose-driven work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling to new and exciting destinations, and immersing herself in a good book. Loreal is also passionate about cooking and often experiments with new recipes, finding joy in creating delicious meals for her loved ones. Always eager to try something new, she embraces opportunities to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.
Loreal Burns is not only a leader in education and nonprofit sectors but also a devoted mother and lifelong learner.
DeKalb County Parent Fellow
Melanie Williams
Melanie is a Chef/Event Planner, Wife and parent. She has over 20 years of advocating and volunteering on behalf of children. Giving back and assisting the youth for the future is one of her many passions.
Clayton County Parent Fellow
Ophelia Nnorom
As a Trinidadian-American and passionate advocate for children, my goal is to empower parents to navigate the complex world of education and resources. Drawing from my personal journey, which started when my son was 5 years old, I plan to equip families through GeorgiaCAN with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively advocate for their children. My mission is to ensure every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive.
Gwinnett County Parent Fellow
Chelsea Hutchings
Chelsea is a mom of five children in Sugar Hill. Over the last year, she has led dialogue about inclusion and special education. Recently she worked with the city of Sugar Hill to launch a task force to find ways to ensure the city is intentionally inclusive.
Macon/Bibb County Parent Fellow
Farryn Slaton-Barkley
Farryn Slaton-Barkley is a dual enrollment instructor and teacher support coach with Bibb County Public Schools. She supports students of all backgrounds to obtain college credits. She is an advocate for disabled children and school choice.